Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Cotton carriers of the Mississippi

Cotton harvesting season and how are you going to get your cotton to market? In the 19th century, the quickest, cheapest way was by Mississippi river boat. Above; The Natchez is loaded "to the guards" as they said. Alongside is a towboat loaded with cottonseed. 

Below; The Charles P. Chouteau, shown carrying about 9000 bales,  held the record for transporting the most cotton in one season, almost 77,000 bales. Not surprisingly, fire was a hazard, in 1887 the Charles P. Chouteau caught fire and burned to the waterline.


 

No comments:

Post a Comment