Episode 50: The Dark Side of Steamboat Travel: The Disasters that Claimed Thousands of Lives on the Mississippi River

Steamboats revolutionized travel, dramatically shortening the time it took to get from place to place. When we think of the peak period of steamboat travel, we often picture images of tall boats with lacy trim and passengers dressed in finery relaxing in elegant lounges. But those steamboats were also prone to catastrophic failure that

By |2024-10-21T08:35:50-05:00October 9th, 2024|Podcast|Comments Off on Episode 50: The Dark Side of Steamboat Travel: The Disasters that Claimed Thousands of Lives on the Mississippi River

The Sea Wing Disaster

In 1888, well after the peak of the steamboat era, David Niles Wethern and Marion Sparks invested in a new sternwheel steamboat to ply local routes. The Sea Wing stretched 135 feet long and 22 feet tall and was based on the Mississippi River at Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin. Both men piloted the boat, which

By |2018-10-09T18:01:56-05:00October 9th, 2018|About the Mississippi Valley|Comments Off on The Sea Wing Disaster

Hannibal

Hannibal draws a lot of tourists eager to step into the world created by Mark Twain, which is a remarkable thing considering he wrote about a world that existed (more or less) 150 years ago. Hannibal has a lot of Twain to offer, but it's also an old river town worth getting to know on its own merits.

By |2024-05-27T08:54:53-05:00August 18th, 2018|Missouri|Comments Off on Hannibal

Jacobson

Population (2010) Unincorporated Introduction The unincorporated village of Jacobson acquired its name through habit and repetition rather than any formal process. It was built along what was once a popular route traveled by fur traders and Indians, along the Swan River to the Mississippi River. History

By |2024-05-27T11:51:10-05:00November 27th, 2015|Minnesota|Comments Off on Jacobson

Picture of the Day: American Queen’s Paddlewheel in Motion

The paddlewheel of the American Queen (photo taken Aug 2013). See more pictures here. The paddlewheel of the American Queen

By |2016-10-21T15:28:03-05:00October 15th, 2015|Photo of the Day|Comments Off on Picture of the Day: American Queen’s Paddlewheel in Motion
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