 The industry 's success , however , did not guarantee safety . In the early decades before the river 's flow was controlled by man , its sketchy rises and falls and its massive amounts of sediment , which prevented a clear view of the bottom , wrecked some 300 vessels . Because of the dangers of navigating the Missouri River , the average ship 's lifespan was short , only about four years . The development of the Transcontinental and Northern Pacific Railroads marked the beginning of the end of steamboat commerce on the Missouri . Outcompeted by trains , the number of boats slowly dwindled , until there was almost nothing left by the 1890s . Transport of agricultural and mining products by barge , however , saw a revival in the early twentieth century . 
 The industry <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>success , however , did not guarantee <a href='negative_concord' title='2'><mark>safety</mark></a> . In the early decades before the river <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>flow was controlled by man , its sketchy rises and <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>falls</mark></a> and its massive amounts of sediment , which prevented a clear view of the bottom , wrecked some 300 vessels . Because of the dangers of navigating the Missouri River , the average ship <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>lifespan<a href='been_done' title='6'><mark></mark></a> was short , only about four years . The development of the Transcontinental and Northern Pacific Railroads marked the beginning of the end of steamboat commerce on the Missouri . Outcompeted by trains , the number of boats slowly dwindled , until <a href='dey_it' title='7'><mark>there</mark></a> <a href='negative_concord' title='8'><mark>was</mark></a> almost <a href='negative_concord' title='9'><mark>nothing</mark></a> left by the 1890s . Transport of agricultural and mining products by barge , however , saw a revival in the early twentieth century . 
The industry  success , however , did not guarantee no safety . In the early decades before da river  flow was controlled by man , its sketchy rises and fall and its massive amounts of sediment , which prevented a clear view of tdabottom , wrecked sum 300 vessels . Because of the dangers of navigating the Missouri River , thdaverage ship  lifespan been was short , only about four years . Thedavelopment of the Transcontinental and Northern Pacific Railroads marked the dainning of the end of steamboat commerce on the Missouri . Outcompeted by trains , the ndaer of boats slowly dwindled , untill it ain't almost nothing left by the 18da . Transport of agricultural and mining products by barge , however , saw a revival in the early twentieth century .