Floating palaces of the Great Lakes : a history of passenger steamships on the inland seas

Through much of the nineteenth century, steam-powered ships provided one of the most reliable and comfortable transportation options in the United States, becoming a critical partner in railroad expansion and the heart of a thriving recreation industry. The aesthetic, structural, and commercial peak of the steamboat era occurred on the Great Lakes, where palatial ships created memories and livelihoods for millions while carrying passengers between the region's major industrial ports of Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Toronto. By the mid-twentieth century, the industry was in steep decline, and today North America's rich and entertaining steamboat heritage has been largely forgotten. In __Floating Palaces of the Great Lakes__, Joel Stone revisits this important era of maritime history, packed with elegance and adventure, politics and wealth, triumph and tragedy. This story of Great Lakes travelers and the beautiful floating palaces they engendered will... A lively history of the most majestic ships to ever ply the Great Lakes| Through much of the nineteenth century, steam-powered ships provided one of the most reliable and comfortable transportation options in the United States, becoming a critical partner in railroad expansion and the heart of a thriving recreation industry. The aesthetic, structural, and commercial peak of the steamboat era occurred on the Great Lakes, where palatial ships created memories and livelihoods for millions while carrying passengers between the region's major industrial ports of Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Toronto. By the mid-twentieth century, the industry was in steep decline, and today North America's rich and entertaining steamboat heritage has been largely forgotten. In Floating Palaces of the Great Lakes , Joel Stone revisits this important era of maritime history, packed with elegance and adventure, politics and wealth, triumph and tragedy. This story of Great Lakes travelers and the beautiful floating palaces they engendered will engage historians and history buffs alike, as well as genealogists, regionalists, and researchers. Introduction: Steam Navigation On The Great Lakes -- Steam Navigation From 1817 To 1860 -- Harnessing Steam -- Early Years On The Lakes -- Opening The Frontier -- Birth Of An Industry -- Regional Development -- Maritime Politics -- The Palace Steamer Era -- Steam Navigation From 1860 To 1900 -- The Civil War Years -- New Era, New Business Models -- Changing Tastes And Technologies -- Steam Navigation In The Twentieth Century -- A New Century Brings Change -- The Lake Cruising Experience -- Sailing Into A Head Wind -- Conclusion: The Final Years. Joel Stone. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 261-274) And Index. Content: Introduction: steam navigation on the Great Lakes -- Steam navigation from 1817 to 1860 -- Harnessing steam -- Early years on the lakes -- Opening the frontier -- Birth of an industry -- Regional development -- Maritime politics -- The palace steamer era -- Steam navigation from 1860 to 1900 -- The Civil War years -- New era, new business models -- Changing tastes and technologies -- Steam navigation in the twentieth century -- A new century brings change -- The lake cruising experience -- Sailing into a head wind -- Conclusion: the final years.