Reproduction of a drawing showing a section of a packet boat on an eight-wheeled truck about to be hauled by mules to Pittsburgh. Shown at the point of departure in front of the Merchant's Exchange on Dock Street, a crowd gathers to wave farewell to the passengers on board the barge, named Sarah Jane.
Image published in Frank Taylor's "Old Philadelphia" prints, 1915-1927, with accompanying text:
The efforts of Pennsylvania to develop traffic and travel between the seaboard and the interior of the country resulted in the last century in a vast expenditure of public and corporate money upon canals and rail lines which have long ceased their functions. A picturesque feature of travel to the West, in the early forties, is shown in this drawing, which is based upon the recollections of old citizens. While the point of departure for the sectional packets was, generally, from Broad and Vine Streets, it is stated that both freight and passenger boats were hauled by mules from Dock street, being upon eight-wheeled rail-cars, and taken to the foot of Belmont incline, via High, Broad and Willow streets to Fairmount and Columbia Bridge. Raised upon the inclined plane by steam, they were placed, near Belmont, upon the State Railroad and pulled by horse-power to Columbia. Here the sections of the boats were united and proceeded via the Susquehanna and Juniata canals to Hollidaysburg. Thence the sections were transported over the mountains by the once famous portage inclines. From Johnstown the journey to Pittsburgh was via the Conemaugh and Alleghany rivers. The through trip occupied four and a half days.
Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927 - Artist
Merchants' Exchange Building
Packets (watercraft)
Mules (mammals)
Dock Street
Castner, Samuel, Jr., 1843-1929 - Compiler, Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927 - Artist. Castner Scrapbook v.10, Transportation, page 64. [Scrapbooks]. Retrieved from https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/57105
Castner, Samuel, Jr., 1843-1929 - Compiler, Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927 - Artist. Castner Scrapbook v.10, Transportation, page 64. Scrapbooks. Free Library of Philadelphia: Philadelphia, PA. https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/57105. (accessed Jan 20, 2021)