The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-06-24
The First Steamboat.

From an exchange, we take the following re-
specting an invention which has accomplished
much for the commerce OF the world and con-
tributed largely to the tightening of labor and
the sum OF human enjoyment :, al. "
7 'sAtSheperdstown, in jefferson co., ". Va,
the first steamboat was built. Gen. Washing
ton and Gov. Johnson, of Nd, were the Pat
rons OF the enterprise. After the war they
procured together the incorporation OF the PO-
tomac Company by their respective States
And in 1885 Rnmsey demonstrated to them Oh
the Potomac, the discovery tl,ata boat could be
propelled by steam up stream against the cur
rent. The boiler and machinery for Rums-y's
steamboat We're made at the Catoctin Iron Fur
mace, In Frederick Co., owned by Mr.. Johnson
and some Of his brothers. The gentlemen Of
the Potomac country then used to 20 to the
Baltimore Springs, to drink the waters, and
this experiment OF Rumsey's, of steam llaviga-
ton, was certified to have been success by
Washington, johnson and other eminent mel
then present. * lie first steamboat was pro-
PEELED ON the Potomac the first boiler WAS
made i'll Frederick County, twenty years before
Fulton perfected the idea and applied it OH the
Hudson 77Fa 7s4 Ha;huse yagsi1s ial
We believe that this statement is literally
true. Years ago, we heard similar statements
from old citizens Of jefferson, our native coun-
ty.and saw !. portion OF the boiler of KlmSey's
engine, then i'll possession of Hon. A. Il. Bote-
Ter. In Sparks edition OF Washington's works,
may be seen letter to Runlsey OH the subject,
while, under date OF March 10th, 1855, Gen.
Washington, writing to Hugh Williamson,
M. c., and alluding TO Ruinsey's steamboat,
says ~ Te{}f}5 ~ ts-,tt4ti sn }-t y.s .5}t,.s.
IF u model Of thing, in miniature. is Il
just representation OF i greater object iii prac-,
tice, there is no doubt OF utility of the inveil-
ton. A view Of his model, with the explana-
ton removed the principal doubt ever had of
the raticab ility of propeling against y stream
by the aid OF mechanical power; but as he wan-
ted to avail himself OF my Introducing it to the
public attention. chose, previously, to see
! the actual performance of the nodded in 3
decansing stream, before Ipas sed my certificate.
having done SO all my doubts are satisfied
This was many years before Fulton, the re-
putcd discovery OF the principle of applying
steam for the propulsion of boats, made his tri-
al trip Oil the Hudson, 7s. ,s, .,...-... 5-..e
one. Thoroughly satisfied with the merit Of
his invention, he went to England and aftera
long struggle with poverty and ,disappoiut-
meut, succeeded finally i'll getting the ear OF
those who We're able to furnish the means req
uisite to enable him to make it successful, and
through their persuasion, he was iut.ueed TO
give Il public exposition at Liverpool, OF the
principles upon which he relied for SUCCESS.
The hour came, and one OF the largest halls in
Liverpool was filled with the learned and FASH
ionable of that great seaport, to hear y man
from the New World discuss his novel theory.
And now success seemed certain. .Rumsey
arose, with visible emotion. His agitation was
observed, and q bystander handed him glass
OF water. He returned thanks in few incohe-
rent sentences, and thenssink il, his chair, new
.r to speak again. Two days afterwards This
pioneer in II service that has annhilated time
and distance, and revolutionized the world, was
dead, -Lynch6ug Vrginian. " TT