Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-30

| be in the very air Itself whether the
dispute between the adherents OF
Cook and Peary over the discovery OF
| the North Pole has generated a gene
raj inclination toward controversy,
certain II is that in connection with
the Hudson Fulton celebration the
claim Of Hudson to the original dis
covery OF the Hudson river by n white
man and OF Fulton to the construction
of the first successful steam boat. are
being vigorously contested.
Vermont long ago made claim to
| priority In successful steamboat oper-
alton through the work of Samuel
Morey. who is said to have built n
boat and with a sin gle companion to
have made lis first trip up the Con
necticut river between oxford. " H.,
and Fairloe at least fourteen years
before. Fulton's trial trip In the Clcr-
mont mp the Hudson, in 1907.
IT IS claimed that Captain Morcv
went TO New York aud had frequent
interviews with Fulton and Living
stone before the advent of the Cler-
mont and II is a we'll established fact
that Fulton visited Captain Morey in
Fairlee for the purpose Of witnes~'- =
| the lattor's successful experiment be-
fore he had launched any kind OF q
successful steamboat on the Hudson.
twenty feet in length. painted white
with red streal5s ana blncll sunwalc.
It was called the Aunt Sally" "
had paddle wheels on the sides. which
were turned by means of n crank be-
fore steam was applied. end after the
adoption Of this means Of propulsion
the wheel was at tho storm
1t is barely possible that the adjec-
tive 'successful' may lie saving
word for Fulton, while Rumsev and
Fitch and SyminGton rs we'll as Morey
had long been conducting expert
ments in the matter of steam naviga-
ton and had evolved steam craft.
Fulton advertised for passengers. and
his boat was soon crowded. "Thc
Clermont' says an English writer.
was tho steamboat that commenced
and continued to run for practical
purposes, ana for the remuneration OF
her owners" Hero was the boat that
was wanted-one that was financial,
profitable.
The meter is not to be allowed to
drop at this point. however. by any
means. movement has been started
in Washington to honor the memory
OF James Rumsey. IA soldier of the
Eevo!utionary war, and a mllwright,
who as well as Fulton. was an inven-
tor of the steamboat. /, is proposed
10 have con gress provide FOR a statue
of Rumsoy in the Hall OF Fame at the
Capitol. The matter has been taken
UP by citizens OF West Virginia. ana
senator Scott has been enlisted In the
movement. 1t is likely the question
of whether Rumsoy Of Fulton has the
prior claim as an inventor will be-
come an Interesting controversy in
Congress and out OF it In which event
vermont should press Morcy's claim
to recognition
RumSey was native Of Maryland.
but In NO went to Rorkley county
virginia. now West Virginia. bought
farm and pond, and went 10 work
in experiments in steam and hvarou-
Hes lie Is said to have built steam
boat which was publicly exhibited and
run successfully at Shephordstown
Va on the Potomac river. Dec. 3 and
H. 1881 In a petition prepared by
West Virginia supporters OF Rums.v
it is said
The great success and practically
useful character of Rumsey's steam
boat was established by sworn tos,i-
mony of many notable Witnesses, such
men as Gen. Horatio Gates, CONQUER
or of Burgoyne. and many Others. MS
well as by the multitude of astonish-
ed and delighted spectators"
II Is pointed out that this wa,
twenty years before the Clermon,
made It's initial trip TO Albany. Rum.
sey was friend Of Washington. an.
was appointed In 1885 general manap-
er of the Potomac Navigation I'M
provement company. OF which Wash.
inSton was president. Rumsoy's sun
porters say fun proof of what he did
Is found in the archives OF Virginia
ana In the national archives. lie *
sald also TO have built steamship
which worked successfully in Eng
land In 1898.
In support of Rumsey against Full
ton' John Moray has written a letter
from Berkeley Springs. In which it is
alleged that It was due to the repre-
sensations Of Robert II. Livingston
chancellor of New York. business
partner of Robert Fulton, that tn.
Idea was ndustriouslv disseminated
'h"' fulton was the real inventor of
the steamboat