Or, Gould's History of River Navigation. Containing a History of the Introduction of Steam as a Propelling Power on Ocean, Lakes and Rivers--the First Steamboats on the Hudson, the Delaware, and the Ohio Rivers--navigation of Western Rivers Before the Introduction of Steam--character of the Early Navigators--description of First Steamboats--steamboat New Orleans in 1811, and Sixty Consecutive Boats, when and where Built--their Effect Upon the Settlement of the Valley of the Mississippi--character and Speed of Boats at Different Periods--appropriations by Congress for the Improvement of Western Water Ways-- Floods in the Mississippi Valley for 150 Years--Mississippi River Commission and Its Work. Rapid Increase and Decline of River Transportation. Causes of the Decline--destruction of Steamboats on Western Waters--biographies of Prominent Steamboatmen