Steamboats are vessels powered by steam engines that revolutionized river travel during the 19th century. They were faster than traditional sailing ships and played a vital role in improving transportation and trade along major rivers.
Related terms
Erie Canal: A famous canal connecting Lake Erie with New York City, which greatly facilitated trade between the Midwest and Northeast.
Robert Fulton: An influential engineer who developed commercially successful steamboat designs, including his most famous vessel named Clermont.
Mississippi River: A major river in North America where steamboat traffic flourished, contributing significantly to commerce and settlement in its surrounding areas.