In this volume, Oskar Teubert presents inland navigation from its beginnings in antiquity through the Middle Ages with the invention of the lock, up to the early 20th century. In the first part, he describes, among other things, the invention of the steamship, the development of German rivers, Prussian canal constructions, and activities abroad. The second part introduces the vessels of inland navigation: size, shape, construction, and equipment of cargo ships without their own propulsion, powered ships with steam and gas engines, as well as electric drive, and much more. Illustrated with 538 images and 7 waterway maps. Reprint of the original first volume from 1912.