Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-07-27
The First Steamboat.

I
ing clear historical statement to the
editor of the BrattIeboro Reformer, IN
reply to an article in the New Eng
land Magazine:
SIR:-l beg to acknowledge the re-
ceipt OF your favor calling my atten-
ton to the article in the New England
Magazine for June, naming John
Fitch as the real inventor of the steam
boat.
No one acquainted with the history
of the steamboat will undertake to de-
ny to John Fitch his rightful place in
the history Of steam navigation. In
order to understand more correctly
and precisely what that place i, we
must take look at the state Of the
art as il then existed.
Allen, an English inventor, had
used the hydraulic propeller as far
back as 1880 He had taken in the
water near the bow Of his boat and
discharged it by pumping it out at the
stern. Hull, another Englishman, at
tempted to build stern-wheel boat
in 1873. Belnoulli. IA Frenchman, had
undertaken to Use artificial fins in 1857.
and the same year Genevois, swiss,
attempted to use a duck X foot and pad
die, but all these proved failures. Jas
Runsey, in 1872. re-invented the by
draulic apparatus of Allen. Biumah,
m Englishman, suggested screw pro-
pellor in 1873.
In 1856, we find John Fitch engag-
ed in serious discussion with James
Rmmsey Of Virginia, Benjamin Frank
lin and Oliver Evans, the last three Of
whom had rc-invented Aliens system
Of hydraulic propulsion.
John Fitch pursued an independent
course. Instead Of attempting 10 use
these various contriyances. he intro
duced system of his own. His first
boat was mere model, made la 1856.
and. as the author of the article saws.
Il complete failure, the steam cylinder
being only one inch in diameter. The
system of propulsion was that of the
hand oar, or. more precisely speaking.
the hand paddle His second boat.
made in 1887. was larger and of suit
able size for test; but amid the re-
ioicings of Fitch over the beginning of
the trip. the boiler burst and the boat
drifted back to its mornings. His
third boat, made in 1890, was still
larger. carried twelve oars. six on each
side, arranged in groups of threes. He
now began TO obtain concessions for
steam navigation. Thus we see lac
had taken single step in new di-
rection. and beyond this he was una
BILE to make progress. The effort ter
in complete failure. like its
and must be classed n
IN incomplete or unsuccessful attempt
At a solution of the great problem inst
opening up to the civilized world.
II i at this critical point in the his
tory Of steam navigation that Samuel
Morey, whose father owned the ferry |
IN the Connecticut river between, Or |
lord. \. H., and Fairee. VI. took up |
he entire question, and, without hav-
ny knowledge Of what others had |
lone. his fertile mind seized hold of
he problem at the point where all |
'thcrs had failed and. between 1870
1913, lac built a paddle wheel steamboat
md began the successful navigation OF
he Connecticut river al tairlee. vi. |
Thus we See, upon lines entirely
lew and 80 distinct and novel that
here can bc no confusion as Ia iden-
ity or results.adopting the rotary mo-
ion of the paddle wheel. he carried
H. experiment through 10 complete
lie then went to Connecti-
at where he built another steamboat
nd sailed il To New York and thence
D Bordertown, y. j.. where il was
ontinued in successful operation.
Here he met John Fitch. Livingston.
ulton and others. who were not only
lterested ia the subject but who be- .
lme intimately acquainted with his
camboat and its successful naviga-
on of the waters in and about their
Having thus explained
hat John Fitch really did invent. and
lc date of his invention when taken
ITO account with the efforts OF 9th
=. il gives Ia each separate and dis
net place ia history
And the invention of Samuel Mo-
y. coming on after the failure of all I
her inventions. stands out clearly {
ld distinctly by itself. as the first sue
'ssful paddle-wheel steamboat, and
Iorcy, as the successful inventor and
&c introducer of modern steam navi- {
ition. c
Later ON. Fulton gave TO the world T
Ie commercial success with which his
,me will be forever linked. !.
LEVI X. FULLER.