Paddle Steamer Collection

Isambard Kingdom Brunel Standing Before the Launching Chains of the Great Eastern, 1857, printed 1863-64

STEAMBOATS: SULTANA, 1865. The paddle steamer Sultana photographed during a stop at Helena, Arkansas on the Mississippi River, about one day prior to its fateful explosion near Memphis

LOUISIANA: STEAMBOAT, 1865. Through the Bayou by Torchlight. Lithograph, c1865, by Currier & Ives

The Dart paddle steamer Compton Castle. 1980s

North River Ferry Boat, paddlesteamer Date: ca. 1873

England, London, Paddle Steamer Waverley Passing Under Tower Bridge

Gloucester Historic Docks, Dock Basin with paddle steamer, former warehouses, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

On the Clyde, Glasgow, 1879 (oil on board)
CW213860 On the Clyde, Glasgow, 1879 (oil on board) by Grimshaw, John Atkinson (1836-93); 28x44 cm; Private Collection; eChristopher Wood Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Great Eastern on the stocks at Millwall on the Thames, 1857. View from the stern, showing the vessel in John Scott Russells (1808-1882) yard

Birds Eye View of Sixth Street Wharf, Washington D. C, published by Charles Magnus
XZL151145 Birds Eye View of Sixth Street Wharf, Washington D.C, published by Charles Magnus, 1863 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Library of Congress, Washington D.C

MISSISSIPPI STEAMBOAT, c1896. The Bluff City, sternwheel steamboat of the Anchor Line, moored along the Mississippi River some time between its launching in 1896

Ruse, Bulgaria - The Paddlesteamer Krum
Ruse, Bulgaria - the most significant Bulgarian river port - The Paddlesteamer Krum. Date: circa 1910s

Port of New Orleans, engraved by D. G. Thompson (coloured engraving)
XIR192825 Port of New Orleans, engraved by D.G. Thompson (coloured engraving) by Waud, Alfred R. (1828-91) (after); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; American, out of copyright

Newcastle-upon-Tyne from the South (engraving)
XJF466215 Newcastle-upon-Tyne from the South (engraving) by Knox, John (1778-1845); Private Collection; Scottish, out of copyright

Paddle steamer on Lake Lucerne, Brunnen, Canton Schwyz, Switzerland

Robert Fulton's paddle steamer the Clermont
5308073 Robert Fulton's paddle steamer the Clermont.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Robert Fulton's paddle steamer the Clermont which piled between New York and Albany on the Hudson River)

A paddle steamer, 1850
3478559 A paddle steamer, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a paddle steamer on the upper Missouri. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton', 1850
3478549 The paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton', 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an American river paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton')

The steamer 'Lady Daly', 1850
3478548 The steamer 'Lady Daly', 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the stern wheel paddle steamer 'Lady Daly' on the Murray River, Australia)

Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont' on her maiden commercial voyage, 1850
3359160 Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont' on her maiden commercial voyage, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont' which plied)

Paddle steamer 'United Kingdom', 1850
3359157 Paddle steamer 'United Kingdom', 1850; (add.info.: Portrait of the paddle steamer 'United Kingdom' built for the London/Edinburgh trade)

Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont', 1850
3359156 Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont', 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont' which plied between New York)

The paddle steamer 'Clermont', 1850
3359143 The paddle steamer 'Clermont', 1850; (add.info.: Portrait of the paddle steamer 'Clermont'. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The London Bridge, 1850
3359165 The London Bridge, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the London Bridge, showing the traffic of barges and paddle steamers on the Thames)

Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont' on her maiden commercial voyage, 1850
3359147 Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont' on her maiden commercial voyage, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Robert Fulton's paddle steamer 'Clermont' which plied)

A paddle steamer engine, 1850
3330764 A paddle steamer engine, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of a paddle steamer engine. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A paddle steamer on the Mississippi River, 1850
3478551 A paddle steamer on the Mississippi River, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the loading of a paddle steamer from a cotton chute on the Mississippi River)

Matthew C. Perry's paddle steamer
3733687 Matthew C. Perry's paddle steamer.; (add.info.: Painting depicting Matthew C. Perry's paddle steamer used during his expedition to Japan)

The launch of the paddle steamer 'Ariel', 1850
3359211 The launch of the paddle steamer 'Ariel', 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the launch of the paddle steamer 'Ariel' at Rotherhithe)

The paddle steamer 'The Golden Age', 1850
3359202 The paddle steamer 'The Golden Age', 1850; (add.info.: Portrait of the paddle steamer 'The Golden Age' owned by the New York and Australian Steam Navigation Company)

The Custom House, London, 1850
3359161 The Custom House, London, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Custom House, London, showing busy paddle steamer and other traffic on the Thames)

The launch of the paddle steamer 'Ariel', 1850
3359937 The launch of the paddle steamer 'Ariel', 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the launch of the paddle steamer 'Ariel' at Rotherhithe)

The paddle steamer 'Baron Orsy', 1850
3359207 The paddle steamer 'Baron Orsy', 1850; (add.info.: Portrait of the paddle steamer 'Baron Orsy' built by C. Mitchell & Co. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A small paddle steamer on the Thames, 1850
3359170 A small paddle steamer on the Thames, 1850; (add.info.: Portrait of a small paddle steamer on the River Thames. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Custom House, London, 1850
3359162 The Custom House, London, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Custom House, London, showing busy paddle steamer and other traffic on the Thames)

A paddle steamer, 1850
3478561 A paddle steamer, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a paddle steamer on the upper Missouri. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Paddle steamers at the Levee, 1850
3478558 Paddle steamers at the Levee, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting paddle steamers at the Levee in San Francisco. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A paddle steamer on the Mississippi River, 1850
3478552 A paddle steamer on the Mississippi River, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the loading of a paddle steamer from a cotton chute on the Mississippi River)

The paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton', 1850
3478547 The paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton', 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an American river paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton')

An American river paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton'
5310021 An American river paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton'; (add.info.: Engraving depicting an American river paddle steamer 'The Carroll of Carrolton')

The passenger deck of a paddle steamer, 1850
3359217 The passenger deck of a paddle steamer, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration of the passenger deck of a paddle steamer. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A French naval steamboat draws next to a larger paddle steamer, 1850
3330549 A French naval steamboat draws next to a larger paddle steamer, 1850; (add.info.: A French naval steamboat draws next to a larger paddle steamer)

The paddle steamer 'Artic', 1850
3330487 The paddle steamer 'Artic', 1850; (add.info.: Portrait of the paddle steamer 'Artic' lost between Liverpool and New York. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The screw steamer 'Great Victoria', 1850
3330473 The screw steamer 'Great Victoria', 1850; (add.info.: Portrait of the screw steamer 'Great Victoria', built by Baines & Co for the Liverpool to Australia run)

The launch of the paddle steamers 'Windsor' and 'Ajax', 1850
3330493 The launch of the paddle steamers 'Windsor' and 'Ajax', 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the launch of the paddle steamers 'Windsor' and 'Ajax')

The iron paddle steamer 'Telegraaf', 1850
3330482 The iron paddle steamer 'Telegraaf', 1850; (add.info.: Portrait of the iron paddle steamer 'Telegraaf', for passengers between Antwerp and Rotterdam)

The paddle steamer 'The British Queen', 1850
3359173 The paddle steamer 'The British Queen', 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the paddle steamer 'The British Queen'. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Custom House, London, 1850
3359166 The Custom House, London, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Custom House, London, showing busy paddle steamer and other traffic on the Thames)

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The paddle steamer, a marvel of engineering and a symbol of industrial progress, has left an indelible mark on history. From its humble beginnings to its grandeur in the 19th century, these steam-powered vessels revolutionized transportation and shaped the world we know today. One iconic image captures Isambard Kingdom Brunel standing proudly before the launching chains of the Great Eastern. This monumental ship was a testament to human ingenuity and ambition, pushing boundaries with its colossal size and innovative design. In another snapshot from history, we see the paddle steamer Sultana during a stop at Helena. This photograph immortalizes the elegance and grace of these majestic vessels as they glided through waterways, connecting communities along their routes. A lithograph from 1865 takes us on a torchlit journey through Louisiana's bayous aboard a steamboat. The flickering lights cast enchanting shadows over this nocturnal scene, evoking mystery and adventure that awaited passengers on board. Moving forward in time to the 1980s, we encounter The Dart paddle steamer Compton Castle. Its presence invokes nostalgia for an era when these graceful ships were still part of everyday life, ferrying people across rivers with ease. Across continents and oceans alike, paddle steamers played vital roles in transportation networks. A North River Ferry Boat served as a lifeline between bustling cities while England's Paddle Steamer Waverley passed under Tower Bridge in London—a sight that never failed to captivate spectators along the riverbanks. The Great Eastern stands tall on stocks at Millwall in 1857—an awe-inspiring sight that showcased Britain's mastery over shipbuilding during this period. Its sheer scale demonstrated mankind's ability to conquer even nature's vast expanses. From Ruse in Bulgaria comes an image of The Paddlesteamer Krum—proof that these magnificent vessels transcended borders and brought people together across cultures.