[ Morrison / History of American Steam Navigation ]
John H. Morrison (1881-1921) was an American writer on ships and shipbuilding. This work was first published in 1903 (New York: W. F. Sametz) and reprinted several times.
This book includes an account of the very first steamboat, the "New Orleans," to travel America's inland waterways, from Pittsburgh to New Orleans (October 1811 to January 1812). Among the small collection of passengers was the captain's Newfoundland dog.
In the latter part of September, 1811, the "New Orleans," after a short experimental trip up the Monongahela River, commenced her voyage with Nicholas J. Roosevelt and his wife as the only passengers. There was a captain, an engineer named Baker, Andrew Jack the pilot, six hands, two female servants, a man waiter, a cook, and an immense Newfoundland dog named "Tiger." Thus equipped, the "New Orleans" began the voyage that changed the relations of the West, which may almost be said to have changed its destiny. (190 - 191)
Tiger is mentioned one other time in this account, as the steamboat navigates the Falls of the Ohio, make treacherous by low water levels:
Steerage way depended upon her speed exceeding that of the current. The faster she could be made to go, the easier would it be to
guide her. All the steam the boiler would bear was put upon her. The safety valve shrieked, the wheels revolved faster than they had ever done before, and the vessel, speaking figuratively, fairly flew away from the crowds collected to witness her departure from Louisville. Instinctively, each one on board now grasped the nearest object, and with bated breath awaited the result. Black ledges of rock appeared only to disappear as the "New Orleans" flashed by them. The waters whirled and eddied, and threw their spray upon the deck, as a more rapid descent caused the vessel to pitch forward to what at times seemed inevitable destruction. Not a word was spoken; the pilots directed the men at the helm by motions of their hands. Even the great Newfoundland dog seemed affected by the apprehension of danger, and came and crouched at Mrs. Roosevelt's feet. (196)
Interesting side note: the New Orleans had its maiden voyage on the Mississippi River during the great New Madrid Earthquake of 1811. That must have signalled bad luck, for despite being the first steamboat to successfully sail the Mississippi, the New Orleans sank in 1814 after hitting a tree stump.
The Newfoundland's presence on this historic trip was mentioned by other writers whose works are discussed here at The Cultured Newf: Nathaniel Bishop's Four Months in a Sneak-Box (1879); and Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo's Sea Hunters II (2002).