The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-04-08
TIE FIRST STEAMBOAT.


The Worth american Rcpiew, (ror Oc-
toher, 1S1l) contains an anccGo,e with
respect to the frs, trial of FuIton's steam
boat experiment, by Judge Story, as rrla-
ted to him by the inventor himE elf Mr..
Story says:-"l myself have hesld the H.
lus,rlous inventor relate, in an animated
and affecting manner, the history of hia
labols and dIscouragcments. W hcn, said
he, ! was building my first steamboa, at
New York, the project was viewed Ly
the publ lc either with indifference or with
contempt, as visionary scheme. My
friends, deed, were civil but they were
shy They listened with patience to my
explanations, but wit a settled cast of III
creduli,y on their cuuntenances. felt
the full force Of the lamen,a,iou of the
poet,
Truths would you toach 10 save a sinking land,
All fear, lone uld you, and few understand.
! As had occasion 10 pass daily to and
from the buildng-yard. shie my boat
was in progress, have often loilered un>
known among The idle groups of s;ran-
gers, gathering in little circles, and heard
various enquiries "a to The object of this
new vehicle. The language was uniform
! ly that of scorn, or sncer, or ridicule -
The loud laugh often rose at my expense;
the dry jest; the wise calculation of loss
es and expenditures; the dull, bu, endless
repetition Of the Fulton Folly Never
did single encouraging remark, bright
hope, Or warm wish, cross my path
Silence itself was but poileness, yelling
its doubts, or hiding lis reproaches. At
length the day arrived when III c expert
ment was to be put into operation. 10
me it was a most trying and interesting
occasion. invited many friends to go
on board TO witness the first successful
trip. Many of them did the favor TIC at
tend, as matter of personal respect; but
it was manifest that lhoy did it with reluc-
lance, fearing to be the partners of my
modification, and not of my triumph
was well aware, that in my case there
were many reasons to doubt of my own
success The machinery was new and
ill-made; many parts of it were construc-
| lCh ny IltCiIdlllCS 10 SUrll
work; and unexpected difficulties might
reasonably be presumed to present them.
selves from other causes. The moment
arrived in which the word was TO be Civ
EN- for the vessel to move. My friends
were in groups on the decks. There was
anxiety mixed with fear among them
They were silent, and sad, and weary
| read in their looks nothing but disaster,
and almost repened of my efforts. The
signal was given, and the boa, moved on
a short distance. and then stopped, and
became immoveable. To the silence of
tie preceding moment now succeeded
murmurs of discomfort, and agitations,
and whispers, and shrugs. | could hear
distinctly repeated, Il told you it would
be SOFT is foolish scheme,--i wish
we were well out of it, IeIevated my
self upon platform, and addressed the
assembly. stated that ] knew not what
was the matter; but if they would be quiet
and indulge me for half an hour, would
either go on, or abandon the voyage for
that time. This short respite was con-
coded without objection. went below,
examined The machinery, and discovered
that the cause was slight mal-adust-
ment of some of the work. In a short
period it was inviated The boat was
put again in motion. She continued to
move on. All were still incredulovs-
None seemed willing to trust the evil
dence of their own senses We left the
fair city Of New Y DIRK; we passed through
the romantic and varying scenery Of
the islands; we described the clustering
houses of Albany; we reached its shores,
and then, even then, when all seemed
achieAed, Twas the vic i'm of disappoint-
ment; Imagination superseded the inau-
ence of fact 1t was then doubted if it
could be done again; or if done, it was
doubted if it could be made Of any great
value. Such was the history of the first
experiment, as it fell, not IN the very lan>
guags which have used, but in It's sub
stance, from the lips Of the inventor"