Sidewheeler Collection

Steamboat pier, New York City - Families boarding an excursion steamer on the East River, 1870s
NWI4760114 Steamboat pier, New York City - Families boarding an excursion steamer on the East River, 1870s.; (add.info.: Steamboat pier)

City of Erie (Pennsylvania), c1900. Creator: William H. Jackson
City of Erie (Pennsylvania), c1900

Put-In-Bay, the Kirby, between 1880 and 1899. Creator: Unknown
Put-In-Bay, the Kirby, between 1880 and 1899

Str. Mt. Washington leaving wharf at Weirs, Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H. (1906?). Creator: Unknown
Str. Mt. Washington leaving wharf at Weirs, Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H. (1906?)

Str. Mt. Washington landing at Weirs, N.H. c1906. Creator: Unknown
Str. Mt. Washington landing at Weirs, N.H. c1906

Str. Kirby landing, Put-in-Bay, O[hio], c1904. Creator: Unknown
Str. Kirby landing, Put-in-Bay, O[hio], c1904

Str. Horicon leaving dock, Lake George, N.Y. c1904. Creator: Unknown
Str. Horicon leaving dock, Lake George, N.Y. c1904

Str. Tashmoo, St. Clair Flats, Mich. between 1900 and 1920. Creator: Unknown
Str. Tashmoo, St. Clair Flats, Mich. between 1900 and 1920

Str. Tashmoo at Tashmoo Park, St. Clair Flats, Mich. between 1900 and 1920. Creator: Unknown
Str. Tashmoo at Tashmoo Park, St. Clair Flats, Mich. between 1900 and 1920

Steamer City of Cleveland, broadside, 1907. Creator: Unknown
Steamer City of Cleveland, broadside, 1907

Steamer "City of Cleveland", stern view showing construction, 1907. Creator: Unknown
Steamer "City of Cleveland", stern view showing construction, 1907

Steamer City of Cleveland, 1907. Creator: Unknown
Steamer City of Cleveland, 1907

Steamer City of Cleveland, 1907. Creator: Unknown
Steamer City of Cleveland, 1907

Steamer City of Cleveland, 1907. Creator: Unknown
Steamer City of Cleveland, 1907

The River from the viaduct, Cleveland, O[hio], (c1905?). Creator: Unknown
The River from the viaduct, Cleveland, O[hio], (c1905?)

City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907. Creator: Unknown
City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907

City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907. Creator: Unknown
City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907

City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907. Creator: Unknown
City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907

City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907. Creator: Unknown
City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907

City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907. Creator: Unknown
City of Cleveland, Steamer #168 on the ways, 1907

Steamer New York passing through Highlands, Hudson River, N.Y. between 1900 and 1908. Creator: Unknown
Steamer New York passing through Highlands, Hudson River, N.Y. between 1900 and 1908

Steamer Toronto, Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, (1901?). Creator: Unknown
Steamer Toronto, Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, (1901?)

The Chippewa, at Lewiston, Niagara River, between 1900 and 1906. Creator: Unknown
The Chippewa, at Lewiston, Niagara River, between 1900 and 1906

Model of a Side-Wheeler, 1935/1942. Creator: William Pollman
Model of a Side-Wheeler, 1935/1942

Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic, 1819 (engraving)
PNP248806 Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic, 1819 (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Robert Fultons steamboat the Clermont, on the Hudson River, New York
PNP248809 Robert Fultons steamboat the Clermont, on the Hudson River, New York, 1807 (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American

The Mayflower Steamboat, on the Mississippi, 1855 (colour litho)
PNP247882 The Mayflower Steamboat, on the Mississippi, 1855 (colour litho) by Currier, Nathaniel (1813-88); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Robert Fultons (1765-1815) Clermont steamship, on the Hudson River
PNP248801 Robert Fultons (1765-1815) Clermont steamship, on the Hudson River, New York, 1807 (coloured engraving) by American School

Minne-ha-ha Paddle Steamer, Lake George, NY State, USA
The Minne-ha-ha Paddle Steamer of the Lake George Steamboat Company, Lake George, NY State, USA - a sidewheeler vessel that served from 1857 to 1878. Date: circa 1890

Departure from Khartoum (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF271007 Departure from Khartoum (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Glass Bottom Boat, Avalon, Santa Catalina Island Postcard. 1904, Glass Bottom Boat, Avalon, Santa Catalina Island Postcard

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A sidewheeler is a type of steamboat that was popular in the 19th century, known for its distinctive paddlewheels mounted on each side of the vessel. These boats were a common sight on rivers and lakes, providing transportation for passengers and cargo. The sidewheeler's design allowed for greater maneuverability and speed compared to other types of boats at the time. The paddlewheels were powered by steam engines located inside the boat, which turned large wooden paddles that propelled the vessel through the water. Sidewheelers were often used for river travel, as they could navigate shallow waters more easily than traditional propeller-driven ships. Despite their popularity in the 1800s, sidewheelers eventually fell out of favor as newer technologies emerged. However, these iconic vessels still hold a special place in maritime history and continue to be celebrated through museums and historical reenactments. Today they can a reminder of a bygone era when steamboats ruled the waters and played a vital role in connecting communities along rivers and lakes. Their unique design and nostalgic charm make them an enduring symbol of America's rich maritime heritage.