How Paddleboats Romance Our History

When you see a paddle boat riverboat what emotions do you feel?  For most people there's a twinge of romance and history that combine within their souls.  Why is that?
Just the sight of a large boat on an American rivers as early as the late 1700's sparked excitement.  What most people don't realize is this type of transport ship was invented as early as the 4th and 5th century by the Romans.  Initially using human (slave) power to turn the enormous side paddle wheels, they wisely moved to powerful oxen below the deck to power these bulky and intimidating warships.
For the U.S. era it was the combination of the invention of the steam engine to adapt to various paddle boat designs that heralded a completely new era.  Paddle boats typically only have a quarter of their paddles below the water at once time.  Their low depth allows much more travel reach in shallow waters.
For the first time it mean heavy bulky commodity products like flour, wheat and iron ore could now reach new ports being opened. Transporting larger numbers of people greater distances meant more commerce, opportunity and adventure.
Being designed as a ferry even horses and wagons caught a break before being deployed for the overland trails to the new ever expanding western edges of our nation.
During that era newspapers and authors like Mark Twain wrote eloquently of great successes and peril on American Rivers.  The Mississippi Steamboat era was captured most famously with Civil War battles fought regularly around it bringing even more of the nation's attention to it.
Today, there are several featured paddle boat tour boats that bring back that same sense of history and romance.  Find one near you and take a trip back in time.
We feature a special one today as part of our intro of the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport PA.


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