Shockoe Slip in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
James River Bateaumen
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 30, 2019
1. James River Bateaumen Marker
Inscription.
James River Bateaumen. . The James River bateau, first used in the 1770s, was the primary means of transporting goods up and down the river between Richmond and points west until 1840, when the James River and Kanawha Canal was completed to Lynchburg. Crews of three men, often free or enslaved African Americans, performed the difficult and sometimes dangerous work of poling and steering the long, narrow boats. Largely unsupervised, bateaumen were entrusted with great responsibilities. They carried tobacco, grains, iron ore, coal, and other commodities to Richmond, helping to make the city a hub for industry and commerce. Traffic typically terminated at the Great Basin, built in 1800 1/5 mile northwest of here.
The James River bateau, first used in the 1770s, was the primary means of transporting goods up and down the river between Richmond and points west until 1840, when the James River and Kanawha Canal was completed to Lynchburg. Crews of three men, often free or enslaved African Americans, performed the difficult and sometimes dangerous work of poling and steering the long, narrow boats. Largely unsupervised, bateaumen were entrusted with great responsibilities. They carried tobacco, grains, iron ore, coal, and other commodities to Richmond, helping to make the city a hub for industry and commerce. Traffic typically terminated at the Great Basin, built in 1800 1/5 mile northwest of here.
Erected 2019 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-120.)
Location. 37° 31.984′ N, 77° 26.021′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Shockoe Slip. Marker is on Virginia Street, 0.1 miles south of East Canal Street, on the left when traveling
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south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Virginia Street, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2019, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2019, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.