Rhode Island Picture Post Cards
Steamship "General" in Wickford Harbor 1908
Wickford Railroad and Steamship Company
(Scroll Down for History and Background Information)

The Postcard  was sent on January 18, 1908 to Miss Bertha Northrup in East Greenwich from a friend in Wickford, Rhode Island. The stamp is the Benjamin Franklin - 1 cent Booklet Issue of 1900 to 1908 - Scott 300b. This was the first one cent stamp ever issued by the United States in booklet form. There were only three booklet stamps issued previous to this issue, (1900-1903) and they were all 2 cent stamps. The reverse of the card has two toning stains where it was originally taped in an album.

The face of the postcard shows the steamship General at her pier in Wickford Harbor. The Wickford Railroad and Steamboat Company began carrying passengers from Wickford to Newport and back in May of 1870. The General was in operation from 1893 to 1925.

Passengers could board a train in New York (The New York, Providence and Boston Railroad) and then connect with the Wickford Railroad and Steamboat Company's spur at Wickford Junction. This branch railroad was 3.5 miles in length with stops at LaFayette, Belleville, Wickford, and Wickford Landing. After arriving at Wickford Landing, the passengers would board the General for the 75 minute trip to Newport, RI. 

See: 1887 Cover -  RPO Cancel New York, Providence and Boston for a complete history of the railroad line.