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Steamboats
The era of steamboats began in 1787 when John Fitch mada the first successful forty-five foot steamboat. Fitch also built a larger vessel that carried passengers and cargo. He was granted his first United States patent for a steamboat ion August 26, 1791. -
Advantages
The Louisiana purchase gave the United States a large part of the Louisiana Territory and New Orleans. The rivers flowing provided a way for settlers to move west. Cities along the river made transportation and trade easier. -
Boats to Trains
Steamboats began to have competition from railroads. There were only 23 miles of track in the United States. Even though this wasn't much 50 years later there were 93,00 miles of track. Eventually, the use of steamboats faded away. -
Railroad transportation
Railroads provided a quick and year round, scheduled service. They were less hazardous way of transportation. MA, NY, SC, and PA charted railroads. -
Disadvantage
Disadvantages of traveling on a steamboat were Indian attacks, explosions, and sinkings. Some steamboats coud travel up to five miles per hour and dominated the waterways. They soon revolutionized river travel and trade.
