I found a very poor quality picture of a stern wheeler loaded with cotton bales up to the boat deck.  
Does any one know any thing about these cotton steamers?  maybe pictures of one unloaded or even some plans?

Bill

The best place is Taubman's plan Service now owned by Loyalhanna Dockyard.
http://www.taubmansonline.com/
They're called packet boats and were the most common vessel on the rivers in the 1800's

Another source even for civil war boats is maryland Silver Co.
http://www.marylandsilver.com/