Steamboat Journey: Commemorating 214 years of navigation on the Western Rivers, recalling the nostalgia of bygone eras
The Western Rivers - the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and their tributaries - have been home to a unique and significant chapter of American history for 214 years. Steamboating, which began on these waters, played a crucial role in opening vast inland waterways to commercial and passenger navigation, fueling economic growth, settlement, and cultural development along these major rivers.
Today, the legacy of steamboating lives on with a few authentic steam-powered paddlewheelers carrying excursionists to relive the classic "Mark Twain experience." Notably, the Steamers NATCHEZ in New Orleans and the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE on the Ohio River offer nostalgic cruises, transporting passengers back in time. Soon, the NASHVILLE (formerly the JULIA BELLE SWAIN) and the diesel-powered CAPITOL (formerly the BELLE OF PEORIA) will also provide riverboat passenger service on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee.
Historically, steamboats were instrumental in commerce, military supply, and migration in regions like the Missouri and Ohio rivers, and in river towns such as Marietta, Ohio, which was a hub of steamboat building and river industry. The ongoing preservation of steamboats, museums, and excursions helps keep this important chapter of American river history alive.
One such storyteller is Captain Don Sanders, a river man with a 65-year adventure. Captain Sanders began his commercial river career aboard the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE as a 17-year-old lad in 1959. He has since become a captain in the USAF, an adventurer, a historian, and a storyteller. His book, "The River: River Rat to Steamboatman, Riding 'Magic River Spell' to 65-Year Adventure," is now available for purchase.
In his book, Captain Sanders shares his stories of growing up in Covington and his experiences on the river. He also shares stories from his conversations with Captain Clarke C. "Little Doc" Hawley, a name that will be discussed among the steamboat clan on the Middle Ohio River at Falls City later today.
This Sunday, the Howard Steamboat Museum is presenting a program entitled, "River Ramblings 2025: What Does It Take to Run a Steamboat?" It promises to be an insightful event for those interested in the history and mechanics of these iconic vessels.
Overnight steamboat passenger-carrying operations on the Western Rivers ceased in 2024 with the shutdown of the AMERICAN QUEEN. However, today, the Steamer BELLE of LOUISVILLE offers a two-hour ride up the Ohio River and back, providing a taste of the classic steamboat experience.
For those who appreciate American river history, "The River" by Captain Don Sanders is a must-read. The 264-page hardback is filled with riveting storytelling and hundreds of pictures from his collection. It is historically significant and is perfect for the collections of every devotee of the river.
As we celebrate 214 years of steamboating on the Western Rivers, let us remember the role these vessels played in shaping the history and culture of our nation. Their legacy continues to live on, carrying us back to a time when the "magic river spell" was a reality for many.
- Captain Don Sanders, a native of Covington, recounts his river experiences in his book "The River", which offers an insightful look into the history and mechanics of steamboats on the Western Rivers.
- In Covington, Kentucky, the Howard Steamboat Museum is hosting a program, "River Ramblings 2025: What Does It Take to Run a Steamboat?", this Sunday, promising valuable information for those interested in the history and operation of steamboats.
- Despite the 2024 shutdown of overnight operations on the Western Rivers, the Steamer BELLE of LOUISVILLE in Louisville, Kentucky, still offers a two-hour ride up the Ohio River and back, providing a taste of the classic steamboat experience.
- Notably, the Steamer NATCHEZ in New Orleans and the BELLE of LOUISVILLE on the Ohio River are popular choices for those wishing to relive the classic "Mark Twain experience" on authentic steam-powered paddlewheelers.
- Today, the legacy of steamboats, a crucial part of the unique chapter of American history on the Western Rivers for 214 years, is preserved through museums, excursions, and stories told by captains like Captain Don Sanders.
