In the latter half of the 19th century when the railways came into existence, the significance of waterways as inland trade routes declined, as the railways were faster and safer.
Water transportation upon our inland waterways has not been encouraged, the limitation of our coastwise trade is threatened by the administration of the act.
Bridges, roads, waterways, railways, electricity stations, government buildings and even hospitals have been destroyed, not to mention the dead, coyly referred to as collateral damage, or their families.
