End of an Era: The Last of the Great Lakes Steamboats [Hardcover]

David Plowden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1992

Since the mid-1850s when coal-fired, reciprocating-engined steamboats were first heralded as a swift and reliable method of freight transportation, these majestic vessels have criss-crossed the Great Lakes transporting everything from coal to iron ore and cement. Until the advent of the diesel locomotive engine, the speed and efficiency of the lake freighters was unchallenged. Today, however, the massive fleet has been reduced to a handful, and soon may be extinct. From freighters in motion and intricate machinery in the engine room, to the men who operate and maintain the vessels, these photographs represent a testament to the vanishing era of steam.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 155 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; 1st edition (September 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393033481
• ISBN-13: 978-0393033489
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,359,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book on Great Lakes Steamships!, April 1, 2000

By 

Raymond R. LaFrey "TCAS Ray" (New Braunfels, Tx) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: End of an Era: The Last of the Great Lakes Steamboats (Hardcover)

For those intrigued with American marine technology this is "must buy". As a child growing up near Detroit in the 1940s these huge ships were only in my distant memories until I read Plowdens' narratives and saw the stunning photographs of the ships, the living spaces, the engines and firerooms, scenes underway, and the crew. An excellent work!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the essence of reciprocating steamships., December 23, 1997

By 

John M Biolchini )[e-mail]) (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: End of an Era: The Last of the Great Lakes Steamboats (Hardcover)

David Plowden has spent many hours sailing aboard older Great Lakes Steamships. His goal was to capture the essence and emotion of this unique type of steam vessel. The days of the the reciprocating steam engine aboard commercial frieght ships has come and gone just like the old venerable steam locomotives. The beautiful black and white photographs, coupled with an insightful narrative, gives the reader the most realistic vision of an era which will never again be experienced in human history. When David set out to do this project, he sensed the urgency of his mission. Today, most all of these vessels have been retired or scrapped and will never again feel the the seas, or the warmth and love of thier the crews. I have personally observed David as he stolled about our decks with great love and devotion for these ships. This book is a culmination of that love. This artists goal, to capture these vessels as they lived and breathed, has been majestically fulfilled. It is a must for anyone with interest into the daily workings of steamships, steam engines, and the people who lived among them. This book truly captures an "End of an Era".

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photography & interesting technical history, August 31, 1997

By 

J. G. Heiser (Sunninghill, Berks) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: End of an Era: The Last of the Great Lakes Steamboats (Hardcover)

I love beautiful photography of machines and grew up watching the ore boats off of Cleveland. I couldn't resist buying it and I've enjoyed having it. This is a nice picture book and also has an interesting history of the development and demise of the uniquely configured Great Lakes ships. Jay Heise