Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-01-22


sey' method was not finally adopted,
there can be but little doubt he first
practically suggested the idea of the
application of steam to navigation,
and it is probable that Fulton got his
inspiration from Rumsey. Rumsey 6
invention was made at time when
there was perhaps not a steam engine
in the whole United States. He made
his own engine with an iron pot and a
number Of gun barrels and propelled
bis boat by pumping in water through
trunk at a bow of the boat and eI-
pelliDg it at the stern. The force OF
the effluent water carried the boat
forward against a strong current at
the rate of from four to six miles an
hour.
That Rumsey propelled boat by
steam % years before Fulton launched
the Clermont on the Hudson is mat
ter of history. Washington certified
to it; the Legislature Of Virginia in
1885 gave him the exclusive right of
steam navigation on the rivers OF that
State and the next year Maryland
passed an act giving him the same eI-
elusive right upon the rivers Of this
State. In 1889 Congress voted gold
medal to James Rumseys only child,
commemorative Of his fathers inven-
ton. In the Patent Office report for
l837.50 we believe there is reprint
of Rumsey's pamphlet containing cer-
tifcates of those who witnessed the
trial trip of his boat at Shepherdstown
in December 1885.
Rumsey's first experiments were
made in the Potomac, near Berkeley
Springs. Washington witnessed one
of these, and gave the following cer-
tifc.te, which we copy from the Rich
mond Argus of October 9, 1884, pa
per published by Samuel Peasants.
1t ia az follows:
have seen the model Of Mr.. Rum
sey's boat, constructed to work against
stream, examined the powers upon
which it acts, been eyewitness to an
actual experiment in running water Of
some rapiditY. and give it as my opin-
ion (although l had but little faith
before) that he has discovered the art
Of working boats by mechanism, and
small manual assistance, against rapid
currents; that the discovery is Of vast
importance; may be Of greatest use-
fulnsss in our inland navigation, and
if succeeds. OF which have no doubt,
that the value of 1t is greatly enhanced
by the simplicity Of the works; which,
when seen and explained to, may be
executed by the most common me-
chanic.
Given under my hand, at the town
Of Bath, County Of Berkeley, in the
State Of Virginia, this 7th day Of Sep
tember, 1884.
James Rumsey was born on Bohe-
mia Manor, i'll Cecil county, iu l743.
He learned the trade OF millwrigbt
and made a number Of useful inyen-
ton. in mill machinery. At the out
break of the Revolutionary War be
enlisted in the American Army. and
probably attracted the attention Of
Washington, for sfterward be was sp-
pointed superintendent of the Potomac
Navigation Company, which was one
of Washington's enterprises. Imms-
diately after the war Rumsey was in
partnership with Nicholas orrick in
keeping a store at Bath, now Berkeley
Springs. and spent his time expert
menting with his steamboat. In q Pc
tition to the Maryland Legislature,
which was read by that body Novem-
Der IL, 1874, Rumsey said that be had
then been engaged for several years
in perfecting plan to move boats by
steam. It was on December Z and II,
1875, that the trial trips were made
in the Potomac at Shepherdstown.
Among those who witnessed it were
Gen. Horatio Gates, General Stephen,
General Darke, Mr.. Bedinger, DR..
Alexander, Of Baltimore, aud others.
A part of the queer machinery in the
] boat then tried is now in the National