The invention of the steam engine significantly transformed transportation by enabling more efficient and faster travel. Among the responses provided, the most accurate one regarding the impact of steam-powered transportation is:
Henry Shreve’s modified steamboat could carry more without getting stuck on the riverbed.
This highlights how advancements in steam technology improved river navigation and cargo transport, making it more effective and reliable. Other options mention figures related to steam-powered locomotion and the preference for traditional travel methods, but the response about Shreve emphasizes a direct improvement in river transport capability.