Even though most canal boats are registered and have names, when it comes to documenting their use as 'abolition boats' the stories usually do not include the vessels name. It is a rare occurance when you can tie a canal boat to aiding freedom seekers. As an example check out North into Freedom the Autobiography of John Malvin published by the Western Reserve Historical Society. John was a black man and the captain and owner of a canal boat on the Ohio Canal between Cleveland and the Ohio River. He was an abolitionist for he worked to assist in the defense of a number of captured freedom seekers in Cleveland, and a good friend of Frederick Douglas. Yet his autobiography does not say much about actually using his vessel to help others escape. There is not alot of documentation on the subject. Out on the Great Lakes on the other hand there is a bit more to the puzzle. The marine record that recorded arrivals and departures for the Port of Cleveland July 21, 1846 noted the arrival of the steamboats - Troy - Capt. Atwood; Buffalo - Capt. Titus; Great Western - Capt. Walker; Rochester - Capt. Folger, Chesapeake - Capt. Kelsey; Madison - Capt. McFadyen; and the Indiana - Capt. Pheatt. Of the seven steamboats that came to port that day six of the vessels have either the captain or the owner directly linked to assisting freedom seekers across the lakes. I spent more than ten years drawing connections between vessel black and white owners, captains, and black and white crews who worked the nautical extension of the underground railroad. I just finished a manuscript and submitted it to Wayne State Press so hopefully in the coming year you will be able learn more about the 'abolition boats' on the Great Lakes.