Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01
. Beautiful Stretch of Water

Beautiful Stretch of Water.
Shepherdstown had been selected az the
scene for the experiment not only because
IL was the home of Rumsey but because
at that point was a beautiful stretch of
water giving ample room for the evoutions
VI the boat Moreover, many distinguished
persons lived in Shepherdstown and Jeffer-
son county, and their presence had been
specially solicited. Among these were Gen.
Horatio Gates, Gen. William Darke. Maj.
Henry Bedinger, Col. Joseph Swearingen.
Sapt' A3ram Shepherd. the three Morrows,
Moses Hoge, Rev. Robert Stubs, William
brice, David Gray, Thomas White Cor
nelhis Wyncoop and others.
Almost GREATNESS interest was displayed
as tne nre grew hotter under the boiler and
the Missing steam indicated that the mo-
mentous test was indeed to be made The
machinery was placed in the forward mart
OF the boat and In the stern were seats for
occupants. Charles Morrow and DR. Me-
MecHin were aboard to assist Rumsey with
the machinery
Shove her Off" Rumsey said.
me me poat was pushed a short distance
from the shore and at the same instant
Rumsey started the engine The boat
moved toward the middle of the river.
ABOUT iOO feet wide, and then in obedience
- me heim she turned and moved against
the current. steadily and surely breast
ing the stream. A mighty shout arose from
the people on shore and excitement pre-
Nalleu Tor few moments
Inc boat proceeded up the river about
nan mile. going far as Swearingen's
spring, and then returned few hundred
yards below the point from which she had
started She continued to go up and down
the river for about the space Of two hours',
III IulI view or several hundred spectators
Account Of Second Trip.
The Virginia Gazette and Winchester Ad-
vertiser of January II. 1883. gave the fol-
lowing account OF this second trip;
On the 18th day of last month Mr., Rum
sey's steamboat, with more than half her
loading (Which was upwards of three tom
and a number of people on board, made a
progress of four miles in Que hour against
the current of Potomac river, by the force
of steam, without any external applicable
whatsoever impelled by machine that will
not cost more than twenty guineas for a
ten-ton boat and that will not consume
more than four bushels of Goals or the
equivalent of wood, in twelve hours 1t is
thought IL some pipes of the machine had
not been ruptured by the freezing of water
when had been left in them the night be-
lore, and which ruptures Were only Sc
cured by rags tied around them that the
boats way would have been at the rate
OF seven or eight miles an hour. AS this
invention Is easily applied TO boats or ships
or all dimensions, TO smooth shallow and
rapid rivers, or the deepest and toughest
seas, freightage OF all kinds will be re-
duced to one-third of Its present expense"
AS a precaution In the matter of estab-
hshipg his claim to the invention of the
steamboat, Rumsey obtained number of
certificates from prominent persons who
had witnessed the experiments He went
to Philadelphia few weeks afterward
where he succeeded in interesting num-
Der of noted men in his invention. A
'Rumseyan Society" was formed OF which
1t Is said. that Benjamin Franklin was
president. 1t is known that Franklin was
interested in the matter greatly, for he
recommended Rumsey to the Society OF
Arts and Sciences of England when the
latter went 10 London later on. Rumsey
sailed for England In May. 1ISS. Upon his
arrival in England he sought to procure
patents for his invention. and he plaintive-
ly wrote back home that these cost him
much more money than he expected TO
pay for the protection afforded him"
He sought 10 interest various persons in
his invention, but found II hard TO do with
out building a boat and fitting II with his
engine. His poverty prevented him from
doing this. and his difficulties were great.
In spite OF his pecuniary embarrassment
he struggled on. and finally succeeded In
having a boat constructed that was about
100 feet IN length.
He did not live to see IL move upon the
waters by the force of steam. however. for
when 1t was almost ready for the trial trip
Rumsey died. The 21st OF December, 1892.
by request. he attended a meeting of the
Society of Arts at the Adeiphi Hotel TO
show the model of a water wheel. After
some resolutions to he entered in the So
eiety's books. Suddenly he complained OF
a violent pain in his head. A few moments
later he was stricken with a violent fit of
apoplexy, and his death ensued the follow
ing evening.