| dc.description.abstract | The Finger Lakes region in Central New York has a rich, often overlooked maritime past. Its unique geography with many rivers and large lakes made water the most efficient means of early transportation. Additionally, the strategic location between critical waterways on the Great Lakes and the Hudson River spurred the improvement of water routes through the region by European colonizers. Many factors, including natural resources, environmental quality, regional geography, and the method of European settlement influenced the development of maritime activity on each lake.
Each lake in the Finger Lakes region developed different and distinct trans-lake industries largely depending on their location, resources, and later connection to transportation networks. The lack of connection to any canals prevented Skaneateles Lake from supporting much freight transportation, but the picturesque environment led to a thriving tourism industry.
In the beginning of the 19th century Skaneateles Lake was primarily occupied by rafts, sailing barges, and private yachts. Commercial steamboats were introduced to the lake in 1831, but they were not economically successful until 1866. The first four of these boats serving as freighters and stage connections were failures, and two of them were converted to schooners for freight service. Railroad connection, reduced fares, and recreation destinations along the lake led to four successful steamboats in the latter half of the 19th century. By 1915 competition with automobiles and decreased demand caused steamboat service to cease. | |
