Customer Reviews

End of an Era: The Last of the Great Lakes Steamboats

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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!

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".

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