470 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 



PLATE XCIII. 



This plate contains drawings of the Comet, the first steam boat in Europe, con- 

 structed by Mr. Henry Bell, of Glasgow, for the Clyde River. To some of our 

 readers the following circular respecting this boat may be interesting. 



" STEAM PASSAGE BOAT, THE COMET, BETWEEN GLASGOW, GREENOCK, AND 

 HELENSBURGH, FOR PASSENGERS ONLY. 



" THE subscriber having, at much expense, fitted up a handsome vessel to ply upon 

 the river Clyde, between Glasgow and Greenock, to sail by the power of wind, air, 

 and steam, he intends that the vessel shall leave the Broomielaw on Tuesdays, 

 -Thursdays, and Saturdays, about mid-day, or at such hour thereafter as may answer 

 from the state of the tide; and to leave Greenock on Mondays, Wednesdays, and 

 Fridays, in the morning, to suit the tide. 



" The elegance, comfort, safety, and speed of this vessel require only to be proved, 

 to meet the approbation of the public ; and the proprietor is determined to do every- 

 thing in his power to merit public encouragement. 



" The terms are, for the present, fixed at four shillings for the best cabin, and 

 three shillings the second ; but beyond these rates, nothing is to be allowed to ser- 

 vants or any other person employed about the vessel. 



" The subscriber continues his establishment at Helensburgh Baths, the same as for 

 years past, and a vessel will be in readiness to convey passengers in the Comet from 

 Greenock to Helensburgh. 



" Passengers by the Comet will receive information of the hours of sailing, by apply- 

 ing at Mr. Housten's office, Broomielaw; or Mr. Thomas Blackney's, East Quay 

 Head, Greenock. 



" Helensburgh Baths, " HENRY BELL." 



" Aug. 5, 1812." 



Mr. Bell presented this new method of navigation to the British government at 

 three different times, viz., in 1800, 1803, and 1813, when, after all his exertions, it 

 was thought to be of no utility to government. After it was denied him in 1803, he 

 thought it very hard that such a discovery should lie dormant, and on that account 

 he sent a description of the method of applying steam, in propelling vessels against 

 wind and tide, to all the emperors and crowned heads in Europe, and also to 

 America, which last government put it in practice in the year 1806. 



