Steamboats on the Susquehanna: the Wyoming Valley experience

 On May 31st 7:00pm guest speaker Charles Patrillo Historian and author gave a slide presentation on steamboats on the Susquehanna.  Charles explained how, in the mid 1800's, transportation systems evolved in the Wyoming Valley.

Charles explains that In the pre-railroad days transportation for both people and freight was necessary. Our coal rich region also created the need to move the coal.  Charles illustrated in slides of drawings and photos  early disposable coal barges  that could carry up to 180 tons of coal down the Susquehanna River to towns below.   When the barges reached their destination, they were dismantled and the operators would hike back to the the Wyoming valley to prepare another load.

In the pre-trolley days canal systems were created by damming the Susquehanna, thus creating lakes and a supply source of water for the canals.  Canal cars would be pulled by mules to their destination. Remnants of such systems are still around today and are visible right here in the Nanticoke, West Nanticoke and Hanover township areas. In spite of the river being polluted with both mining waste water and sanitary sewage, beaches and bath houses existed along the Susquehanna and the river was used for recreational purposes.

Steamboat ferries, although short lived, did exist here in the Nanticoke, Wilkes-barre, Pittston areas. Both types of ferries with rear paddle and side wheel construction carried passengers up and down the Susquehanna.  Stations existed in West Nanticoke and Wilkes-Barre near the Market Street Bridge.


Although this short and probably inaccurate synopsis of the presentation does not do justice to Charles' informative and fascinating presentation, it does highlight the key topics.


Charles books are available through our friends at the Luzerne County Historical Society


150 Years of Photography in the Wyoming Valley
Author:  F. Charles Petrillo
Description:  A brief history of the area’s historical photographers.
Size:  8 ½ x 11   Paperback – 12 Pages
Published:  1990
Cost:  $3.50


Steamboats on the Susquehanna: The Wyoming Valley Experience
Author:  F. Charles Petrillo
Description:  A history of the valley’s unique experience with steamboats on the river between 1825 and 1902, with 37 photographs and illustrations.
Size:  11 x 8 ½  Paperback – 79 Pages
Published:  1993
Cost:  $10.00

Anthracite and Slackwater: The North Branch Canal, 1828-1901 by F. Charles Petrillo (Jun 1986)