Roustabout Collection

South Street docks in New York City, 1870s
Merchant ships unloading along South Street, New York City, 1870s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Riverboats at Shreveport, Louisiana, 1870s
Stevedores loading barrels at the Red River levee at Shreveport, Louisiana, 1870s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Ohio River at Cincinnati, Ohio, 1860s
Riverboats loading at the Ohio River levee in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1860s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Fishing boats unloading in London, 1800s
Landing fish at Billingsgate Market, London, 1880s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Steamboat taking on cargo, Mississippi river, 1800s
Mississippi steamboat loading cattle and corn, New Madrid, Missouri, circa 1880. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Cargo ship at a New York City wharf, 1870s
Unloading bananas from a sailing ship, New York City, 1870. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Oil drill operators handling drilling machinery. Oil drills are used to drill deep into the ground to reach underground reservoirs of oil

BUSN2A-00187
Unloading tea-ships in the British East India Companys docks, London, 1860s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th century illustration

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"Roustabout: The Unsung Heroes of America's Waterways and Wharfs" Step back in time to the bustling South Street docks in New York City during the 1870s. Witness the riverboats at Shreveport, Louisiana, as they navigate through the mighty Mississippi River. Imagine the Ohio River at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1860s, where commerce thrived along its banks. In this captivating era of history, black slaves loaded cotton onto steamboats in New Orleans while a cotton wharf buzzed with activity in Charleston SC during the 1870s. A young boy wearing a hat sits astride a horse amidst a lively cattle yard. Across continents and centuries, fishing boats unload their bounties on London's shores during the 1800s. Meanwhile, steamboats take on cargo along the majestic Mississippi River during that same era. Witness cotton bales being meticulously loaded onto boats in New Orleans. The hardworking black stevedores of St. Louis, Missouri labor tirelessly throughout the 1890s to ensure goods are efficiently transported from ship to shore. And let us not forget about oil drill operators who risk it all for energy exploration. Finally, picture yourself standing at a New York City wharf during the vibrant 1870s as cargo ships arrive and depart with precious merchandise from around the world. These roustabouts – these unsung heroes – were essential cogs within America's maritime industry; their sweat and determination fueled progress and prosperity across our nation's waterways and beyond. Their stories deserve recognition for shaping our past and inspiring future generations to appreciate their invaluable contributions.