Steamboat on the Missisippi

What is a steamboat?

• A boat powered by wind

• A boat powered by electricity

• A boat powered by solar energy

• A boat powered by a steam-powered engine

Who invented the steam engine used in steamboats?

• John Fitch

• Robert Fulton

• James Watt

• Thomas Newcomen

When did Robert Fulton's steamboat make its first voyage?

• 1805

• 1800

• 1810

• 1807

What was the most common type of steamboat on southern rivers?

• Flatboats

• Keelboats

• Packet boats

• Barges

What was the main advantage of steamboats over other forms of transportation for shipping goods?

• Environmental friendliness

• Ability to travel long distances

• Ability to carry more passengers

• Reduced time and expense

What was a major risk associated with steamboats?

• Sinking due to overloading

• Boilers exploding

• Engine failure

• Paddle wheel damage

What type of ships were commonly used for transatlantic cargo shipping and passenger travel in the later years of the 19th century?

• Steamboats

• Submarines

• Sailboats

• Rowboats

What caused the decline of steamboats as the dominant form of commercial transport in the United States?

• Environmental concerns

• High maintenance costs

• Competition from railroads

• Competition from airplanes

What happened to most steamboats by 1900?

• They were sold to other countries

• They were retired

• They were used for military purposes

• They were converted into showboats

Where did John Fitch demonstrate a working model of the steamboat concept?

• Mississippi River

• Hudson River

• Potomac River

• Delaware River