People in the past used boats to travel. Using boats was the fastest way to travel. Early travelers used boats to travel North America. By the 1700’s boats were going up and down steams. The Mississippi river was named by Algonkian-speaking Native Americans. There words Misi Sipi means “big water or “Father of the Waters.” The Mississippi river is the longest river in the US.  This is a picture of the Mississippi river. For Centuries things have been traveling by ship. Native Americans used ships to trade with other people.