.MECHANICS AND tSKFt'J, ARTS. 69 



the future as a perfect one made by hand has been in the past ; and the only 

 difference to be made in the scale of prices must result from the style of 

 finishing the cases and from the number of jewels; for it is as easy to arrange 

 tlic machinery so as to secure perfect work as to turn out imperfect, and 

 once set, it cannot fail to serve every movement alike. 



REMINISCENCES OF THE FIRST INTRODUCTION OF STEAM NAVIGA- 

 TION. 



The following paper, on the above subject, was recently read before the 

 Xew York Historical Society, by Professor Remvick, of Xew York City. 



1. The earliest attempt to navigate the ocean by steam was made, and 

 made successfully, by Robert L. Stevens. The circumstances of the case 

 were as follows : He, with his father, who had the misfortune to live half a 

 century too soon, not only for fortune but for fame, had constructed a steam- 

 boat propelled by paddle-wheels, which was in motion on the Hudson only 

 a few days later than Fulton's first successful voyage. Being prevented by 

 the exclusive grant from the State of New York to Livingston and Fulton, 

 from plying upon the Hudson, he conceived the bold idea of carrying the 

 vessel, under steam, around Cape May to the Delaware. The vessel reached 

 Philadelphia in safety, and was immediately employed in conveying passen- 

 gers between that city and Trenton. This passage was made, as I infer from 

 a comparison of other dates, in the spring of 1809. The steamship Savan- 

 nah, built in Xew York, made a voyage from Xew York to Liverpool, and 

 from Liverpool up the Baltic to St. Petersburg, in the year 1818. The 

 voyage from Xew York to Liverpool was performed partly by sails and 

 partly by steam, and occupied twenty-six days. The same vessel returned 

 via Arendal in Xorway, and was twenty-five days in making the voyage 

 home from the latter port. This enterprise, however, was, so to speak, no. 

 more than a continuation of one of much earlier date and better promise. 

 A steamer of stronger scantling, larger size, and, I believe, more powerful 

 engine, than the Savannah, had been built by a company headed by Cad- 

 wallader D. Golden. It was generally understood that this enterprise was 

 undertaken in virtue of a contract with Russia To this vessel, when 

 launched, the name of the " Emperor Alexander " was given. When nearly 

 ready for sea, her departure was prevented by the declaration of war in 

 June, 1S12. Under the name of the " Connecticut," this vessel was long 

 known upon the Sound. 



England was, however, before us in forming lines of steamers to navigate 

 stormy seas. The earliest of these was established by the aid of the Gov- 

 ernment for the transportation of the Irish mail between Holyhead and 

 Dublin, in 1819 or 1820. 



2. The first time that I ever heard of an attempt to use steam for propel- 

 ling vessels was from a classmate of mine, Avho resided during the summer 

 months at Belleville in Xew Jersey. He had, in the summer of 1803, seen 

 an experiment on the Passaic River, \vhich he stated to have been directed 

 by John Stevens of Hoboken. According to his account, the propulsion 

 was attempted by forcing water by means of a pump from an aperture in 

 the stern of the vessel. From some vague indications, it would appear that 

 the elder Brunei, afterwards so distinguished in Europe, was in the employ- 

 ment of Mr. Stevens on this occasion. In the month of May, 1804, in com- 

 pany with the same gentleman, I went to walk in the Battery. As we entered 



