The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-13
"wHo INVENTED THE STEAMBOAT

To the Editor OF the Eagle, Wichita, Kan.
VIII you kindly allow me space in the
columns of the EAGLE to in reduce
James Rumsey, the inventor of the
steamboat: The first steamboat was con-
structed and navigated at Shepherds
town, Va, NOW West Virginia. and the
statutes of that state do not accord the
honor of that success to Fulton. In 1871
a mechanic named James Rumsey was
employed by the Potomac company, Of
which George Washington was a men,
Der, to improve the navigation of the
Potomac river. In 1888 he directed his
attention to steamboats,, and in the year
1875, in the October session of the Vir-
ginia assembly, he obtained the passage
of an act guaranteeing to him the exclu-
/ sive use of his invention for navigating
/ the waters of the state, for ten years
! from date, they reserving the privilege
to buy his right at any time for go 900.
In the following year he succeeded in
| prOpelling his boat, by steam alone, at
Shepherdstown, against the current of
| the Potomac, at the rate of four or five
miles an hour. There are some note
worthy incidents connected with that
! events. 1t is said that George Washing
ton was a pass niger on this first steam
voyage, and that among the curious who
had gathered together 70 witness this
trial, was General Gates. of Revolutions
airy fame. The general is said to be
near-sighted, and 50 great was his sur
prise when the boat actually began to
move away, that he threw up his hands.
eXclaiming: My God! There she goes"
Rumsey obtained the verdict which the
world so generously bestows upon the
pioneers in science; he was famlliarly
known as Cray Rumsev." and his boat
as the flying boat" Some pieces of
Rumsey's boat re on exhibit in the
Smithsonian at Washington, ID. c., and
some are in the possession of Hon. Alex
ander Boteler. ex-member of congress,
of Shepherdstown, TO whose research and
lectures upon this subject | am largely
indebted for the information here given.
| append a description of Rumsev's boat.
as 1t is given in 'Stuart's Anecdotes of
the Steam Engine" an English publica-
ton. Rumsey's boat was fifty feet in
length, and was propelled by pump
worked 10y a steam engine, which forced
a quantity of water M through the keel:
the valve was then shut by the return of
the stroke. which, at the same time
forced the water through a channel. or
pipe, few square inches dying above or
parallel 10 the kelsonj out at the stern
under the Tudder, which had n less
depth than usual. 10 permit the exit OF
the water. The impetus of this water
forced through the square channel
against the exterior water. acted
as an impelling power upon the
vessel. The reaction of the affiuent
water, propelled her at the rate above /
mentioned, when loaded with three tons |
IN addition TO the weight of her engine
of about One-third of ton. The boiler /
held no more than five gallon OF water I
and needing only pint at time. The 1
whole machinery did not occupy space /
greater than that required for barrel OF /
hour, and the fuel consumed was not /
more than from four 10 six bushels OF 4
coal IN twelve hours. Several Of Rum 4
SeyS inventions in modified forms, are I
now an general Use; as, for AZ lance, the 1
cylindrical boiler. - superior 10 the old 4
tub or still boilers. ~ presentation Of fire 4
surface and capacity for holding highly 4
rarineI steam. l. described. both single 4
aud combined. IN hi~ specifications. and 4
i identical in principle with tine tub boil 1
er which he used in MS Potomac experi- |