Boats of Summer, Volume 2

Detailing the histories of 28 vessels, the second volume of The Boats of Summer spotlights the New York Harbor and Hudson River summertime excursion steamboats of the twentieth century. Duringthe golden age of steamboating, summer life in New York City meantclimbing aboard a grand steamer for a daytime excursion. Drawing on alifetime of investigation by author Richard V. Elliott with assistancefrom other prominent maritime historians, this meticulously researchedmaritime history features • steamboat profiles that include physical descriptions, a rundownof routes and destinations, and tales of mishaps; • histories of passenger steamers spanning from 1901's Thomas Patten through the region's last paddlewheeler, the Alexander Hamilton, as well as a few diesel-powered vessels that closed out the excursion era in the late 1980s;• spotlights on well-known vessels as well as many lesser-known excursion steamboats that are described indetail here for the first time;• rare historical images and paintings by noted maritime artist William G. Muller;• explorations of Coney Island, Playland, and the beach resorts, picnicgroves, and other recreation destinations where the vessels deliveredmillions of passengers; and• a look at the vessels' key role in water parades and other major celebrations in New York Harbor. Embark on a nostalgic journey into New York's maritime past with thislook at the excursion steamboats that captured the hearts of generationsof New Yorkers and visitors. Full steam ahead!