Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-06
From the Cincinnati Chronicle.
The Memory OF John Fitch,
THE INVENTOR OF THE PRESENT STEAM BOA


western literature, to the Journal in which is pub
lished, aud to its author-Mr. Charles Whittlesey
The article is entitled "JustIce to the Memory of John
Fitch is well written. embodes large number of
important facts and discusses critically and ably the
reiatye merits of Rumsey, Fitch, and Fulton, who
have been severaly claimed as the inventor of the
In advance of such discussion, it should be said
at once that while much Is claimed for Fitch as an
inventor. much also may be admitted to the great
merits Of Mr. Fulton. nyentol is not every thing.
That is a sort of if of nature But that persever-
ance which pressed great work forward that in
duslry which endureS all lab0rs-that self-cOnfdent
courage which trusts its own clear judgment,-that
reliance the justice of Providence which believes
from seeming evil good will be educcd,-and above
ALL that forude of mind which bears the cold sneers
of increduous world, and bears them in suffering
endurance,-lll this is what constitutes tie moral
merit of great spirit. TO good degree this merit
must be awarded TO Fulton in Introducing the steam
boat In degree this was wanting in Fitch.
Notwithstanding all this, the inventive powers ard
the foreseeing mind In word the genius Of Fitch
requires justice which it has not received. We
therefore feel obi ged Mr. Wnitlesey for what he
has done. which even a page In history only is
valuabl, TO the student of truth.
WIO was John Fitch I Mr. Whittlesey says:
s'It will be necessary to omit the personal history
of Mr.. Fitch. HIS Life, as mere popular narrative,
m gh be invested with intense interest 1t would
prove the truth of his words concerning him self
as one of the most singular well as one of the
most unfortunate Of men," 1t would exhibit misfor-
time and suffering, great undertakings followed by
dslpp ointment and dependency great force of char
acter, courage and PRIDE 1t would show personal
antpahies to be regretted and noble sentiments be
admired Tenderness as parent would appear In
strange contrast with unorgiv NC temper hus-
bend-honorabe impulses and raging passions con-
tending in the bosom. His in elect bore the
stamp of originality and independence his fores ght
had the air Of prophecy. He was born at Windsor,
Connecticut, January u, 1743, 20. and remlined
that unity until about twenty-five years Of age
receiving very scanty common school education By
the severity of his father and elder brother his life at
home was ren4arnd wrefched and no bound an
apprentice to watch-maker.- without, however,
having acquired knowledge of the trade. An UNI
fortunate marriage crowned the misery of his condi
tion,-and In 1863 he became adventurer of for
tune. After many waRderings he became a ,ident
MATCHMAKER at Trenton, New Jersey, where he ex-
ercised his trade at the commencement of the RevO-
luton. The demand for arms induced him TO under
take the bus ness of gunsmith for the American
forces which exposed his property to destruction when
the British entered that village In December l776
He joined the troops of New jersey and endured the
rigcrs Of winter camp at Valley Forge
This is the character of a man in his very nature
destined to mIstortunes, and 1t He born,
says the writer, at Windsor, Connecticut. How ma
ny associations of the brilliant the brave and beau
tul in American character, cluster around that little
State,-the Attica of America Small and rugged,
yet the land of genius and of song
Mr.. Whittlesey has given complete account of the
progress of the ''idea of steam invention He thus
states the beginnings in the United States
s'In America, Oliver Evans states that he reflected
upon steam vessels early as l772-3. but made no
public declaration of his views Mr.. Henry of Lam
caster and Andrew Ellicott, appears from CONVEX
sations with Mr.. Fitch had, during the progress Of
the American Revolution secretly conceived some
plans for e.fecting the same object.
In France, the Able Raynal had projects of the
same kind in ISL.
This rapid view of inventors and lmprovers in steam
power brings to the time when experiments began
to be made upon the subject in America The
first with which we are acquainted in this country
took place in secret presence of few friends
SEeperd town Va, during the fall of 1854. 1t was
made by James Rumsey, native of Maryland and
resident of Va, who had conceived of the project in
1888. Rumseys boat had capacity of six tons, ant
was set in motion privately during the darkness Of
the night tie first public experiment having beer
made IN the year 1855 or 1871.
Mr.. Fitch conceived of plan to move water Graf
In April, l7S5."
IT may be asked, why, then, was not Rumsey the
real inventor! The reason is the machines and plan
of Rumsey and Fitch totally different; and tina
FItchs idea wa sthe successful one and Rumseys wa
not But there is justice also due to Mr.. Rumsey
That justice to say, and put In history, that Rum
sey propelled the first boat the water and far
his machinery went he was an original inventor
Controversy arose on this point, but 1t all come 4
this. that Fitch and Rumsey were both pour mechan
les and men of genius who in the workshops of thei
minds conceived the idea of the steamboat, and IN
rented machinery Of their olon, rithout any prio
knowledge of rhat had been done! This is a mos
extraordinary fact. The following is a curious par
of history
SIN addition TO these circumstanc there is tn
following paper, which may be found in the American
State papers, miscellaneous vol. l, p. II. 1t is
copy Of his petition to Congress- dated July ID 1890
and says That the great length of time and vast re
sources Of money expended in bringing the scheme t
perfection have been wholly occasoned by his tota
ignorance Of the Steam Engine, perfect knowledg
Of which has not been acquired without an infinit
number OF frultess experiments. for not a perso
could be found who was acquainted with the neU En-
gine Of Bolton and Watt Whether your petitioner
Engine Is similar to those in England or not he is
this moment totally ignorant, but is happy to nforr
Congress, that he Is now able TO make complete Stea
Engine, which, in as effects, is equal to the best
Europe"
Such was the original power of Fitch in this gres
work The invention Of Rumsey was no doubt a
original invention. and although unsuccessful as
regarded future objections, we nevertheless think hi
memory should be honored. and especially should
be honored on the banks of the Potomac and in h
own Maryland.
The first exper ment of Fitch took place I'll
Delaware, and is thus described
This was in October, 1888, and the boat was cal
ed the sPersererance' On the 18th of the san
month, she assembled the Delaware to Burlington, wit
thirty passengers distance Of t,cenfg miles, in tr
hours and fsrenfy minutes. She had yet cabin
but ran passenger boat for some time on the De
aware. If Or. Thornton means by 'a day. twely