The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. The river is around 484 km long, and is formed by the confluence of the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, today submerged beneath Lake Hartwell. It broadens into an estuary before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The area where the river's estuary meets the ocean is known as Tybee Roads.
Up until the 1800s, Georgia life revolved around the coast as most citizens lived within 50 miles of the ports. Traders along major rivers, including the Savannah, delivered deer skins, timber and naval stores to ocean-going vessels. Sloops ferried rice and cotton from coastal plantations to port towns. Steamboats played a major role in the 19th-century development of the Savannah River by allowing the practical large-scale transport of passengers and freight both up- and down-river.
Using steam power, the riverboats were developed during that time which could navigate in shallow waters as well as upriver against strong currents. After the development of railroads, passenger traffic gradually switched to this faster form of transportation, but steamboats continued to serve into the early 20th century. Even in nowadays old paddle wheel boats still can be seen, but their purpose is only turistic and leisure.
One of these is Savannah River Queen, a steamboat which can carry 600 passengers. It is decorated in traditional red, white and blue, and it has three dining rooms, a snack shop, three full-service bars, plus an open-air viewing deck with sunshade. This boat offers a private VIP room that can accommodate up to 30 guests. The vessels are available for private dinner cruise charters, suitable for corporate events, weddings and parties.
About the stamps
The first stamp is part of the series Pioneers of Aviation, issued between 1970 and 1999. It depicts Harriet Quimby and a Bleriot airplane, and was issued on April 27, 1991. Harriet Quimby (1875-1912) was an early American aviator and a movie screenwriter. In 1911, she was awarded a U.S. pilot's certificate by the Aero Club of America, becoming the first woman to gain a pilot's license in the United States. In 1912, she became the first woman to fly across the English Channel.
The second is a 20-cent stamp which depicts the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), and was issued on June 15, 1995.
The third stamps, issued on August 15, 1987, depicts Red Cloud (1822-1909), an important leader of the Oglala Lakota. One of the most capable Native American opponents the United States Army faced, he led a successful campaign in 1866-1868 known as Red Cloud's War over control of the Powder River Country in northeastern Wyoming and southern Montana.
The fourth stamp, depicting the surrender of General John Burgoyne at The Battle of Saratoga, a painting by John Tumbril (1750-1843), was issued on May 5, 1994. The historian Edmund Morgan argues that the surrender of the British army, "was a great turning point of the war, because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory." Is all about of course, about American Revolutionary War.
The last stamp, issued on May 17, 1991 and depicting a balloon, was designed by Pierre Mion.
References
Savannah River - Wikipedia
Georgia's rich maritime history largely unknown - News OK
Georgia's rich maritime history largely unknown - Online Athens
Riverboat Cruises With Dinners in Savannah, Georgia - USA Today
Sender: Denise
Sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 17.04.2014
Photo: James Randklev / 1996
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