THE FIRST STEAM SHIP-OF-WAR. 95 



joyous company, were winding through passages left by the anchored vessels as if they 

 were moved by enchantment. The heart could not have been human that did not share 

 in the general enthusiasm expressed by the loud shouts of the multitude. He could not 

 have been a worthy citizen, who did not then say to himself, with pride and exultation, 

 ' This is my country ! ' and when he looked on the man whose single genius had created 

 the most interesting objects of the scene, 'This is my countryman!" 



By May, 1815, her engine was put on board, and she was so far completed as 

 to afford an opportunity of trying her machinery. But, unhappily, before this period the 

 mind that had conceived and combined it was gone. Fulton, almost to the last day of his 

 life, worked incessantly at this, the first steam war-vessel. 



On the 4th July, in the same year, the steam frigate made a passage from New 

 York to the ocean and back, and went the distance which, going and returning, is 

 fifty-three miles in eight hours and twenty minutes, by the mere force of her engine. 

 These trials suggested the correction of some errors, and the supplying of some defects 

 in the machinery. In September she made another passage to the sea, and having at 

 this time the weight of her whole armament on board, she went at an average of five 

 and a half miles an hour, with and against tide. When stemming the tide, which ran 

 at the rate of three miles an hour, she advanced at the rate of two and a half miles an 

 hour. 



We now reach the period which brings us to practical steam navigation in Europe. In 

 January, 1812, Henry Bell, of Helensburgh, Scotland, completed the construction of a small 

 passenger steam vessel, the Comet, of thirty tons burden. She was only forty feet in length, 

 with an engine of three-horse power. The circular which announced its regular trips is 

 worth reprinting, as it is the first advertisement of the kind made in all Europe. It reads 2.3 

 follows : 



" STEAM PASSAGE BOAT, THE COMET, BETWEEN GLASGOW, GHEENOCK, AND HELENSBURGI: 



FOR PASSENGERS ONLY. 



"The Subscriber having, at much expense, fitted up a handsome vessel to ply upc., 

 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 requires only to be proved to 

 meet the approbation of the public ; and the proprietor is determined to do everything in his 

 power to merit public encouragement. 



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

 shillings for the second, but beyond these rates nothing is to be allowed to servants 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. 



