During the golden age of steamboating, summer life in New York City meant climbing aboard a grand steamer for a daytime excursion. Drawing on a lifetime of investigation by author Richard V. Elliott with assistance from other prominent maritime historians, this meticulously researched maritime history features
• steamboat profiles that include physical descriptions, a rundown of routes and destinations, and tales of mishaps;
• histories of well-known vessels, including the beloved Mary Powell and the doomed General Slocum;
• spotlights on many lesser-known excursion steamboats that are described in detail here for the first time;
• rare historical images and paintings by noted maritime artist William G. Muller;
• explorations of Coney Island, Playland, and the beach resorts, picnic groves, and other recreation destinations where the vessels delivered millions of passengers; and
• a look at the vessels' key role in water parades and other major celebrations in New York Harbor.

Embark on a nostalgic journey into New York's maritime past with this look at the excursion steamboats that captured the hearts of generations of New Yorkers and visitors. Full steam ahead!