Disadvantages Of Sailing Ship

Before trains, cars, trucks, and airplanes existed, rivers were used for transportation and travel. They carried people and goods from one place to another. Sailing ships have the great advantage of using a source of power-the wind-that is entirely free. Movement therefore is cheap, because the sailing ship’s outfit of masts, spars, and sails is fairly long-lasting. Only a small amount of the hull’s volume needs be devoted to carrying spare sails and spars, leaving most of the hull free for the carriage of cargo or men and warships. On the other side of the coin, however, are the facts that sailing ships are tied to the prevailing weather conditions and cannot sail directly into the wind. The first of these disadvantages results in slow sailing

The Clermont maintained a regular service along the Hudson River between New York and Albany: on her maiden trip, she made the 240-mile round trip in 62 hours. This is an example of one of the many uses for a steamboat. Most times steamboats are used to carry supplies, or it would carry passengers across water. Generally, they could hold lots of cargo and supplies at one time instead of carrying a few things on a simple paddle boat. Once the steamboat came around, people didn’t have to do as much work because it was steampowered instead of the man powered paddle boat . Steamboats saved time, traveled faster, farther, and carried more supplies. With the invention of steamboats, it still brought about many challenges. In just 40 years following the introduction of the steamboat in 1807, it is estimated that approximately 500 steamboats blew up causing about 4,000 deaths. The average lifespan of a steamboat was only about 4 to 5 years. Some of the causes were due to racing, boiler explosions, collisions, and the hitting of underwater obstacles. Additionally, the steamboat was made of wood which increased the chance of fire. However, steamboats quickly became an icon of the west. People could travel more easier and safer. Before, men were having to travel down the Mississippi River using boats propelled by themselves. They were then forced to sell the rafts for wood since they were not able to make it up the strong current of the Mississippi River. Instead, they were forced to travel by foot back up the country. Steamboats made an impact on the average importers life, changing the world forever. Steamboats positively affected the world because they made the transportations of goods more efficient and helped the economy. Travel time was