Pioneer Pieces: West by River!

For 7 decades riverboats provided transportation to the Western Frontier via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. After Lewis and Clark and Pike had opened the western waterways up to travel, early pioneers had their choice of a flatboat or a keelboat, depending on their financial means and destination.

For short journeys, pioneers usually chose a flatboat which was just a crude log raft with basic box shelter for passenger and cargo. These were economical because once the pioneer reached their destination the logs could be dismantled and sold for lumber. Flatboats were too small for more than a families' basic necessities and were usually used by single men going west who would ride together on one raft.

Keelboats, however, were for longer journeys and were much more manuverable with a wooden keel for steering. Keelboats could be quite large, with lengths as long as 100 feet or more and a crew of 100. Add the livestock, all the household furniture and foodstuffs normally carried in a covered wagon, and the keelboat could become crowded in a hurry!
They were a better choice for most families moving west and could make several trips up and down the river before having to be dismantled for lumber.

On a keelboat, passengers had separate lodgings with beds, heating source and most basic comforts. If you were a family of any means with cattle, servants, farm equipment and a whole house of goods - the keel was your only choice.

Just a note: Once the waterways were open in the early 1800s - the coonskin cap became all the rage back East and in Europe. Everyone, including Daniel Boone if we are to believe the pictures, wore one!

Next time- Full Steam Ahead!