Steamboats "Constitution" and "Constellation"

Editor's Note: The following text is a verbatim transcription of an article written by George W. Murdock, for the Kingston (NY) Daily Freeman newspaper in the 1930s. Murdock, a veteran marine engineer, wrote a regular column. Articles transcribed by HRMM volunteer Adam Kaplan. ​

Image from "Hudson River Steamboats" by Samuel Ward Stanton.

The “Constitution” and her sister ship, the “Constellation”, were built in 1825. Her hull was of wooden construction and was the creation of Brown and Bel of New York city, while her engine was constructed by J. Berbeck of New York. The hull was 145 feet long with a 27-foot beam, and she was rated as a vessel of 267 tons. The “Constitution” was put in service in May, 1825, while the “Constellation” followed in August of the same year.

These two boats were greatly improved models and in all particulars were considered superior to any of the boats on the Hudson river. The passenger accommodations were very extensive and most elegantly fitted.

Landings were made at all the principal points on the river and the running time on the regular route between New York and Albany averaged about 13 miles an hour.

The “Constitution” ran but a short time when a sad accident occurred on board the vessel. She left New York at 5 o’clock on June 20, 1825, with 80 passengers bound for Albany on her regular trip. During the night between two and three o’clock, when opposite Poughkeepsie, one of her boilers exploded, and two of the crew, John Joseph and Caroline Chew, were scalded to death.
​
She was repaired and continued running in the freight and passenger trade for a number of years, and after her days of usefulness as a passenger boat were over, she was converted into a towboat named the “Illinois”. Under this name she was a familiar figure on the Hudson river for many years.

---

Image from "Hudson River Steamboats" by Samuel Ward Stanton.

Author

George W. Murdock, (b. 1853-d. 1940) was a veteran marine engineer who served on the steamboats "Utica", "Sunnyside", "City of Troy", and "Mary Powell". He also helped dismantle engines in scrapped steamboats in the winter months and later in his career worked as an engineer at the brickyards in Port Ewen. In 1883 he moved to Brooklyn, NY and operated several private yachts. He ended his career working in power houses in the outer boroughs of New York City. His mother Catherine Murdock was the keeper of the Rondout Lighthouse for 50 years. ​

---

If you enjoyed this post and would like to support more history blog content, please make a donation to the Hudson River Maritime Museum or become a member today!​

Donate Now

Join Today