The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-11-03
fNew York Times, Oct. 25th.)

md impressive sight. 1t was the
launching of the war frigate Fulton
the First. the first steam war vessel
ever built, and which ultimately was
designed TO revolutionize naval archi-
lecture and naval warfare. The event
marked the birth not only of the
steam navy Of the United States. b,t
The use of steam in marine warfare
throughout the world.
As indicated by the name, this novel
boat vas designed by Robert Fulton.
Who. seven years earlier. had con-
WINGED the world Of the p~racticabiIity
Of propelling water craft by steam
when his Clermont. on August H..
lS17. steamed up the Hudson from
New York to Albany. Since that time
he had made many improvements.
ana in 1914 four Of his passenger
stedmerS-the Paragon, Car Of Mem
tune. Richmond, and Fulton-were
making regular trips between New
York and Albany.
The War Of 1872 led Fulton to re-
new his studies in the direction of
steam war vessels. The subject en-
crossed mis- attention for many years
and long before he had experimental
quite successfully with submarine
boats for torpedo warfare. The War
Of 1879 furnished the opportunity Of
putting his ideas of naval architect
are into practice. I'm 1914. when. ter
ritied by the avageS Of the British
tcet along the Atlantic Coast, culmi-
mating i'm the capture Of Washington
and the burning of the Capitol, the
citizens OF New York and other cities
organized Coast Defense Associations
10 provide means for protection. Rob-
ert Fulton's plan was formally adopt
81. IL had been presented to Pres
ident Madison and his naval advisers
in 1913.
In March. 1914. Congress authorized
the building OF me or more floating
batteries His specifications. as laid
before the Government. called for an
expenditure Of about $4,000 for the
nrSt steam war vessel. and this was
promptly appropriated. Fulton also
guaranteed for his initial gunboat o.
speed OF -FOUR TO foul and a half miles
an hour. These figures, ridiculous at
the present day. illustrate the SIM
pie beginnings of steam for marine
vessels and are another proof of the
wonderful advances made in the last
century In naval architecture.
Fulton chose for his new boat the
name Of Demolosos. meaning "Voice
oil the People But the voice Of the
people refused to have it. and by
common consent the war frigate be-
came known as the Fulton, and was
80 christened. Even so erudite q
scholar as DR.. Samuel Latham
Mitchell, q member Of the Coast De-
tense committee. under whose aus
plces the boat was constructed, could
NOT sanction such a name as Demo-
iosos Tor a fighting ship Of the United
n,'teS Navy, and more than any one
tlSe ne cast ridicule upon that name
10y gravely suggesting that it be
changed 10 the better sounding name
or floSObombos.
-, The Launching.
me Keel OF the boa was laid on
sune ~, 1914. and on October 20,
MA the launching took place. from
the celebrated ship yards of Adam
ana Noah Brown at the head OF
water street. Corlears Hook. If one
ms III the newspapers OF the day
r"r any indication hat the launching
"arheo "a revolutionary step in the
disappointed. II received but
miel notices until. equipped with her
eS ana armament. the Fulton,
~ 1919, made her trial trips out to
80 "hth a few more brief notices
appeared.
Ohe or the few contenporary ac-
do'riS which attempts to give any
,ke"iS OF thlS interesting event states
,"a. tue launching took place at a
HSdFter of 3 o'clock on the morning
october 20. The account con-
he ground adjacent was crowded,
the wharves and housetops, and
y.n .Ner covered with gunboats and
"",tr craft of every description. She
LIN ieave Of her bed a quarter Of an
""uI earlier than was intended owing
rb.,ne Earring produced by the dis
80 "ie - OF a 32-pounder on deck to
warning to the spectators. and
,onm.aS and beautifully glided into her
Sy Ir"eu element. She is commanded
soHlinodore Porter. and from APP
~rNIl@nces bids fair to become a for
W.auole weapon in harbor warfare.
|'sor of New Works Description.
eIhaps the most interesting ac-
il ~ Is that given by Cadwallader
I"loen' who was Mayor of New
rf d lie" years later. and was one
ri. u,tohs most intimate friends.
I'M ihie OF Robert Fulton has
haS'sS peen an authority, as Golden
yc,t persohal knowledge of the in
> Ifl.tlS "a nd II L-.