Steamboat-Yellowstone-First-up-the-Missouri-River-1831 In July 1831 the steamboat Yellowstone pointed the way for Bertrand and other vessels by completing the first successful commercial run of the Missouri River. (The Steamer Yellow-stone, by Karl Bodmer Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase, Mary E. Maxwell Fund)) The Steamer Yellow-stone, by Karl Bodmer Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase, Mary E. Maxwell Fund)