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Rare c1910 Mount Hope Steamboat Photo Postcard Set Narragansett Bay Steamer
Smaller photo's approximate size: 3.75 inches x 2.75 inches
Larger photo's approximate size: 5.5 inches x 3.5 inches
Postcard's approximate size: 5.3 inches x 3.5 inches
This is a rare photo/postcard set of the steamboat Mount Hope. There are not many of these on the open market. The smallest and the largest of the three are actual photos, and the middle size item is a postcard from the 1930s. The smallest photo is c1910. The largest photo is c1920 and was taken by a mariner photographer.
Mount Hope was designed by notable naval architect George Peirce.It was originally built as strictly a summer boat in 1888 and was one of the largest Narragansett Bay passenger steamboats at 193 feet, with a carrying capacity up to 3,000 passengers.
While in use, it once ran against a catboat and killed its driver, giving him a slash over the eye. They found his body floating in the water in Mount Hope's wake. There were two others on the catboat at the time, and they were presumed lost.
Starting July 1st, 1893, the Mount Hope made excursions to Block Island every Tuesday and Saturday, leaving Providence from Fall River Steamboat Wharf, foot of Power Street. It only cost $1.00 for a departure and return. This was hosted by D.C. Lawton, agent and treasurer.
Mount Hope’s diminishing finances ultimately compelled its owners to dispose of it in 1936 among the other abandoned vessels already lining the eastern shore of the harbor at Bold Point. It was raised and abandoned in the ship graveyard on Green Jacket Shoal off of Bold Point in East Providence.
Please inspect the pictures, as they give the best representation of condition.
The photo paper of the smallest photo is fairly thin. The back has some damage from where it was likely kept in a photo album. The size is slightly irregularly shaped as though perhaps shaved down from its original size.
(A100 inventory number)
