This is a history of the development and uses of boats, ships, and rafts, from birch-bark canoes to luxury liners.

Considered among the finest photographs of the Mississippi ever taken, 170 recently discovered photographs offer vivid, detailed, beautifully composed images of major steamboats, picturesque river towns, landings, floods, cargoes, great waterway itself. Detailed, informative text. Index. Bibliography. Preface.