REPORT ON THE SECTION OF STEAM TRANSPORTATION IN THE U. S. 

 NATIONAL MUSEUM FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1886. 



By J. Elfreth Watkins, C. E., Honorary Curator. 



The sectiou of steam transportatiou was organized and placed under 

 my charge on the 13th of June, 1885. 



It is the design of this section to illustrate by drawings, models, rel- 

 ics, etc., the birth and development of steam transportation in America, 

 both on water and on land, so that the humble mechanic who visits the 

 Museum may be able to take away with him an intelligent idea of the 

 successive steps in the progress of invention of steam appliances, that 

 have led up to the ocean steam-ship and the fast passeuger express and 

 powerful consolidated freight locomotives of today. 



It seems indeed proper that an attempt should be made to preserve 

 the history of this department of industry, which has had such an im- 

 mense influence upon the growth of our nation and the development of 

 our civilization during the nineteenth century. 



It is estimated that up to January 1, 1886, 130,000 miles of railway 

 had been built, and $7,500,000,000 had been invested in railway stocks 

 and bonds in the United States, and over $2,000,000,000 in steam-ships 

 touching at American ports and steam-boats navigating inland streams, 

 a total of nearly $10,000,000,000— ten billions of dollars. 



In 1883 the total taxable property, real and ijersonal, as assessed to 

 the thirty-eight States, was $17,026,307,374.* 



The ceusus tables of 1880 give the following enumeration of people 

 in the United States who are connected with the transportation indus- 

 try: 



Steamboatnien, stewards, etc r)r>, 53G 



Railway officials, clerks, and employes 250, 458 



Express officials, clerks, and employes 14,860 



Transportation companies and enqiloyds 9, 702 



Total 8:^0,556 



Of the 17,392,000 persons engaged in all branches of labor, trade, 

 manufacture, and professions in the United States in 1880, the number 



* Seo Spoflbrd's American Almanac, 1884, page 105. 



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