Richard V. Elliott
Description
Detailing the histories of 28 vessels, the second volume of The Boats of Summer spotlights the New York Harbor and Hudson River summertime excursion s
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teamboats of the twentieth century.
During the golden age of steamboating, summer life in New York City meant climbing aboard a grand steamer for a daytime excursion. Drawing on a lifetime of investigation by author Richard V. Elliott with assistance from other prominent maritime historians, this meticulously researched maritime history features - steamboat profiles that include physical descriptions, a rundown of routes and destinations, and tales of mishaps;
- histories of passenger steamers spanning from 1901's Thomas Patten through the region's last paddlewheeler, the Alexander Hamilton, as well as a few diesel-powered vessels that closed out the excursion era in the late 1980s;
- spotlights on well-known vessels as well as many lesser-known excursion steamboats that are described in detail here for the first time;
- rare historical images and paintings by noted maritime artist William G. Muller;
- explorations of Coney Island, Playland, and the beach resorts, picnic groves, and other recreation destinations where the vessels delivered millions of passengers; and
- a look at the vessels' key role in water parades and other major celebrations in New York Harbor.
Embark on a nostalgic journey into New York's maritime past with this look at the excursion steamboats that captured the hearts of generations of New Yorkers and visitors. Full steam ahead!
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