Media Monday: Last Trip of the Steamboat Alexander Hamilton

Still from the newsreel on the last voyage of the steamboat "Alexander Hamilton," 1971.

2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the last trip of the Hudson River Dayline steamboat Alexander Hamilton. The last of the sidewheel steamboats on the Hudson and built in 1924, the Hamilton looms large in the memories of many Hudson River residents. 

On Saturday we took a look at the Hamilton and a surviving life ring. Today, we get to enjoy a short video of the Hamilton's last voyage.

In this newscast from 1971, a reporter interviews Hamilton employees and passengers on her last-ever trip. One employee optimistically states that "Next year we'll have a new ship." Although he may have gone on to work on other passenger boats in New York Harbor or the Hudson River, no sidewheel steamer was ever again built for use on the Hudson River.

If you would like to learn more about the Alexander Hamilton, please visit the Hudson River Maritime Museum and view our new mini-exhibit on the 50th anniversary of her last trip. 

Many thanks to the Steamship Historical Society of America for digitizing this fascinating piece of Hudson River history.

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