[PeaRidge]

Like I said. You have only guesses and speculation.

s could stand for sail, steam, side paddle, stern-wheel...take your pick.

Whatever your choice, it is still a guess, so don't go off the deep end.

[Heyworth]

Then by what certainty do you declare that "st. ship" means steam boat? "st. ships" meaning steam boats only works if the number of steam boat arrivals in N.O. were one-tenth of what multiple sources point to them being. Do you really believe that less than one steam boat a day docked at New Orleans?