I was not aware of this, but at one time it was necessary to obtain a license from NY State to pilot a steam boat. Recently, Gordon B. Foster provided me with a copy of his grandfather’s license which enabled his grandfather to be a pilot and an engineer on a “steam motor vessel”.
This is one of the more interesting pieces of memorabilia that I have seen. It was issued August 13, 1924 in the name of Fred L. Foster and designated that Lake George was the body of water where the vessel could be operated.
I never knew there was an office of Inspectors of Steam and Motor Vessels.