Keelboat

Definition

A shallow-draft riverboat with a keel that runs the length of its hull, designed for navigating inland waterways and capable of traveling upstream against current. Popular on American frontier rivers, keelboats could carry substantial cargo and were propelled by poles, oars, or sails.

Example Usage

The keelboat navigated the Missouri River, its crew using long poles to push it upstream against the strong current.

Origin

From 'keel' (the central timber of a ship's hull) plus 'boat'; the design emphasized a strong backbone for river navigation.

Fun Fact

Legendary flatboatman Mike Fink and young Abraham Lincoln both worked on keelboats during America's frontier expansion.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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