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Steam Boats on The Coosa River
A majority of Coosa River steamboats had model bows (that is, they were gracefully curved) and square sterns. With two exceptions all were sternwheelers. The larger and finer boats averaged 150'length and 28' beam with perfectly flat bottoms to facilitate navigating in shallow water. They were equipped for pushing barges, which is some instances almost doubled their cargo handling capacity. They had special rigging for towing immense rafts of saw-logs upstream to lumber mills in Rome and Gadsden, and for threescore years the logging industry was the source of much revenue for the steamboats. The small steamers had square bows, enabling them to push small barges loaded with freight. These small boats were pushed in the upper reaches of the Oostanaula and Coosawattee above Rome. All boats handled passengers as well as freight. Mail was carried between Rome and Greensport. The boats making two round trips per week. A number of steamboats had splendidly appointed staterooms. The lounge, fitted with easy chairs, settees and a piano, was located on the upper deck facing the bow. This was the gathering place of the first class passengers on their way to Rome or to Gadsden on shopping expeditions. Frequently, a fiddler would be on board and he and a pianist supplied music for dancing, as the graceful steamer made her way through the night, her bright lights reflecting on the water. The dining room served meals which cannot be duplicated today. Country produce of all kinds was abundant and could be bought at most reasonable prices. In addition, wild duck, goose and quail were common items on the menus and frequently venison would be served. Fish was abundant and cheap. Many passengers consisting of trappers, loggers and others desiring passage only would be accommodated on the lower deck no taken up by freight. They supplied their own meals and bedding. All the early boats used wood for fuel and the yards along the river were kept well supplied with cordwood by planters residing nearby. Often, at night passengers on a remote landing would flag the boat with a torch made of rich pine. The pilot would reply with three blasts of the whistle, stop, take on the passengers and resume the journey.
thanks to Dennis Nordmen |