The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-10-24
From Cist's Advertiser.
Early Steamboats, in the West

Nix. JOHN RcBsoN, whose name and
services stand forever connected with
the early steamboat history OF the UNI.
ted States, is now a resident OF Clncln-
natl. :,
write out the notes he has furnish
ed me, of his connection with early
steamboat building, commencing with
the first movements by Fulton on the
subject. :,
Mr.. Robson states that he worked
for Robert Fulton, as his master car
penter, as early as the year OF the em-
bprgo-l8O7. This was directly after
Fulton had accomplished his first trip
on the Clermont from New York to
: Albany.
Mr.. RS first operations were the
construction ofthe "Rarltan," and "Car
of Neptune" belonging to John Il.
Livingston g. Co. He went as car.
, penter and second engineer on board
1 the latter boat. on her first trip up the
, Hudson. having taken in at Redhoek'
. Chancellor Livingston and the widow
r ofGeneral Montgomery, as passengers
e The Car Of Neptune was propelled
4 both by steam and sails. When the
s wind was uniavorable and the tide run
II ming down, its progress did not excee'
II three miles per hour. In the spring
10 1910. Nicholas J. RooSeceL, was EN-
ic ploved as agentfor Fulton. Liuingsto"
,e and others, who were associated tor IN
n purpose. and started for Pit,sbu'g wit
r.. the design OF introducing th's new In
ID provement in navigation on the water
st of the Ohio and Mississippi. AT tn
re. request of Mr.. Roosevelt, and wit
er Ful,on's permission, Robson was mad
Il. one of the party which accompanIe
or him. Let Mr.. r. tell the residue
the story himself. :,
d: "The whole carpenter work OF u
N. first vessel was put into my hand
Roosevelt cun6ning his abors 10 pr
ne viding the entire materials for the boz
nd commenced at once, and had the bo
,c. half caulked when the great pumpk
n, flood of October, 1910. occurred, II
rs. Monongahela river rising thlrty,tV
Of feet in forty-eight hours. The DO
,lv had been built at the mouth OF Suke
en- Run, jus, above Scotch Hill. The fio
re-. raised her fifteen feet above her stan
id. ings. which were on blocks and shore
les | succeeded, but with great difficult
ar. in securing her from being carried
nk. by this rapid rise. We launched ;
IRA. on the l7lh of March, 18li-St. +
no.. rick's day. The engine and castln
nks were made at Anthony Beelens fo'
,re. dry and machine shop. On the lou
as. of July borrowed iour pounder FRI
;tal Major Craig, in charge Of the Arser
Gus which being placed on the bow OF
of boat, was probably the first steambo
,tu. firing ever heard. Every thing nee
- sary for the building and equpmen'
Two the boat, was supplied at Pi.tsbur
ebt: the oakum for caulking excepted, VIII
a Of was sent out from New York. In;
,lish ed the boat the Orleans, knowing
ted. was intended for the lower trade.
ter. me Measurement was 800, but she carr
ono. actually 4o7 tons. Roosevelt was
and captain, Andrew Jack, pilot, and
ted Baker, engineer. The engine
and low pressure and like those Of all
ex. early boats. placed in the hold.
and was beset with difficulties W
v Of engaged in building this boat, as I
With be readily supposed, from its being
the first steamboat ever built on the " "
nn,. eru waters. But the principal diff
css ~ had 10 meet, was the open ant
$50. cret hostility Of the barge and keel
rant men. who considered the moveme
,bs death stroke to their business. Rer
eal" ed attempts ware maoe " Ou'A