Image Credits
Henry Miller Shreve
One individual played a part in three
significant developments that opened up the
Mississippi River to steamboats: Henry Miller Shreve.
As an engine designer he made important improvements in steamboat
technology. He helped break the Fulton-Livingston steamboat monopoly,
allowing free access to the lower Mississippi. He was instrumental
in cleaning up the Big Muddy, removing snags
and generally improving
the river's condition for steamboat traffic.