James B. Irvine was president of the Board of Tennessee Canal Commissioners. This board was established by the Ala. legislature in 1830 to oversee improvements to Muscle Shoals and Colbert Shoals in the Tennessee River. Although construction of a canal was completed around 1838, it did not improve some areas above and below the canal which were dangerous to navigate. In spite of requests by the board for money to correct the problems above and below the canal, the legislature appropriated no further funds to the project. Because of these unimproved sections, the canal was not used for commercial purposes and fell into disrepair. Further work on the canal would not be done until the 1870s.
From the description of Maps of the Muscle Shoals Canal between Lamb's Ferry and Campbell's Ferry with profiles and cross-sections on which the canal will pass as located by order of the Board of Tenn. Canal Commissioners. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122558130
