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Rollodores, Dead Heads, and Side Wheelers: A Journey Through the Golden Age of Riverboating

Thomas Pynchon

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A Mississippi River Steamboat The Tombigbee River Steamboats: Rollodores Dead Heads And Side Wheelers

The Tombigbee River Steamboats: Rollodores, Dead Heads and Side-Wheelers

by Tony Kushner

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20892 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	227 pages

The Mississippi River has long been a vital artery of commerce and transportation in the United States. In the 19th century, the steamboat was the primary mode of travel and trade on the river, and these magnificent vessels played a major role in the development of the American West.

Mark Twain, who worked as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River in the 1850s, provides a vivid and entertaining account of the golden age of riverboating in his book Rollodores, Dead Heads, and Side Wheelers.

Twain describes the colorful characters who worked on the boats, from the skilled pilots who navigated the treacherous waters of the river to the roustabouts who loaded and unloaded cargo. He also recounts the dramatic events that unfolded on the decks of these vessels, from collisions and fires to shootings and murders.

Rollodores, Dead Heads, and Side Wheelers is a fascinating account of a bygone era. Twain's lively prose and keen eye for detail bring the golden age of riverboating to life.

The People of the River

The people who worked on the steamboats of the Mississippi River were a diverse and colorful group. Twain describes them as "a strange, motley, semi-barbarous community" that was "full of character and incident."

The pilots were the most skilled and respected members of the steamboat crew. They were responsible for navigating the treacherous waters of the river, and their knowledge and experience were essential to the safe operation of the boat. Twain describes the pilots as "a race of men peculiar to the Mississippi River" who were "brave, resolute, self-reliant, and quick-witted."

The roustabouts were the unskilled laborers who loaded and unloaded cargo on the steamboats. They were typically young men who were looking for adventure or a quick way to make some money. Twain describes the roustabouts as "a rough-looking lot, but good-natured and always ready for a fight."

In addition to the pilots and roustabouts, there were a variety of other people who worked on the steamboats, including engineers, firemen, cooks, and waiters. These people came from all walks of life, and they played an important role in the operation of the boat.

The Events of the River

The Mississippi River was a dangerous place in the 19th century. The river was full of snags, sandbars, and other hazards, and collisions and fires were common. Twain recounts several dramatic events that unfolded on the decks of steamboats, including a collision between two boats that resulted in the death of several people and a fire that destroyed a boat and its cargo.

In addition to the natural hazards of the river, there were also a number of human-caused hazards that threatened the safety of steamboats. Twain describes several shootings and murders that took place on the boats, and he also recounts a number of pranks and practical jokes that were played by the crew.

Despite the dangers, the Mississippi River was also a place of beauty and wonder. Twain describes the river's scenery as "magnificent" and "awe-inspiring," and he recounts several experiences that he had on the river that were both beautiful and moving.

The Legacy of the River

The golden age of riverboating came to an end with the advent of the railroad in the late 19th century. However, the legacy of the steamboat era lives on in the many stories and songs that have been written about these magnificent vessels.

Mark Twain's Rollodores, Dead Heads, and Side Wheelers is one of the most famous and enduring accounts of the steamboat era. Twain's lively prose and keen eye for detail bring the golden age of riverboating to life, and his book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in this fascinating period of American history.

The Tombigbee River Steamboats: Rollodores, Dead Heads and Side-Wheelers

by Tony Kushner

4.4 out of 5