Topic starter
02/09/2011 11:42 pm
Hello! I am a historical novelist starting work on a novel set in the 1850s and 1860s with one of the two protagonists a steamboat owner and professional gambler from New Orleans. i am looking into all sorts of material about the steamboats.
One thing I would love to find is a detailed diagram of a steamboat, a large one and very elegant. I saw the interactive diagram here but unless I am missing something it does not identify the different decks. I want something that includes those and where babins would be, etc.
Any suggestions about anything other than the characters and plot will be welcome and could get you a metnion in the acknowledgements.. but only with your permission.
Nan Hawthorne
Nan Hawthorne, Historical Novelist
03/09/2011 10:18 am
Riverboat Gambling
A couple weeks ago, someone wrote about riverboat gambling on a similar thread. Was that Frank or Judy?
If you dig a little deeper into the threads, you might find some historical references to riverboat gambling that have already been posted. The one I am referring to was not posted all that long ago - perhaps as late as this Spring. (Since I'm not an expert on that subject, I'll leave those comments to someone else. I'm an editor and Civil War historian by trade)
03/09/2011 4:46 pm
Steamboat Questions
Nan, you came to the right place to find answers about steamboats! Some further research into these threads may find the answers you want. Loren DeShon is a novelist who also started some threads that were loaded with the questions you may have. In fact, Loren's second thread was asking the same question you were asking, and this was only about six months ago. To find all of Loren's questions and answers, go to Steamboats & History like you did when you started this thread. Then go to the "Search this Thread" search engine, and type-in "Loren DeShon". You'll find everything that Loren asked, and all of the answers.
04/09/2011 9:12 pm
Nan, I sell plans for stemboats. For 30 bucks You can have a complete set of plans of the steamer Natchez that ran the famous race with the Robt.E.Lee in1870. I have others also. Check out my on-line catalog at Paddlewheels and Props - Riverboat and Tugboat Plans for Model Builders
Or you can get to the catalog from this website. Look under the "Models" category.
You should also check with Alan Bates, who also has a cataolg of steamboat plans. His is listed under the "Models" category also. All of these plans show where everything was - cabins, boilers, engines, etc.
Topic starter
05/09/2011 1:36 am
plans
Thanks, John! I looked on your site and if I am reading it corrrectly the natchez plans are $50? Was the Natchez one of the luxuey steamboats?
Nan
Topic starter
05/09/2011 1:38 am
Denny
Thanks, Denny! I will go take a look.
nan
06/09/2011 2:45 am
Nan,
Yes, this forum has been a big help to me in my research, particularly in recommending good source materials.
Regards,
Loren
10/09/2011 12:36 am
Nan,
The price of the Natchez plans is $30.00, not 50. We started off with the higher price but decided that was just too high. Yes, both the Natchez and Robt. E. Lee were luxury boats, amongst the finest on the river in their day.
10/09/2011 11:59 pm
Nan,
If you haven't already read Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. There's the real deal, by the master.
Loren
26/09/2011 4:06 pm
Nan,
I am an historian who has completed a book on Mississippi River steamboats (and steamboats generally in the South on the western waters) prior to the Civil War. The book is Steamboats and the Rise of the Cotton Kingdom and will be released on October 17. I have chapters about the structure of boats, workers on boats, passengers, and many other things. I address gambling, dining, ownership, slaves working on boats, racing, explosions, etc. The book is available through Amazon or through the LSU Press website.
Robert Gudmestad
Topic starter
26/09/2011 10:59 pm
splendid!
On my over to order your book now!!!!!
nan