Steamer or Steamship
Steamer is an early term for any vessel power by a steam engine rather than sails.
Early steamers were propelled by large paddlewheels. "Side-wheelers", with the paddlewheels on each side, were more seaworthy, and therefore more common in ocean waters, while "stern-wheelers", with a single large paddlewheel at the back, were more common as riverboats. Later, these were replaced by more efficient screw (or propeller) vessels.
Of note is the universal pattern of:
< bow - boilers - engine - drive shaft - propeller - rudder/stern )
and the fact that the boilers are always in front of the engine. Identify any one of these features on the wreck, and you can orient yourself in even the murkiest conditions.
- Type:
- shipwreck, steamer, USA
- Built:
- 1848, NY USA
- Specs:
- ( 275 x 32 ft ) 984 gross tons
- Sunk:
- Saturday December 27, 1866
beached to prevent foundering in a storm; old age & decay - no casualties
More: Horton's Point / Commodore ...
The Alexander Hamilton was the last of the steam-powered side-wheel riverboats of the Hudson River Day Line. Built in 1924, she ceased operations in 1971. A well-meaning group pulled the Hamilton from the mud in 1977 and moved her to a temporary berth along the east side of the Navy pier, planning to restore her as a museum. Unfortunately, at the new more-exposed location, the old vessel was sunk and reduced to scrap by a sudden storm in November of that year. The last records indicate that the wreck is still there, and you can even make out the outline on Google Earth.
More: Alexander Hamilton ...
