The New York herald., 1851-10-14
oxIaINAL AAvIcLzs.
~rhs Steamboat Era ON the HudsOn River
Rsminiscepce OF Robert Fulton.


Ths Steamboat Era ON the HudsOn River
RsminisceDee or Robert Fulton.
Forty-four years have trsnspired since the com
msncement of steambo at nsvigati on the Hudson
River; the first successful experiment in the world
having been made here, by Fulton in August, 1907,
The immense consequences which have followed
from that event, cannot easily be realized an it
would re idle to attempt show its vast influence
on the whole civilized worli. We may, however,
ask ourselves the question, what would now be the
population, wealth, and comparative Importance OF
th, city had the old system of travelling by soops
on the North River in summer and by stages in
winter. been continued TO this time few reaec-
tions like this will give faint idea of how much
we are indebted to Fulton and steam navigation.
Some may consider the completion Of the Hudson
River Railroad and the astonishing performance Of
locomotives thereon, foreshadoEing the close Of
the steamboat era, after continuance Of nearly
hall q century, during which period the people Of
two generations have enjoyed its conveniences,
pleasures, and profits Others, however, are un-
willing to believe that steamboats, will ever be dis
pensed with by travellers, either for business or
pleasure, on the noble Hudson, whatever may be
the case on other waters; and expect to the pre-
sent floating palaces and convenient boats continued
on the river for an indefinite period Still, it must
be admitted since the railroad has brought Albany
within four hours Of New York, that the glcry Of
steamboats,, as the most rapid conveys ance, has do
parted and this is doubtless the last year when the
Y. ). mails, and busir ess men requiring the quick
est time of passage, will be transported in steam
boats the Hudson. For six months Of the year
namely, from November to May-the railroad is
to be preferred by most passengers, and to be
without competition from them during the close Of
navigation.
Aswe are clearly, therefore, entering upon new
era with regard to communication with the inte-
rior il appropriate to look back to the CON-
melcen .nt Of the ste lmboat era, forty-four years
ago and to record the first experiment Of Fulton,
our own river of New York, which was also the
scene of his first and subsequent triumphs, as bold
protector, and public beneiactor.
In the spring of 1907, the first steamboat. built
under the direction of Fulton, was laun ,hed from
the ship yard Of Charles Brown, the East river.
The engine, imported from England, was put on
board of her in August, 1907, when she was COM
pleted, and she was moved by her machinery from
her birth place to the Jersey shore. Chancellor
Livingston and Mr.. Fulton had invited many of
their friends to witness he first trial. among whom
were the late Doctors Mitchill and Macneven.
Nothing could exceed the surprise and admiration
of all who witnessed the experiment The minds
Of the most incredulous changed in few
minutes. AS the boat meved from the wharf, and
gained her speed, the complacent smiles of so gra
dually changed ints an expression of wonder. The
jeers of the ignorant silenced for awhile by
vulgar astonishment, which deprived them Of the
power Of utterance, till the triumph of genius ex-
torted from the multitude which crowded the
shores, shouts and acclamations Of congratulation
and applause.
This boat, which was called the Clermont, after
Chancellor Livingstons residence on the Hudson,
and was afterwards named the North River; was
finally ready to sail for Albany on the 18th of Au
gust, 1907. 1t was amour ced in Cheetham's Are
yrcGn Cnt-en, Of that date, that " Mr.. Fulton's
ingenious steamboat, invented with view to the
navigation OF the Mississippi from New Orleans
upwards, sails to day, from the North river, near
the State prison, TO Albany The velocity Of the
steamboat is calculated at four miles an hour it Is
said that it will make progress of Two against the
current Of the Mississippi, and if so, it will GER
tainly be 9 very valuable acquisition TO the com
merce Of the Western States"
This notice of Ful.on's experiment, by his friend
Chsetham, shows, in a striking light, the extreme
modssty which usually attends genius Of high or
der, and the moderate expectations entertained by
that great man Of the consequences and benefits
which we're to How from his enterprise 1t will be
noticed that the boat was built with view to the
navigation oftae Mississippi. Indeed, as a mean
ty which the three months voyage from New
Orleans 10 Pittsburg could be shortened, against
the current Of the Mis- sssipp aud Ohio rivers,
Fulton's experiment was looked upon by himself
and friends with anxiety. IL was not then con-
ceived that steamboats, could be employed as
packet beats between New York and Albany
II Mr.. Fulton had any expectations Of the COM
plete success which resulted from this mode Of
navig alton, he probably doubted the policy Of in
teering with the powerful interests then concerned
in the sloop navigation Of the North river. But be
soon had occasion to change his mind.
In Cheetham's Aynaic1n Cdisen we End Mr.. Full
tons letter to the editor Of that paper, giving an
account Of his 6rst steamboa. voyage to and from
Albany. 1t is as follows:-
Hrv roEE August 20 1907.
arrived thi. afternoon At four clock in the steam
tost from Albany A. the Of my experiment
aycs me great hopes such boats may be rendered
spd give some .sfaetion % The friend, Of use
full nprovements you will have the goodness 70 publish
the ftloving statement Of faets - ..-,v.,
ut Ciermont Of Chancellor Livingston at one
o'clock Tueeday-time twenty fou. hours distance
ops hundred and ten mles on Wednesday departed
from The at nine In the morning and arrived
at Albany Eve in the afternoon-distance forty nile
time e,sbt hours The sun IL one hundred and hfty
ni.s in thirty hours-equsl to near hVe miles an
hour -. , 4.
Albany ana arrived the Chancellor At SIX In the eve
nnx started from thence at seven, and arrived In
New York At four in tn. sftsrnoon-tme thirty hours
auaee run through one hundred and ny miles-equa
sve miles an hour Throughout my whole way, both
gess and returning the Wind -n ahead no sdvsntase
ou,d bs derived from my the whole has therefore,
cen performed By the power of the steam engine
ROBERT FULTON.
Chsetham, in Publishing the above letter, says
We congratulate Mr. Fulton and the country. on bis
oe>~s in the steamboat which cannot fail q being
.dvs.tsseous We understand that not the smallest
inconvenience Is felt In the boat either from heat or
tmoke