616 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



neer of the Thames Tunnel, built a steamboat on the Hudson, which 

 was partially successful. 



During the early years of the present century invention was very 

 active. 



The improvements in the stationary engine had been carried forward 

 so rapidly as to give great hope to those whose dream it was to drive a 

 boat surely and safely against wind and tide. 



Symington was experimenting on the Forth and Clyde Canal in Eng- 

 land in 1802. Iu 1803 Fulton launched his experimental steamboat, 

 built on a large scale, on the Seine below Paris. En 1804 John Stevens 

 propelled his boat, driven by twin-screws geared to a steam-engine, 

 from the battery in New York across the Hudson Eiver to Castle Point, 

 Hoboken, at a speed of six miles an hour, and in 180(3 he constructed 

 a pirogue fifty feet long, which developed considerable speed. 



But all these attempts maybe regarded as experiments — more or less 

 successful — for it was not until 1807 that the success of Fulton with 

 the Clermont and John Stevens with the Phoenix demonstrated to Ameri- 

 can capitalists that the steam-engine could be practically and economic- 

 ally applied to navigation. 



Bell, who followed a few mouths later, was equally successful in En- 

 glish waters. 



EARLY STEAM VESSELS. 



The news of Fulton's success on the Hudson soon spread to all parts 

 of the globe and attracted the attention of men in every department of 

 public life. 



Statesmen saw that the invention would revolutionize commerce, 

 while it foreshadowed great possibilities for national development. Sol- 

 diers and sailors knew that the sailing frigate must soon be replaced 

 by a craft driven by steam-power, and that new modes of warfare must 

 shortly follow the introduction of the steamboat on inland waters. 



New water routes not hitherto navigable by sailing vessels were 

 speedily opened and capital sought investment in steamboat property. 



Iu 1809 the first steamboat on the St. Lawrence was launched ; this 

 was followed by a second iu 1813. 



In 1811 the New Orleans the first steamboat for service on Western 

 waters was launched at Pittsburgh. 



In 1812 the Comet., the first steamboat on the Clyde, was launched, 

 and, strangely enough, a steamboat was built in Batavia the same year 

 for use in India. 



In 1813 a steamer was launched at Manchester, and another at Bris- 

 tol. 



In March, 1814, the Congress of the United States passed a law author 

 izing the President to cause to be equipped " one or more steam float- 

 ing batteries for the defense of the waters of the United States," and 

 on October 18 of the same year the first war steamship, designed by 



