Re-discovered Steamers

My comparison of The Lytle-Holdcamper List and the BM Laughlin Book of steamers built at Pittsburgh from 1811-1904 is hereby duly declared complete.  Each steamer named by BM Laughlin was searched for in The Lytle-Holdcamper List.  The comparison was conducted through the years 1811- 1840 or, by another measure, five-hundred-fifteen (515) steamboats.  The comparison has been terminated because there were no differences found in either year 1839 or 1840.  By my count, forty two (42) steamboats have been re-discovered.  Those steamboats, not listed in The Lytle-Holdcamper List, can be accessed from The BM Laughlin Rediscovered Steamboats

My search arguments in developing this report were quite generous.  As long a steamboat was listed within plus or minus two years of the BM Laughlin build date with the same name or close to the same name and built in Pittsburgh or the Pittsburgh region, a match was declared.  The rate of difference between the two lists through 1840 was still 8.16%. 

 

Names presented the greatest challenge.  For example, there are twenty (20) steamers named Delaware in The Lytle-Holdcamper List.  BM Laughlin listed two additional Delawares that did not match any of the build dates and/or places of build.  Today there are at least twenty-two steamboats named Delaware

 

Where spelling and name abbreviations were questionable, I checked a combination of names.  Str Eliza invoked checks on Elizabeth, Lizzie, Lady Elizabeth, etc.  For Str Geo Baynard, I checked “George Baynard”, “George MI Baynard”, “General George Baynard”, etc. 

 

No doubt, I have missed a few names — omitted some because of inappropriate matches and included some because of failed checks.  The raw data is available to those who can make the time to correct my work.

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