Edwin Dunbaugh's newest book, combining 49 nostalgic period photographs of steamships and in-depth historical research, will appeal to enthusiasts of maritime history and to students of New England business and maritime developments. Overnight steamboats between New York and ports in southern New England reached its zenith in the early years of the 20th century. This book presents the definitive account of the steamboats of that era, 1907 to 1942, when parades of beautiful steamers departed from their piers in Manhattan in the early evening and proceeded overnight through Long Island Sound to New England ports as far away as Boston and Portland. The New England Steamship Company was the dominant operator of these steamer lines. These overnight boats were the first reliable and consistent form of transportation in the area for commuters, tourists, and business travelers. As the steamers carried tons of cargo as well as travelers, their services were essential to manufacturers in the industrial communities of central New England. A decline in steamboat travel began in the 1930s as a result both of the Depression and of competition from automobiles and trucks. By 1942, when the few steamers still in operation were requisitioned for service in World War II, the era of this elegant and comfortable mode of intercity transportation had ended. Using research from maritime journals of the time and contemporary newspapers from port cities, Dunbaugh puts the economic rise and decline of steamship services into perspective, describing the impact of technology, competition, and natural disasters.
