Austrian Efforts to Improve Water Transport in Eighteenth-Century Transylvania

This study focuses on the efforts of the authorities regarding the improvement of water transport. Their actions serve as backdrop for the wood crisis and local issues, such as the interests of local noblemen and the technological knowledge of those involved. The major innovation with regard to water transportation was the rethinking of transportation by ship. Due to the wood crisis, the authorities encouraged the use of softwood for building ships. This change prompted a transfer of technical staff from Upper Austria. This article deals with the activities of Transylvanian navigation engineers. It describes how the building of new salt ships was planned and started in 1778. The building of new ships also entailed dredging the River Mureş and changing it course.

Source: Rus D.-I. (2018) Austrian Efforts to Improve Water Transport in Eighteenth-Century Transylvania. Terra Sebvs. Acta Mvsei Sabesiensis. 10: 129-153

Source web-site: https://www.cclbsebes.ro/docs/Sebus_10_2018/07_D_I_Rus.pdf