Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-07-06
lgrRANsIRNT BILLs-cAsH.
The First Steamboat.

From an exchange, We take the following
respecting an invention which has aceom>
plished much for the commerce of the world
and contributed largely to the Tightening Of
labor and tho sum of human enjoyment:
s'At Shepherdstuwn, in Jefferson county;
w. Va, the frst steamboa. was built. Gen.
Washington aud Governor johnson, of MaEyS
land, were the Patrons of the enterprise
After the war they procured together the irs
corporation of the Potomac Company by theft
respective States. Aud in 1885 Rumsey- do.
monstrat0d 10 them on tho POtOmacg tho dis
covery that boat could be propelled by steam
up stream against tho current The boilss
and machinery for Rumsey's steamboat weta
made at the Catoctin Iron Furnace, in Fred.
erick county owned by Mr.. johnson and
some of his brothers. The gentlemen of tha
Potomac country then used to go to the Berke-
ley Springs, to drink the waters, and this
experiment of Rumsey's, of steam navigationi
was certified to have been success by Wash
ington, johnson aud other eminent men then
present. Tho FIRST steamboat was propelled
on the Potomac the FIRST boiler was made Id
Frederick county twenty years before Fulton
perfected the idea and applied it on the Huds
son."
We believe that this statement Is literally
true. Years ago, We heard similar statements
from old citizens of jefferson, our native
county, and saw portion of the boiler of
Rumsey's engine, then in possession Of Hon:
A. Il. Boteler. InSparks edition Of Wash.
iugtOn's works, may be seen u letter 70 Rum.
sey on tho subject, while, under date Of
March 10th, 1855, Gen. Washington, wFit-
ing to Hugh Williamson, NJ. O., and abiding
to Rumsey's steamboat. says:
'.If model of thing, in miniature; Is d
just representation Of greater objectin pfacs
tice, there is no doubt of the utility of the iRs
vention. A view of his model, with tho ez-
PLANTATION, removed the principal doubt ever
had of the practicability of propelling against
a stream, by the aid of mechanical power;
but as he wanted to avail himself of my in
PRODUCTION of IL to tho public attention; I
chose, previously, to see tho actual performs
ance of the model in descending streRmI
before passed my certificate, and having
done so, all my doubts are satisfied"
This was many years before Fulton, tho re-
puted discovcrer of the principle of applying
steam for tho propulsion Of boats, mado his
trial trip on tho Hudson.
The subsequent history Of Rumsey Is sad
one.s Throughly satisfied with the merit OF
his invention, he went to England, aud after
q long struggle with poverty and disappoines
ment, succeeded finally in getting tho car OF
those who were able to furnish the means res
quislte to enablo him TO mako il successful;
aud through their pcrsuatioD. he was induced
to give public exposition at Liverpool; Of
the principles upon which ho relied for sue.
cess. The hour came. and ono of tho largest
halls in Liverpool was filed with tho learned
and fashionable of that i-rcnt seaport, to helf
man from the New World discuss his novel
theory. And now success seemed ccrtain.--
Rumsey arose, with visible emotion. His 6gi.
tatiOn was observed, and bystandcr handed
him glass of water. He returned thanks
in a few incoherent sentences, and then sank
in mis- chair. never to speak again. Two days
afterwards, this pioneer in n service that has
anuihilated time and distance, and rcvolua
tionized tho world, was dead.
TLyncLLur1 TIyGimioH.