The term "workhorse" here has a figurative meaning. I don't know if it can be used to refer to a ship.
I'm also not sure about the article before boats and the translation of "were seen"
Here is the whole passage:
Boats of all shapes and sizes were seen on the river, but the real workhorse was the Hudson River sloop.
Dei navi di tutte le forme e le misure sono stati veduti nel fiume ma il vero cavallo di lavoro fu il sloop del Hudson.
Thanks for your help.
I'm also not sure about the article before boats and the translation of "were seen"
Here is the whole passage:
Boats of all shapes and sizes were seen on the river, but the real workhorse was the Hudson River sloop.
Dei navi di tutte le forme e le misure sono stati veduti nel fiume ma il vero cavallo di lavoro fu il sloop del Hudson.
Thanks for your help.