H6109

Mighty Mississippi

Crescent City Connection Bridges, LA

Cover Announcement 

In a Louisiana bayou, an active alligator is always a very dangerous threat. Cypress trees line this portion of the  river, and this gator is always on the lookout for prey. A large reptile, its diet consists of fish, turtles, birds, and other water life. They are found along the Gulf coast but prefer a fresh still water habitat.

Steamboats played a very important role in the development of the mighty river and its tributaries in the 1800s. Large scale transportation of both passengers and fieight up and down the river was accomplished by the use of steam powered riverboats. The first such boat, the "New Orleans" was launched in 1811. It was a steam-powered side-wheeler with the rotation providing the power for the ship to navigate in shallow water as well as moving upriver against fast currents. The "Enterprise" was the fourth Mississippi riverboat and was launched in 1814. It featured a high-pressure steam engine and a single stern paddle wheel. This is the type featured on my hand painted cachet. Railroads eventually replaced these grand boats as a faster means of transportation. Today a small number of Mississippi steamboats are still used for tourists and recall their golden age in the 1800s.