THE "CLERMONT.'' 93 



been constructed at the instance of Fulton and Livingston, had been launched from the 

 yard of Charles Brown, on the East (Hudson) River. She was decked for a short distance 

 only, at stem and stern, her engines being open to view, while a house on deck, and over 

 the boiler, accommodated passengers and crew. The boiler was set in masonry. Her engine 

 was of almost identical size to that of the Charlotte Dundas. It is right to add that 

 Fulton claimed no patent or privilege for this engine, which was so evidently founded 

 on that of Symington. Her hull was quite as distinctly his own design, and was vastly 

 superior in build to the Scotch vessel. The first trip of the Clermont was from New York 

 to Clermont, the seat of Mr. Livingston, returning to Albany, and the average speed was 

 five miles per hour. 



THE " CLEUMONT." 



"The Clermont, on her first voyage, arrived at her destination without any accident. 

 She excited the astonishment of the inhabitants of the shores of the Hudson, many of 

 whom had not heard even of an engine, much less of a steam-boat. There were many 

 descriptions of the effects of her first appearance upon the people on the banks of ' the 

 river; some of those were ridiculous, but some of them were of such a character as nothing 

 but an object of real grandeur could have excited. She was described by some who had 

 indistinctly seen her passing in the night, to those who had not had a view of her, as a 

 monster moving on the waters, defying the winds and tide, and breathing flames and 

 smoke. She had the most terrific appearance from other vessels which were navigating 

 the river when she was making her passage. The first steam-boats, as others yet do, 

 used dry pine-wood for fuel, which sends forth a column of ignited vapour many feet 

 above the flue, and whenever the fire is stirred a galaxy of sparks fly off, and in the night 

 have a very brilliant and beautiful appearance. This uncommon light first attracted the 

 attention of the crews of other vessels. Notwithstanding the wind and tide were adverse 

 to its approach, they saw with astonishment that it was rapidly coming towards them; 

 and when it came so near as that the noise of the machinery and paddles was heard, 

 the crews (if what was said in the newspapers of the time be true), in some instances, 



