The average size of the cabins on the boats of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was 10 by 12 feet. All cabins had two bunks, one set into the inner wall of the main cabin and the other located in the so-called stateroom, which was partitioned off from the main cabin by a diagonal wall. (See Fig. 5.) These bunks were 36 inches wide, sufficient space for one person but ordinarily occupied by two. In addition to the cabin bunks, the feed box extending across the deck at the center of the boat was ordinarily used for sleeping purposes. This box was 4 feet wide and 4 feet high, and with blankets spread over the hay and other feed it provided a fairly comfortable bed, used in some cases by the deck hands and occasionally by the children. Often in hot weather the floor of the deck was used as a bed, but some mothers stated that they were afraid to let the chilflrcn sleep away from the cabin.
In spite of the narrowness of the berths, the cabins were ordinarily regarded by the families as providing sleeping space for four persons. To these may be added two places in the feed box, making a maximum accommodation of six places. Of the 41 families visited, however, 10 had from 7 to 10 members, and 19, almost half, had more than 4 persons. Possibly the most distressing instance of congestion existed in a family of 9. The mother said she made a bed for the children on the floor, but "when you get seven down there, there ain't room left to walk around without stepping on them." The floors of the cabins were frequently left bare, although 14 families reported linoleum coverings. One family stated that it was impossible to use any sort of covering as the floors leaked and were always damp.
The accompanying plan shows that the stove occupied a place in the main cabin near the steps to the deck. Coal was ordinarily burned in these stoves and in several instances the family reported that the fire was kept through the night. One mother spoke of the heat of the cabin as being almost unendurable. Practically every boat was provided with a heavy canvas awning and in pleasant weather the boat family spent most of the day on deck. (See Fig. 6.)
Water for drinking and for cooking purposes was secured from springs along the canal and stored in barrels or kegs; for washing, the canal water was used. In no instance had it been piped into the cabin as in some of the boats on New York canal. Toilet facilities were entirely lacking. Cabin windows were not screened and in some places, especially at terminals, the families wore troubled by flies. Most families complained of mosquitoes. Food supplies could be secured at any town along the canal; but the families agreed it was better to "stock up" at Georgetown, as the stores in the smaller places charged much higher rates. No family reported the regular use of fresh milk. Most families reported that they could get milk at the locks or at farm houses, but not for daily use. None of them had refrigerators, though many were in the habit of betting small pieces of ice to cool drinking water.
Pive captains lived the year round on their boats, one having lived on his boat for 18 years. All the other families visited maintained homes on land. The dwellings were chiefly small detached wooden houses, some being built of logs. None of them had modern conveniences in the way of inside plumbing. Nearly all, however, were located in or near towns along the canal within one mile of schools.