The End of Steamboats
The Great Depression, the explosion of shipbuilding capability on the river because of the war, and the rise of diesel tugboats finished the steamboat era. Boats were tied up as they had time expired, being built in the First World War or 1920s. Lower crew requirements of diesel tugs made continued operation of steam towboats uneconomical during the late 1940s. The wage increases caused by inflation after the war, and the availability of war surplus tugs and barges, put the older technology at a disadvantage. Some steam-powered, screw-propeller towboats were built but they were either later converted to diesel-power or retired. A few diesel sternwheelers stayed on the rivers after steam sternwheelers disappeared. Jack Kerouac noted in On the Road seeing many derelict steamers on the River at this time. Many steam vessels were broken up. Steam derricks and snagboats continued to be used until the 1960s and a few survivors soldiered on.
Today, few paddlewheelers continue to run on steam power. Those that do include the Delta Queen, Belle of Louisville, Natchez, Minne Ha-Ha, Chautauqua Belle, Julia Belle Swain, and American Queen. Other vessels propelled by sternwheels exist, but do not employ the use of steam engines. Overnight passage on steamboats in the United States ended in 2008. The Delta Queen could resume that service, but it requires the permission of the United States Congress. Another boat that could do so is the American Queen which is currently in the US Ready Reserve fleet, awaiting a buyer.
On October 18, 2014, the Belle of Louisville will be the first Mississippi River-style steamboat to reach 100 years old. To celebrate the unprecedented achievement there will be a 5-day festival in Louisville, KY named Belle's Big Birthday Bash.
Read more about this topic: Steamboats Of The Mississippi
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—Allen Ginsberg (b. 1926)
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Where all the steamboats are aground,
And all the houses are afloat?...
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—For the State of Nebraska, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)