Steamboats on the Hudson: An American Saga
Hudson River Day Line and the Golden Age of Steamboat Travel (1863-1948)
Of the many Hudson River steamboat lines, the Hudson River Day Line was the one which became the best known in this country and abroad. Its "white flyers" were famous for their elegance and speed, and they provided the most enjoyable way to travel the Hudson River. No one could claim to have seen America without seeing the Hudson River, and the only way to properly see the Hudson River was from the deck of a Day Liner. Important foreign guests were taken for steamboat rides soon after their arrival in New York.
The company stressed "passengers only" and so it achieved a cachet of elegance the freight carriers could not boast. It reached its zenith of operations in the 1920s, at which time it had the largest and finest fleet of steamers to be found on any river. The hard times of the 1930s began the decline of the line as a through carrier to Albany, despite a flurry of activity during World War II.
On September 13, 1948, the Day Line steamboat Robert Fulton made its last run from Albany to New York City, bringing to an end the era of gracious steamboat travel on the Hudson River. This event also marked the end of regular steamboat service on the Hudson River between New York and Albany that had begun with Robert Fulton’s maiden voyage of the Clermont in August 1807.
The Hudson River Route Brochure and Map
Text from the Brochure:
Stirring Drama Along the Hudson's Scenic Route
Top name among the world's most famous rivers: THE HUDSON! This mighty blue ribbon connecting the "throbbing towers and canyons of New York City with Albany, the capital of the Empire State, present a spectacle without equal in all the world. People have traveled far across these United States to feast their eyes on this astonishing scenery, while breathing the delicious air and relaxing on broad decks.
A gay and graceful Day Line Steamer, leaving its New York City pier among the Trans-Atlantic liners, offers travelers and holiday-makers a unique perspective of the city skyline. Then past yachts and the kaleidoscope of harbor life, gliding with swift ease, you behold the scenery shifted as, on the west shore, the ramparts of the Palisades rise sheer from the river mile after mile. Presently you sail into the broad blue Tappan Zee. After leaving this inland sea, you wind your way through the grandeur of the Highlands where towering above you and pressing the river deep within themselves are the historic mountains: High Tor, Dunderberg, Bear Mountain, Anthony's Nose, Sugar Loaf, Mt. Taurus, Storm King, and Breakneck Mountain. Here among Nature's stately architecture you may visit such famous recreation places as Indian Point and Bear Mountain. West Point is also nestled in these massive mountain sides where the bugle calls echo from the parade grounds.
The red, white and blue Day Line flag, whipping in the sunlight from the staff of your steamer, is guiding you through the very heart of American History. Every hill and valley has a story to tell of Colonial or Revolutionary Days, and glows with Legends of Washington Irving. Above the Highlands at the historic river town of Newburgh, you can see the quaint building, perfectly preserved, where George Washington lived and planned campaigns with Lafayette.
Midway between New York and Albany, you reach the city Poughkeepsie, seat of famous Vassar College. This is the northern terminal for Day Line passengers, making a one day round trip from New York.
Have You Ever Explored the Northern Horizons of the Hudson?
Northbound from Poughkeepsie the Day Line steamers pass beautiful wooded shores dotted with famous estates, including many fine old homes of Dutch settlers. At Kingston Point and Catskill travelers make connections for Catskill Mountain resorts. The Catskills with their crags and valleys a few miles west of the river are famous the world over in the legend of Rip Van Winkle, are seen by travelers from the decks of a Day Line steamer. Presently the steamer's whistle announces a landing at the old whaling port of Hudson. Then begins the northernmost leg of the journey. You sail past quaint lighthouses, and among wooded islands that give you the feeling of exploring a chain of lakes. Finally the towers of the State Capitol appear above the horizon.
Truly a rare and wonderful route for a day's sail, with stirring drama in every mile. Many people enjoy it again and again, and see new sights each time. Delicious food is served in dining rooms where the marvelous panorama is in full view on both sides. Cafeteria service is also available. These famous steamers are themselves part of the whole pageant of the Hudson. They are worthy companions of the River. Together they create a trip not-to-be missed and always-to-be-remembered.
See a PDF of Hudson River Travel Map (Hudson River Dayline brochure).
Map of the Hudson River Showing Route of the Hudson River Day Line
A map of the Hudson River, showing the route of the Hudson River Day Line steamships. The map is divided in two parts, with the left-hand side showing the river from New York City north to Poughkeepsie and the right-hand side continuing from Poughkeepsie north to Albany. Drawings of local landmarks decorate certain locations along the route, including the State Capitol at Albany, Vassar College at Poughkeepsie, the Military Academy at West Point, and the Trylon and Perisphere of the World's Fair at New York City (which dates the brochure to around 1939). An inset in the middle shows a map of bus lines to Catskill Mountain resorts.
Image source: (brochure from Fred B. Abele Transportation History Collection (SC22662), Box 70, Folder 14)
Steamer Alida
The exodus of Drew and Vanderbilt as major players in the steamboat business provided an opportunity for smaller, independent operators to offer day-boat service between New York and Albany.
Alfred Van Santvoord was one of the entrepreneurs who seized this opportunity. He bought the steamboat Alida and entered the day boat business in 1856. Another steamboat, the Armenia, owned by Captain Isaac Smith, also ran between Albany and New York, with little interference to Van Santvoord's boat. (When the Alida was going upriver, the Armenia was going down river.) Although independently owned, the two boats provided regular service.
Steamer Daniel Drew
In 1860, the steamboat Daniel Drew, owned by Daniel Drew, entered day boat service, but Drew soon sold his interest. It then was purchased at auction in 1863 by Alfred Van Santvoord and his partners, John McB. Davidson and Chauncey Vibbard, to operate as a day boat. The Daniel Drew was one of the best boats on the river, and Van Santvoord announced he would soon build a new steamboat to run with the Daniel Drew.
Facing this threatened competition, Captain Smith sold the Armenia to Von Santvoord. The steamers Daniel Drew and Armenia began to operate as day boats between Albany and New York on the same schedule as a single line. This combined operation was the beginning of the Hudson River Day Line.
Image source: Daniel Drew, photograph, ca.1870s
William B. Elmendorf Papers – SC11970, Box 3, Folder 1)
Steamer Mary Powell – “Queen of the Hudson"
Most beloved of all the steamboats on the Hudson River, and perhaps the best-known American side-wheeler of the nineteenth century, was the Mary Powell. Honored as the “Queen of the Hudson” for her style and speed, she dominated the river, becoming the standard of comparison not only for other passenger vessels but also for private steam yachts.
The Mary Powell, built in 1861, sailed on the waters of the Hudson River over 55 years. For virtually her entire career, she left Kingston early in the morning, made landings at Poughkeepsie, Milton, Newburgh and Cornwall, and arrived at her pier in lower Manhattan in the late morning. For her return trip, she would leave New York at 3:30 p.m. and arrive back at Kingston in the early evening.
The Mary Powell had but two captains for most of her years of operation: Captain Absalom Anderson and his son, Captain A. Eltinge Anderson. Known as a "family boat," Captain Anderson saw to it that all passengers conducted themselves properly. If they did not, it was said they ran the risk of being put ashore at the next landing.
Image source: (Fred B. Abele Transportation History Collection
SC22662, Box 26, Folder 11a)
Letter of Captain A. Eltinge Anderson to William B. Elmendorf, June 9, 1906
Letter of Captain A. Eltinge Anderson to William B. Elmendorf, June 9, 1906
(Mary Powell Steamboat Company letterhead)
Text of letter:
My dear Mr. Elmendorf:
Replying to yours just received-My father was in command of the Powell from 1862 to 1866- Captain Frost from 1888 to 1871 My father again from 1871 to 1883, Captain Cornell 1883 to 1886. A.E. Anderson from 1886 to the present time.
We find business very poor, the weather is too cold. With best wishes,
Very truly yours,
[signed] A.E. Anderson
Image source: Letter of Captain A. Eltinge Anderson to William B. Elmendorf,
June 9, 1906. Mary Powell Steamboat Company letterhead
(William B. Elmendorf Papers – SC11970, Box 1, Folder 1)
Steamer Chauncey Vibbard
In the first full season of the Day Line in 1864 the steamer Chauncey Vibbard was launched and paired with the Daniel Drew to provide regular steamboat service between New York and Albany. Service was offered six days a week, but never on Sunday. As one of the steamboats was traveling upriver, the other was traveling downriver. The Day Line claimed its steamboats operated under the “nine hour system.” That is, it took nine hours for the boats to complete the trip between Albany and New York City, with Poughkeepsie as the half-way point for these trips.
Image source: Chauncey Vibbard, photograph, 1882
(William B. Elmendorf Papers – SC11970, Box 3, Folder 2)
Steamers Albany and New York
In the 1880s the Day Line, in order to better promote its business, felt that it needed to upgrade its fleet with new boats that were not only larger and faster, but also more elegant in appearance and décor. The Day Line introduced the Albany in 1880 and the New York in 1887.
These two new steamers, built on iron hulls 300 feet in length, could accommodate 1,500 passengers and claimed to be the fastest steamboats in the world. hey were built exclusively for carrying passengers, and were said to be the finest boats ever constructed for the business. The Day Line advertisements emphasized that it was "strictly first-class – no freight."
These boats featured spacious cabins finished in highly polished woods; they were handsomely paneled, luxuriously furnished and adorned with statuary and paintings by celebrated artists. The dining rooms were on the main deck, where the traveler could enjoy an excellent dinner, which was served on the European plan, and lose nothing of the view of the most charming of American rivers.
Image 1 source: Albany, photograph, 1882
(William B. Elmendorf Papers – SC11970, Box 3, Folder 1)
Image 2 source: New York, photograph, ca. 1890s
(William B. Elmendorf Papers – SC11970, Box 3, Folder 3)
The Hendrick Hudson
The Hendrick Hudson was put into service in 1906 at a cost of almost a million dollars. She had an advertised length of over 400 feet and was licensed to carry 5,500 passengers.
Art was commissioned for interior decoration. Murals depicting Henry Hudson's Halve Maene, Washington Irving's home, the senate house at Kingston, and the capitol at Albany were part of the interior displays.
Text of the postcard featuring First Pilot Winne:
Hudson River Day Line - the nerve center.
In electric and pneumatic connection with every part of the great Steamer Hendrick Hudson; First Pilot Winne at Steam Steering Wheel.
Image 1 source: Hand colored postcard issued by Albertype Company,
Brooklyn, N.Y. Fred B. Abele Transportation History Collection
– SC22662, Box 26, Folder 9b
Image 2 source: Hudson River Dayline-The nerve center, Postcard(William B. Elmendorf Papers– SC11970, Box 3, Folder 4
The Robert Fulton
Introduced in 1909 for the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, the Robert Fulton replaced the New York, which had burned at Newburgh the previous year. The interior boasted five murals by marine artist Samuel Ward Stanton showing the development of steam navigation on the Hudson River. The Day Line's Hendrick Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Albany steamers led the first division of the great naval parade marking the centennial of steam navigation and the tricentennial of Hudson’s voyage up the Hudson. Over 750 vessels participated in the parade, including over 100 steamboats.
Image source: Giant picture postcard issued by Albertype Company, Brooklyn, N.Y. ca. 1920s (Fred B. Abele Transportation
History Collection – SC22662, Box 26, Folder 9a