Paddle-wheel boats were a huge part of water-borne commerce in the United States in the 19th century and early 20th century, as they ferried passengers and cargo up and down American rivers and lakes. Now they are seldom-seen relics that have become too slow for most people and too expensive to maintain. Those that still operate cater mostly to passengers who want to experience a living piece of the past and ponder the days when the paddle-wheelers ruled the inland waterways.
It is always a treat to see one of these great ships that look like wedding cakes on water, as it churns the water and steams toward its destination. The Minne-ha-ha pictured above plies its trade on the waters of Lake George, New York.
Webner House 