New York State Advisory Board of Consulting Engineers Correspondence Files

B0225-83: Chronological.

B0225-15: Numerically by document number, which corresponds roughly with chronological order.

The Advisory Board of Consulting Engineers was created by the Barge Canal Act in 1903 (Chapter 147). The members consisted of five expert engineers appointed by the Governor. The duties of the board, as outlined in the Barge Canal Law, were purely advisory, and it had no authority by law to compel acceptance of its suggestions. In practice, though, its opinions were almost always followed and important questions were submitted to the board for consideration. Two amendments to the Barge Canal Act passed in 1907 and 1908 formalized the duties and authority of the Advisory Board, which brought it into close contact with both the prospective and actual construction of the Barge Canal. The Advisory Board of Consulting Engineers continued its work until 1911 when it was abolished (Chapter 736) and superseded by the Board of Consulting Engineers.

This series consists of both outgoing and incoming correspondence as well as photographs, reports, blueprints and maps generated by and directed to members of the Advisory Board of Consulting Engineers. The correspondence addresses detailed and technical questions concerning the construction and location of the Barge Canal as well as general, administrative subjects.

Included among the files are copies of the board's resolutions sent to the State Engineer and Surveyor. These resolutions outline specific actions to be taken by the State Engineer and Surveyor's office. Collectively, the correspondence files contain a large amount of information regarding the problems faced by the state in building the Barge Canal, as well as the methods and materials employed in accomplishing the task.

B0225-15: This accretion contains incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Advisory Board, mostly directed to or written by Chairman Edward A. Bond, regarding plans for canal construction and improvement. Most documents in the series were created between 1909 and 1911, when the Advisory Board was abolished. Correspondence includes messages to and from the office of the State Engineer and Surveyor, as well as other state officials, contractors, and local interest groups. The accretion also includes some blueprints, work orders, and contracts for canal construction and expansion projects, though much of the supplemental material appears to be missing from cover letters. Most correspondence concerns administrative issues and detailed technical information related to the design, location, construction, and use of canals.

B0225-15: This accretion was identified in June 2011 during a project by State Archives staff to accession unidentified records.

B0225-15: These records have been treated for mold; some researchers may be affected. Selected records are not available for use due to their fragile condition.