Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-11-24
ROBERT FULTON.

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born in tho town of Little Britain, in
the county of lancaster, Pennsylvania,
in the year 1765. His father died
when he was only three years Of age.
After receiving an English education,
he was placed with jewellcr in Ian
caster with the intention Of acquiring
the trade. This pursuit, however, did
not prevent him from cultivating and
exercising his talent for painting
which he afterward pursued with great
success. By the advice of his numerous
friends, he made visit TO London, and
placed himself under the direction OF
Mr.. West. He Immediately became
an inmate of that gentlemhn's house,
and very soon. his companion and
friend The friendship thus formed,
subsisted unabated, until the death Of
Fulton. ssn
For some years after leaving the
family Of Mr. W est, hc employed him
self as q painter. He did not, how
ever feel himself entirely satisfied with
his progress in the art, and was, at
length, wholly withdrawn from its
further cultivation, by his ruling taste
for the mechanic arts. apft Hipa 1'
As early as the year 1893, be brought
forward bis project of propclling bcats
by steam, with much confidence and,
in September following, be communi-
Gated his ideas on steam navigation TO
Lord Stnnhopc, who acknowledged it
by letter dated October, l79s.
In 1894, the British Government
granted him patents for doublol
inclined plane, 10 be used in transporta-
ton for machine for spinning flax
and another for making ropes, &c, &C..
In the year 1896, he submitted 10 the
British Board Of Agriculture, plan
for the improvement Of canal naviga-
ton, which was favombly received,
and for which he received patent in
the year 1897. iIe then went TO
France, with a view TO introduce IL
into that country. 7ti hlni
In 1898, pursuing this interesting
subject with great zeal, hc published a
series oflettcis, addressed TO Earl Stan.
hope, In which he clearly exhibits the
advantages to nations arising from
canals and home improvements gener-
ally, simple taxation and free trade.
On his arrival at Paris, friendship
commenced between him and Joel
Barlow, which onded only with their
lives. At the invitation Of Barlow,
Fulton took up his residence at the
hotel OF the former, where hc continued
TO remain during seven years. In this
time he studied the high mathematics,
physics, chemistry, and perspective
iIe also acquired the French, Italian,
and German languages. nNnt9 iI
| Barlow, about this time, was prepar.
ing for the press his elegant edition OF
| tho Columbiad, which he afterwards
dedicated IN terms Of glowing affection
TO Fulton. The splcdid plates which
udorn this work were executed under
tho superintendenco OF Fulton. nmg
In December, 1897, he made his first
experiment on submarine explosion
on the river Seine, In company will
4 Barlow. 3 1HIrN lli far npQluupI
In December. 1906, hc returned tt
this city New York }, and Immediately
recommended his experiments on sub
marine war. He also directed his nj
tcntion to stcnm navigation. laim
several succosdul experiments
/ he published, In 1910, his interesting
work, entitled Torpedo War" whlcl
n contaius = full account md clear OK
!, PLANTATION Of his systcm- 4 il ".
-l'bTho earnest solicitation Of the Hon
!. r.. r. livingston, WHO bad pointed on
n 70 him ths incMculAbIs advantage
n which would nriss out Of perfect sy'
} tom Of steam navigation bad the a.