Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-09-20
ROBERT FULTON.

ROBERT FULTON.
Robert Fulton, a celebrated engineer,
whose name is connected with sleamboa'
navigation, was born in the town of LltlIo
Britain, in the state of Pennsylvania, III
1865. His genius disclosed itself at an ear
~ period. lie was attracted to the shops o'
mechanics and at the age Of seventeen %.
painted landscapes and portraits IN PliIadci
pha. Thus he was enabled in part to pun
chase small farm for his widowed mother
At the aye of 81 he by the advice of his
friends repaired to London, TO place himself
under the guidance Of Mr.. West, the paint
err, and by HIM was kindly received,
and ADMITTED as an inmate of his
r house for several years. Prosecuting his
business as a painter, he spent two years in
DevonslIire, where he became acquainted
with the duke of Bridgewaer and with lord
Stanhope, well known for his attachment to
the mechanic arts In 1893 he engaged in
the project of improving Inland navigation,
and in 1874 obtained patents for double
inclined plane, and for machines for spinning
flax and making ropes. The subject of Ca
: mails now chiefly occupied his attention, and
at this period, in 1896, his work OF canals
was published. In his profession of civil en-
ginecr he was greatly benefited by his skill
in drawing and painting. He wen. to Paris
in 1906. and being received into the family
OF Joel Barlow, he there spent seven years.
studying chemistry, physics and mathemat-
les, and acquiring knowledge of the French
Italian and German languages. In Dec.
1907, he made his first experiment on sub
marine explosion in the Seine, but without
success. His plan for submarine boat
was afterwards perfected. In 1901, while
he was residing with his friend Mr.. Barlow,
he met in Paris chancellor Livingston the
American minister, who explained to him the
Importance IN America of navigating boats
by steam. Mr.. Fulton had already conceiv-
cd the project as early as 1913, as appears
by his letter to lord Stanhope. lie now en-
gagged anew in the affair, and at the common
expense Of himself and Mr.. Livingston built
a boat on the Seine in 1893, and successfully
navigated the river. The principles of the
steam engine he did not invent he claimed
only the application cf that machine to wa
ter wheels for propclling vessels. In 1906
he returned to America and he and Mr..
Livingston hnrlt, in 1907, the first boat, the
Clermont, 100 feet in length which navigated
l.
Nothing could exceed the surprise and ad-
r mration of al! who Witnessed the experiment.
The minds of the most increduoiis wcr:
,Schanged in "A few moments. Before the boat
had made the progress Of a quarter of Il mile,
: the greatest unbeliever must have been con-
= veried.--The man who, while he looked on
the expensive machine, thanked his stars that
he had more wisdom than to waste his money
on such idle schemes, changed the expression
Of his feature as the boat moved from the
wharf and gained her speed, and his compla-
cent expression gradually soitencd into one
OF the wonder.--Fhe jeers of the ignorant,
who had neither sense nor feeling enough to
suppress their conemptuouS ridicule and
rude Jokes, were slenced Tor moment by
vulgar establishment, Which deprived them
OF the power Of utterance, till the triumph of
genius extorted from the incredulous multi
tude which crowded the shores, shouts and
determinations Of congratulalon and ap-
plauSc. In Feb. 1909, he took ont his first
pa,ent.--In 1910, he published his Torpedo
war; In 1911, and 1912, he built two steam
ferry boats for crossing the Hudson, he con-
trivcd also very ingenious floating docks fol.
+ the reception Of these boats. In 1913, he
obtained patent for "A submarine battery.
Conceiving the plan of steamman of war.
the government, in March 1914, appropris-
ted $3.50 900 for constructing it, aud appor1-
ed him the engineer In about four mont
: she was launched with the name of Full.
the first hut before this frgae was finn.
ed, Fulton had paid the debt of nature.
died the 9th of February, 1915, aged ii
years, an early exit for one who had done
much for his country, and indeed for Il
world. His fame was so extensive, thar hr,
+ death was sincerely mourncd, by the whole
of the great American family, for he was con-
sldered as national property; and much,
very much, was still expected of one in the
+ full vigor of mind and body. His disease
was brought on suddenly; being a violent in
famatlon OF the chest, produced from cold,
caught by exposure during az ncemen, sea-
son. while in the discharge of his public du-
ties. Mr.. Fulton had not only attracted the
gaze of The world, but had secured MANY
friends, who loved him for his virtues; and
admired him for his talents. lie was tall and
graceful; and without hautcur or alfeclation;
he was colloquial and afectionate, and a,
times spoke with eIoquence and maiesty.--
, Avarice never had for "A moment the slightest
control over him; and if he ever seemed
anxious for wealth, ii was to lavish il in
schemes of Improvement for the benefit of
mankind. HIS sharp dark eye never flashed
with envy and hatred but beamed with be-
nightly on all around him. His enmties,
amidst all his trials, soon passed away, but
his friendships were imperlshable. The
splendid plates, done under his care and at
his expense, to be found in the quarto edition
Of the Columbian, are proofs of his friend
ship to Barlow and that we possess some
of Vests paintings in this country, is more
owing to his friendship, and respect for his
old master, than TO the lberallty of any other
individual in this country. The United
States should provide for his children, and
erect a monument TO his fame.
i AN EMPTY JAlL.-The Grand Jury in
Winnebago County, III. in recent address