Warren County
Local History by Dallas Bogan |
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Dallas Bogan on 19 September 2004 |
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original article by Dallas Bogan |
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The writer has always been fascinated by river traffic and has often found
himself sitting along the Ohio River bank in the Cincinnati area simply watching
the watercraft going up and down this historic waterway.
Due to simpler transportation methods, such as the vast trucking and rail systems,
the great river infrastructure has taken second place and seems to concentrate
on hauling heavy freight.
This has not always been the case. The steamboat, in the early days of river
traffic, traveled the great Mississippi River valley system for passenger and
trade purposes. Secondary water passages such as the Ohio, Missouri, Illinois,
White, Arkansas, and Red, were a significant part of this network.
Before the steamboat era, river traffic downstream had always been cheap and
easy, the different type boats simply drifting with the current.
I have at another time written about the flatboats and their necessity concerning
the migration of the pioneers and the transportation of their merchandise.
Products of the Miami Valley were shipped downstream, via the Great and Little
Miami River systems, to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and eventually down
to New Orleans.
While researching this subject, I found the first recorded exports down the
Mississippi were in the first half of 1801. From January 1 to June 30, 1801,
goods were transported in 450 flatboats, 20 keelboats and 7 large canoes.
Twenty-five different types of cargo were recorded in this vast enterprise,
the largest being flour, cordage (ropes and cords), and meats and skins, respectively.
Also included were whiskey, peach brandy, cider, lard, iron nails, soap and
ten pairs of millstones.
The number of flatboats on the western rivers increased until after the War
of 1812. On the Ohio River in the first months of the winter of 1810-11, there
passed over the falls at Louisville Ky., 197 flatboats and 14 keelboats.
The "Despatch," a steamboat built around 1817, recorded on a voyage
of 25 days from Natchez to Louisville that it passed 2,000 flatboats going down
stream; no record was made during the night trip.
The sight of several flatboats being fastened together was not uncommon. One
gentleman recorded on one occasion that he was on board a fleet of eight flatboats
moving together in a way that resembled a kind of floating town. He could travel
over the roofs and take a sizable walk.
Bartering was the main feature on the trip southward. Each flatboat carried
different consignments. On one craft hogs were killed, and on another limited
amounts of whiskey were bargained for. A dry goods store was in operation on
one of the boats and stopped at different towns to trade.
Our story teller relates that at one point 100 boats would land at New Madrid
in a single day and would cover several acres. At dawn the next morning, all
would be underway.
The Ohio was the main tributary of the Mississippi River system. At the height
of river traffic Cincinnati was considered the nucleus of all ports. It was
centered in the richest agricultural district in the West, the Miami Valley.
During the War of 1812, the city annually exported several thousand barrels
of flour.
Large droves of hogs were moved to the city to be slaughtered and shipped down
river. Because of the many pork-packing facilities, Cincinnati was accordingly
called "Porkopolis."
Flatboats did not return up river. One estimate revealed that for a period of
several years, 500 persons descended the river from Cincinnati to New Orleans
with their loads and returned by foot.
At a later time, the introduction of larger craft resulted in a vessel called
a barge. It could be maneuvered upstream by means of oars, poles and ropes.
Sails were used when the winds were right.
Freight was transported up the river systems from New Orleans rather than over
the mountains of the East. Barges could normally make two round trips from this
southern city annually. Cargo would consist mainly of sugar, cotton, molasses,
and coffee.
Keelboats were built not only to descend but also ascend the river, this type
craft appearing at the end of the 18th century. As the name implies, it was
fitted with a keel that also had a pointed bow and stern. Sail, oars or poles
provided propulsion, the latter being most common in a shallow river such as
the Great Miami.
On the top end of the pole was fitted a shoulder piece, while the opposite end
was ironshod for digging into the riverbed or bank. Polers pushed in relays
while walking along planks mounted on the gunwales (the upper edge of the side
of the boat).
A more practical method was needed to transport freight up the numerous waterways.
The invention of the steam engine, and eventually the steamboat, elevated river
traffic to great heights, and in the process, eliminated the labors of the past.
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This page created 19 September 2004 and last updated
28 September, 2008
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