Alfred Barrett
Encyclopedia
Alfred Barrett was born in New England
. He was an engineer by training.
In about 1818, Barrett began working on the engineering staff that was constructing the Erie Canal
in New York State. He rapidly gained experience and was an accredited engineer by 1821. The project was completed in 1825.
In 1824, the Erie project was visited by William Hamilton Merritt
and he likely recruited Barrett as resident superintending engineer of the Welland Canal
. Over the course of his career, he worked on a variety of important projects including the Lachine Canal
improvements and resident engineer on the Erie.
His professional achievements were of high importance to the development of the economy of this North American area. His early death cut short a highly productive and important engineering career.
He died in Montreal
of cholera.
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. He was an engineer by training.
In about 1818, Barrett began working on the engineering staff that was constructing the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
in New York State. He rapidly gained experience and was an accredited engineer by 1821. The project was completed in 1825.
In 1824, the Erie project was visited by William Hamilton Merritt
William Hamilton Merritt
William Hamilton Merritt was an influential figure in the Niagara Peninsula of Upper Canada in early 19th century and one of the fathers of the Welland Canal....
and he likely recruited Barrett as resident superintending engineer of the Welland Canal
Welland Canal
The Welland Canal is a ship canal in Canada that extends from Port Weller, Ontario, on Lake Ontario, to Port Colborne, Ontario, on Lake Erie. As a part of the St...
. Over the course of his career, he worked on a variety of important projects including the Lachine Canal
Lachine Canal
The Lachine Canal is a canal passing through the southwestern part of the Island of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, running 14.5 kilometres from the Old Port of Montreal to Lake Saint-Louis, through the boroughs of Lachine, Lasalle and Sud-Ouest.The canal gets its name from the French word for China...
improvements and resident engineer on the Erie.
His professional achievements were of high importance to the development of the economy of this North American area. His early death cut short a highly productive and important engineering career.
He died in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
of cholera.