New-York tribune., 1909-09-23
RIVAL TO FULTON.
James Rumsey Said to Haze Ran a
Steamboat on the Potomac an 1857.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau ]


Washington Sept 22-RObert F'uton's honors as
the first American to apply successfully the prin-
ciple OF steam to navigation are vigorously dis
puted by John Moray of Berkeley Springs, w Va.
who in a letter Andrew Carnegie not only de-
clares the claims of historians giving this dstinc
tiOn to Fulton 'perversions of historic truth,
but asserts that James Rumsey. native of Mary
land and a gifted mechanical engineer of post
steamboat
Mr.. Moray asserts that Robert Livingston. OF
New York, Fulton's friend and benefactOr in
being the one largely responsible for the hOnOTs
that have come to Fultons and giving him
credit being the originator of steamboat naviga
tion, has ''falsifed history"
In his An Historical Account of the Application
OF Steam for the PrOpelling of Boats. LivingstOns
statements says Mr.. Moray, were Immediately
and universally accepted of unquestionable
thority. His dictum vested with infalli-
bity often denied TO his rival And yet the state
ments Of that article atrociously false; they
were. under the circumstances. wicked perform
ances for this great statesman, who with thorough
knowledge the truth. deliberately chose to sub
sttute falsehood''
Mr.. Moray's letter is accompanied by petition
to Congress asking that James Rumsey be Off
cally recognized and that his name and memory be
perpetuated by appropriate bust TO stand in
Statuary Hall in the Capitol. The petition also
tells this story of Rumsey's struggle and triumph
with steamboat navigation;
THE deed books of Berkeley County. Va, for the
Il
native of Maryland. who a miwright and
Revolutionary soldier, purchased farm. and soon
after pond for experimental purposes in the line
Of his calling. On that pond, the result of many
experiments in steam and hydrostatics by James
Rumsey. the wonderful discovery of the principle
of steam navigation took place-a propulsive power
till then unknown to the world.
Thoroughly satisfied by continuous experiments
that the newly discovered principle would become
OF immense value in the world. Rumsey contracted
with his brother-in-law. Joseph Barnes. for the
building of boat for steam purposes at st. Johns
Run. on the Potomac River.
The resulting steamboat publicly exhibited
at Shepherdstown. Va, the Potomac. De-
cember and II. 1851 The great success and prac-
tically useful character of Rumsey's steamboat
were established by testimony Of many nota-
ble Witnesses including General Horatio Gates.
queror OF Burgoyne and by multitude of aston
| tshed and delighted spectators.
This practically successful trial took place twen-
ty years before the Hudson River trial 1907 and
the speed of Rumsey's boat fully equal that
of the Clermont in its initial trip to Abany-four
miles an hour-without SAILS paddles and the com
plexities of the Hudson River boat AS these facts
| about Rumsey's 1887 boat have been thoroughly
| proved by sworn testimony of many reliable eye
| witnesses there should question "a
! who was the inventor of the steamboat. James
Rursey has undeniably proved his right TO that
honor and the glory that belongs thereto"