James River Bateau - Upper James River Transportation

Upper James River Transportation

The bateau became such a useful craft that it was also used for other cargo as well as passenger transportation. During the period of 1820 to 1840, at least 500 bateaus and 1,500 bateaumen, nearly all black, operated on the James River between Lynchburg, Virginia and Richmond. The use of the bateau sharply declined after 1840 when the James and Kanawha River Canal reached Lynchburg. The packet boat and rail took over the cargo.

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