Front:
USA25
Walk in the WRBEAN
1989
70113
LA
Back:
STEAMBOAT WALK IN THE WATER — 1818
First Day of Issue: March 3, 1989
First Issue Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
The Walk in the Water is among the most famous steam-
boats, certainly due in part to her quaint name. An Indian
who had seen a steamboat described the craft to his
people as the "walk in the water." This came to be a
widely known nickname, and was used to christen the
craft built at Black Rock, near Buffalo, in 1818. The Walk
in the Water was the first steamboat to sail on Lake Erie
and the upper Great Lakes, running between Buffalo and
Detroit for three seasons. During her last season running,
her owners operated her dangerously late into the year.
On the evening of her last run, Lake Erie was in the grip
of a fierce gale. The boat developed leaks, and soon her
pumps were fighting a losing battle. Her captain dropped
anchor, and prepared for a rough night. By 4:30 the next
morning, several anchor lines had snapped, and the boat
had been savagely tossed ashore. Passengers, crew and
much of the fittings, however, were saved. The Walk in
the Water's engine was salvaged and used in two later
boats and was in operation until 1902.
No. 89-10
©1989 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by John Swatsley
