I’ve never really been on a “showboat” before. I’ve had three similar experiences.
One, we took a large “dinner cruise” out of New York City with our two oldest grandkids. We sailed out and around the Statue of Liberty and back into our port. The entire boat ride / dinner lasted a few hours. There was music, but no show. Except for the big green lady outside our windows.
The next two were both on the Ohio River.
The first time was a big riverboat filled with lots of drunk people drinking. It was for the “Cincinnati Tall Stacks” celebration one year. It was a long time ago. I was among them.
The next time was when my Mom had dementia. She loved riverboat trips. So we took her on one of the three-hour riverboat trips on the Ohio River. Up one way, turn around, and back the same way. We passed a Hooters Restaurant near the start and end of the cruise. After she found out they served food, Mom started exclaiming, rather loudly, “I want to go to Hooters. I want to go to Hooters.”
We didn’t.
I bring this up because on today’s date, October 20, 1817, the first Mississippi “Showboat” left Nashville on her maiden voyage.
Yes, this first showboat “experience” is often credited to the “New Orleans.” It was the creation of Captain Henry Miller Shreve, a steamboat captain and inventor.
It was not the big paddle wheel type that we all “see” in our minds when we think of showboats. Nope. The “New Orleans” was a traditional flatboat that had been transformed into a floating theater and entertainment venue.
The concept of these “floating theaters” evolved gradually over time. There were more than likely several earlier and smaller-scale attempts in this venue. You know, people singing and playing out on the river on some raft. However, the “New Orleans” is significant because it marked the beginning of a more organized and popular form of riverboat entertainment along the Mississippi River.
It was successful, too. People loved being out on that boat, cruising along the great Mississippi River, drinking, and watching the shows. This led to the development of more showboats, and the concept continued to evolve throughout the 19th century, with these floating theaters becoming a staple of entertainment along the Mississippi.
By the early 20th century, showboats had mostly faded from the American entertainment scene. I am sure you can still buy a ticket on one of these boats. But they are nothing like they were back in the days of long gone by.
Two things come to mind about this.
Why do we humans like to be on boats?
Why do some humans like to be showboats themselves?
To the first question. I suppose I have enjoyed a boat ride. Mostly when I was a kid. It felt neat to be out there on the water. Something new and different. But as an adult, I’m less attracted to this type of activity.
People have taken us for rides on their boats. Yeah. It was okay, I suppose.
We went whale-watching in Hawaii. That was a mostly boring and long boat ride. However, we briefly saw a whale for about three minutes of the four-hour trip. Other than that, it was water, water, water.
I know a lot of people own boats and will go hang out on weekends in places like Lakengren, Brookville Lake, Norris Lake, or Cumberland Lake. But again, water.
Maybe it is the Taurus in me. Earth Sign. Bull. I’d rather be on land, looking at ants or moss, or something.
So, all you boat lovers out there, tell me why.
And the second question. People who are showboats.
We’ve all seen them. Most of us know one or two personally in our lives. They can be showboaty in certain areas and not in others, too. I think it is the need for attention. I prefer to be the wallflower, or even the fly on the wall, sans any swatters.
So there it is. A historical look at the first showboat, as well as many things boaty.
Michael. Do me a favor.
Row your boat ashore.
Do you have it there?
Oh, good.
Hallelujah.
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We did not all come over on the same ship, but we are all in the same boat.
— Bernard Baruch
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The man who rows the boat seldom has time to rock it.
— Bill Copeland
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Someone asked me, if I were stranded on a desert island what book would I bring… ‘How to Build a Boat.’
— Steven Wright
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A boat filled with the show. And people like them.
