Evening star., 1946-06-02
Steamboats on the Potomac
BY John Clagett Proctor


BY John Clagett Proctor
HE statement often has been
made that Robert Fulton tried
out his steamboat, or . model Of
It. on Rock Creek in the Kalo-
rama section Of washington, but 'evi-
dence against this assertion would lead
one to the opposite conclusion.
We do have the statement Of Jacob
Colclazer, member Of the Association OF
the Oldest Inhabitants, made at one of
its meetings in 1871, that Fulton did
and that he, Colclazer, then = black
smith, helped make parts for the boat.
Fulton went abroad in 1887 and did
not return until late in 1906. In 1905
Joel Barlow. q friend Of Fulton, was
rooming at Mrs. Doyne's, on the south
side OF Pennsylvania avenue between
Sixth and Seventh streets (cost $40 q
week for himself, his wife and two
servants). He did not buy Kalorama
from William Augustine Warrington
until early in 1907. A. the story goes,
Fulton stopped ut Kalorama after Bar
low purchased it. Hence, any expert
menting by the inventor on Rock Greek
ut this time must have taken place
between the time Mr.. Barlow occupied
It and the time Of the Clermont's
memorable voyage from New York to
Albany in August, 1907.
Indeed, Fulton's first visit to Wash
ington was made just prior to January
Z. 1907, for his arrival in this city is
mentioned on that date in the National
Intelligencer.
OF course, 1t could be possible that
Mr.. Colclazer, who made the statement
referred to. might have been mistaken
In giving the date 1905, rs he also might
have Fulton's submarine torpedo dem
onstrations and other activities mixed
with his steamboat experiments.
Early Fulton Steamboat
Piled Potomac in 1915
We do know that 1t was one Of his
early steamboats, that was the frst to
ply the Potomac at the Federal Capital
in 1915, unless We include the Columbian,
q clumsy, hat-bottomed steamboat, said
to have been used for carrying grain
and wood on the Potomac n early rs
1918. The Fulton boat was appropriately
named Washington. But it took some
time to build the boat, and the trst item
the writer picked up In the press re-
garding the preliminary steps was dated
December IA, 1912, and stated:
STEAMBOAT
"A meeting Of the subscribers to the
stock for establishing = steamboat, to
run between the City Of Washington
and Potomac Greek neW Fredericks-
burg. will be held at Triplet's Tavern
In Alexandria, at II O'Clock On Satur-
day the I'd day Of January, 1913, at
which the subscribers are requested to
attend either in person or by proxy.
THE subscription proposed to be
made for the establishment OF a steam
boat, to run between Georgetown. the
City Of Washington and Alexandria, un-
der the patent Of Messrs. Livingston
and Fulton is suspended for the pres
ent.
"B. HENRY LATROBE,
Agent for Messrs. Livingston and
Fulton"
The next item speaks Of the launch
ing Of the boat, and was copied from
O. New York paper. AZ follows:
STEAMBOAT
New York. June IL.
Yesterday was launched from the
shipyard OF Mr.. Charles Browne, the
steamboat Washington, and this morn
Ing the steamboat Richmond, built un-
der the direction of Mr.. Fulton, for COM
panies in Virginia; the first to run on
the Potomac from Washington to Marl-
borough, distance of about 40 miles;
the second to navigate James River,
from Norfolk to Richmond. They are
In strength of timbers and plank equal
to ships of 200 tons. The cabins which
are finished are superior to anything
which have yet been done for this ele-
CANT mode of conveyance"
Two years later we hnd the boat ar
irving at Norfolk, Va, on its way to
Washington. And this account is dated
May "a, 1915, and says:
THE POTOMAC STEAMBOAT,
Norfolk, May "a, 1915.
Novelty. We were last evening, for
The first time, gratified with the sight
steamboat, entering our harbor!
This distinguished stranger is called the
Washington, commanded by Capt.
ONeale, and owned by q COMPANY Of
Gentlemen of Washington. We were in
hopes that she was intended to DIV
between this place and Richmond. but
understand she is destined for the Po-
'omac. In her leaving New York many
we're doubtful that she would be able
o perform the voyage, no vessel of that
description having ever tried the sea
'efore: but she has made the trip in