By the time of the Civil War,  Chattanooga had become the major commercial and transportation center for southeastern Tennessee.  Despite the navigation barrier downstream at Muscle Shoals (Alabama), Chattanooga enjoyed extensive river trade on the upper Tennessee, especially with Knoxville.  This river traffic interconnected with three railroads (Nashville & Chattanooga, East Tennessee & Georgia, and Western & Atlantic) at Chattanooga.  Because Chattanooga was located along the path for Union advance from Nashville to Atlanta, all of its transportation facilities were to play roles in the war's military actions.  Steamboats operating on the Tennessee River near Chattanooga helped resupply Union troops.
 
 

As shown on the above map, Chattanooga had a "Ship Yard" among its many riverside facilities.  The Union Quartermaster's Department built transport steamers on the Tennessee River at Chattanooga, as documented in the following 1864 photograph:
 
 

  River Ports and Shipyards

Last update:  September 12, 2001