Preserving the History of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington

Contact us at friendsofthelocks@gmail.com

Monday, August 22, 2011

Ballard Locks Closed Tuesday August 23, 2011

Both locks will be closed to boat traffic August 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for regular inspection of the salmon exclusion structure.

Also posted by @ChittendenLocks and MyBallard.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

100 Years Ago This Month: Major Cavanaugh Begins Work in Seattle

August 1, 1911 – Major James Bates Cavanaugh is assigned to the Corps of Engineers Seattle District to oversee the construction of the locks and the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

It was Maj. Hiram M. Chittenden whose vision and political skills resulted in the placement of the locks at Salmon Bay, however he had to take early medical retirement in 1909. Major C.W. Kutz served as head of the Seattle District until Cavanaugh was appointed in 1911.



James Bates Cavanaugh's West Point Graduation photo, Class of 1892.

Major Cavanaugh was then working in Washington D.C. as Assistant to the Chief of Engineers. He had graduated first in his class from West Point Military Academy (1892) and was an extremely capable and well-respected officer. He had worked on many river and harbor projects around the country, as well as teaching Field Engineering at the Post School for Officers. He was selected for the Seattle assignment, not only for his technical experience, but his proven diplomatic skills that were needed to complete this enormous engineering project.

In March 1915 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel; then in April 1917, with the United States now involved in World War I, he was assigned to command the 18th Engineers at American Lake, WA (now Joint Base Lewis/McChord) and promoted to Colonel prior to sailing for France in July 1917. Cavanaugh House is named in his honor.


Information for this article was gathered from the U.S.Military Academy/West Point and the Seattle District Army Corps of Engineers.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Audio Tour of the Locks

The US Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District enters the podcasting world with this audio tour of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Look for more audio tours from the district in the future.

US Army Corps of Engineers Audio Tour of the Locks
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages and operates 192 navigational lock sites home to 237 lock chambers across the nation. The Northwestern Division has 10 of those lock chambers. Each year more than 40,000 vessels pass through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in the Seattle District. Come and experience a tour with our audio podcast. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.