Hudson River Maritime Museum
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Hudson River Steamboats

Hudson River steamboats were developed by Robert Fulton in the 1800s and 1810s. Hudson River steamboats are unique in that they have two paddlewheels located in the center of the boat on either side. Which is why they are also called "sidewheel steamers." In contrast, Mississippi River steamboats have single, wide paddlewheel at the rear or stern of the boat. 

New York led the world in the development of commercially viable steamboats and the Hudson River was a proving ground for new and improved engines and designs. Steamboats did not totally overtake Hudson River sloops in the 19th century in transportation, originally focusing primarily on the more lucrative passenger trade. Older steamboats in the 1840s began to transition to towing barges as larger passenger ships were developed. 

The Hudson River Day Line dominated the Hudson River passenger trade by the early 20th century. Day Line traffic ended on the Hudson River in 1971 when the Hudson River Day Line was purchased by the Circle Line out of New York City. Passenger boat traffic to Bear Mountain ended completely in the 1980s. 

Old Steamboat Days On The Hudson River by David Lear Buckman (1907)

Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout Landing
Kingston, NY 12401

​845-338-0071
fax: 845-338-0583
info@hrmm.org

​The Hudson River Maritime Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries. ​

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  • Home
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Board
    • News
    • Facility Rentals
    • Opportunities
  • Visit
    • Hours And Directions
    • Parking
    • Docking
    • Book A Charter
    • Rondout Lighthouse
    • Area Attractions
  • Museum
    • RiverWise
    • Museum at Home
    • Exhibits >
      • Mary Powell
      • Online Exhibits
    • Lecture Series
    • Walking Tours
    • School Programs >
      • Field-Trips
      • Hudson River Stewards
      • YouthBoat
      • Sea Scouts
    • Museum Mates
    • Group & Bus Tours
  • Boat Tours
    • All Boat Tours
    • Meet Solaris
    • Lantern Cruises
    • Sunset Cruise
    • Dual Lighthouse Cruise
    • Industrial Waterfront Cruise
    • Ecology Cruise
    • Rondout Lighthouse Tours
    • Private Charters
  • Events
    • RiverWise
    • Events Calendar
    • Online Education
    • Lecture Series
    • Sailing Conference >
      • Sailing Conference Resources
    • Visiting Vessels
    • Black History Conference
  • Boat School
    • Instructors
    • YouthBoat
    • Boat Building
    • Woodworking
    • Maritime Training
    • RWBS Library
    • Restoration
  • Sailing
    • Sailing School
    • Adult Sailing
    • Youth Sailing Program
    • Sea Scouts
  • Rowing
    • Rowing School
    • Rowing Programs
    • Learn to Row
  • Research
    • Research Requests
    • Collections >
      • Digital Collections
    • History Blog
    • RiverWise
    • Submerged Resources Project
    • Pilot Log
    • Hudson River History >
      • Henry Hudson
      • The Hudson River
      • Sloops of the Hudson River
      • Robert Fulton
      • Hudson River Steamboats
      • New York Canals
  • Support
    • Member Login
    • Donate Now
    • Join
    • Give
    • Museum Store
    • Pilot Gala
    • COVID19
    • Wish List
    • Volunteer
    • Boat Donations
    • Artifact Donations
    • Planned Giving
    • Our Sponsors