There are two basic ways to mount paddle wheels on a ship; either a single wheel on the rear, known as a
stern-wheeler, or a paddle wheel
Kaynak: Paddle steamerThe Iron Mountain was a
stern-wheeler that plied the Mississippi River for ten years until sinking in 1882. Built in 1872 on the Ohio
Kaynak: Iron Mountain (riverboat)This required some modification, because the T.J. Potter was a side-
wheeler, whereas the Wide West had been a
stern-wheeler.
Kaynak: T. J. PotterOriginally named Mark Twain Steamboat when the park opened in 1955, the stately, 5/8-scale
stern-wheeler was the first functional
Kaynak: Mark Twain RiverboatAnother
stern-wheeler was launched that same year, the S.S. Okanagan, for use in the Okanagan Lake, while other
stern-wheelers came to
Kaynak: PentictonLake Minnetonka west of Minneapolis, along with the wrecks of the tug Hercules, side-
wheeler Minneapolis,
stern-wheeler Excelsior, and others.
Kaynak: Maritime Heritage MinnesotaStern-wheelers were more maneuverable than side-
wheelers and could make a landing just about anywhere. the
stern-wheeler type was dominant
Kaynak: Steamboats of the Columbia River The "Alice May" was based on the derelict
stern-wheeler the "Olive May" that belonged to the BL&K company and had originally been named
Kaynak: The Cremation of Sam McGeeOne of its last ships, the
stern-wheeler, was finally decommissioned at Mound City, Illinois , on 11 August 1865. She was sold at public
Kaynak: USS Argosy (1863)In other words, it was a paddle steamer with the paddle-wheels on the side as opposed to a
stern-wheeler, which has one wheel at the stern
Kaynak: PS Alexander Hamiltonevidence that the New Orleans was a side-
wheeler rather than a
stern-wheeler is supported by contemporary accounts, including the Louisiana
Kaynak: New Orleans (steamboat)Commissioned at New Orleans, Louisiana , on 28 May 1864, the
stern-wheeler, commanded by Act. Vol. Lt. George D. Upham, operated on the
Kaynak: USS Rodolph (1863)