Customer Reviews

Ways Packet Directory 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats Of The

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Way's is an almost staggering achievement. Mr. Way (now deceased) spent approx. 80 years of his life collecting this information. There isn't any other source that comes close to Way's if you need to know about steamboats on the Western Waters (Pittsburgh westwards).

This is a very comprehensive listing of steamboats, where they were built, their size, who was Captain if known, etc. It also includes some, but not a lot, very nice photographs of steamboats. The only drawback is that the index is not comprehensive. My gg grandfather had only two listings in the index by his name, but he was actually mentioned in one additional listing for a total of three. So a bit of due diligence is required.

Mr. Way has done so much to preserve the history of the steamboats on the rivers of the USA. I am currently writing a book on steamboats, and have found Way's books very helpful. The boats are such a great part of our country's history. I believe in preserving history for our younger generations.

Whether you are a river historian or genealogist whose ancestors traveled on the rivers, Way's is bound to be of help in your research. Listed in alphabetical order by name of the steamboats, each entry tells when and where the steamboats were built, names of captains, clerks and owners plus, in some cases, what happened to the steamboats. I am especially interested in steamers on the Ohio River and this book has been very helpful.

I believe this to be the best riverboat/steamboat reference I have ever come upon. It is the most complete I have ever seen although it is not totally complete. This is a book you cannot be without if interested in river travel history. I will never sell mine.

A painstaking work that needs practice to be used well. Boats are listed by initials and names, making some harder to find than others.