The following is all taken from captainjohn.org. I got started looking at his site, and got lost in it! Wonderfully presented information about America’s history!
American history (until recently) gave all the credit for the invention of the steamboat to Robert Fulton. Lately however, John Fitch has been getting his fair share. But, there is the question of who should get the credit – someone that does it and fails? Or someone that does it and succeeds?
Fitch failed, and did so rather miserably. Fitch’s biggest mistake may have been claiming the vessel “and the steam engine” (both) as his inventions. Fitch however, was obviously unaware that Ben Franklin not only personally knew James Watt who invented the steam engine, but Franklin was also responsible for the establishment of the US Patent Office.
Fitch of course, did not invent the steam engine, and therefore Ben Franklin put the nix on Fitch’s ability to convince Congress to give him any money or exclusive rights as was customary for the government to do to inventors for things considered to be good for the Public or Nation.
History might have been written differently, had Fitch not tried to claim he invented the steam engine, or had not argued with Ben Franklin.
As a boy, Fitch would have nothing to do with school. His own parents ran him off the family’s farm at the age of 19. He then apprenticed himself to a local Clockmaker in Connecticut. He argued with his boss, quit, and then apprenticed himself to a Metalsmith and repeated his behavior. Then again, he did the same thing with a Silversmith. After that, he left Connecticut and went to New Jersey and set himself up as a Goldsmith. Accused of stealing from customers, and to escape his debt, he left New Jersey and went to Kentucky. There, he again was accused of stealing gold and silver from his customers.
To escape prosecution and his accusers, Fitch joined the Continental Army. But soon enough, he was caught up in a turmoil there too, accusing his superior officers of being idiots and derelicts. He deserted and went to W. Virginia and found work at a surveying company. While working for the surveying company, he began selling beer and tobacco to Indians; and this, may have been his life’s most lucrative venture; until the Indians decided they didn’t want him around, captured him and traded him to the British. The British soon discovered they made a bad trade and turned Fitch loose. It was at this point in life, in 1785, at age 43, John Fitch, claimed he had the idea to build a steamboat.
Years later, after his death; discovered in Fitch’s own memoirs, Fitch mentions he “returned to Bucks County KY and dug up the gold and silver he had “hidden” and used that money to build his paddle-wheeled steamboat. So with stolen money, in 1787; Fitch was able to demonstrate a 3 mph trial run of a 45-ft. steam-powered
paddle-wheeled craft on the Delaware River. As customary, Representatives from Congress were present to witness his demonstration.
It wasn’t until Ben Franklin died, that In 1791 – John Fitch (without claim to having invented the steam engine) finally received a U.S. patent for a paddle-wheeled propulsion, steam-engine powered boat. But, congress would not give him any money, and his “steamboat” business failed before it ever got off to a start. In 1798 – a very biased, full of hate and bitter man, John Fitch committed suicide… It would be another 19 years before Robert Fulton demo’s his Clermont.In 1802 – William Symington (in Scotland) demonstrated what has become historically known as “Europe’s first practical steamboat” the Charlotte Dundas. Of course, history does not tell us what made it so “practical”. Maybe because it was the first one that floated, or perhaps that it reached a speed of 4 mph. Whatever made it so “practical” however, we can easily figure out who knew the answer…
Symington’s demonstration was witnessed by two Americans, one was Robert Livingston, America’s Minister to France, and the other was a fledging American artist trying to find passage home after not finding any career success in London or Paris. The artist, was Robert Fulton.
Meanwhile, President Thomas Jefferson (our 3rd President) is in office, and extremely worried about Napoleon’s ambitions to take over the world – and, rightfully so. ( Napoleonic Wars) As the former American Minister to France, President Jefferson already had concerns that Napoleon had plans to invade America; and evidence provided to him by Capt. John Paul Jones had confirmed his suspicions. Jones provided Jefferson with proof that part of Napoleon’s army had already crossed Siberia, with plans to ride Russian fur-trade vessels across the ocean, and then march to the White House. If successful it would mean that Napoleon’s Army could completely surround the United States. So, Jefferson made two ‘timely and critical’ decisions:
1. to send James Monroe to France to meet with Robert Livingston so the two of them could discuss the possibility of purchasing the ‘City’ of New Orleans from Napoleon.
2. Jefferson created “The Corp of Discovery” which sent Lewis & Clark on an expedition to find out if indeed there was a water route that Napoleon would use to reach the Mississippi river and thus the White House, from the Pacific Ocean.Now, back in France, watching Symington’s demonstration, the American artist Robert Fulton was meticulously drawing every detail of the Charlotte Dundas as he and the American Minister – Robert Livingston, became quick friends. When Fulton finally made it home, he was carrying with him what would prove to be some very valuable drawings – not of landscapes or French nudes however – but of the Charlotte Dundas.
Luckily for us, back in France, Napoleon was seriously distracted. He had fallen madly in love with Marie-Louise – 21 years his younger, and the daughter of the Emperor of Austria (that he had just over-thrown) and daughter of the Princess Theresa of Naples (where he announced himself King). Napoleon, still married to Josephine, is now having an affair with a cute little thing 21 years younger than he… And she is used to the finer things in life (being a Princess and all), and is spending Napoleon’s money faster than he can move his armies. Suddenly, Napoleon is having financial troubles. While trying to maintain armies; win wars, and keep the wife happy, Napoleon is preoccupied with keeping his new love interest satisfied. WOW! Does that sound familiar? No man… even if he is an Emperor or even a President, can handle all that messing around and still take care of business. (Then again, I guess that all depends on what your
definition of “is” is. LOL )How timely it was though, that James Monroe and Robert Livingston enter the picture. Sent by President Jefferson in 1803; Monroe had ten million dollars in his pocket to try and buy just the ‘City’ of New Orleans. So when Monroe and Livingston mention to Napoleon that America has some interest in a tiny bit of unspecified land on the Mississippi – Napoleon is so thrilled, before he hears their offer… he offers them “all” 827,000 square miles of Louisiana (not what we know as the State, but the French owned entire area from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada) for $15 million. Monroe of course, didn’t even think twice, It would have taken at least 6 months to send a messenger to Jefferson. (remember, no phones). So, Monroe and Livingston finalized the deal with Napoleon on the spot.
Suddenly, the Louisiana Purchase was made; and although it wouldn’t be “officially celebrated” until 2003, it was a done deal that instantly doubled the size of the United States, adding Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. And as the ink was drying on Napoleon’s signature to the agreement, Lewis & Clark were already on their way.
In 1803 – Now, “inventor” Robert Fulton was a very busy and popular man. He and the American Minister to France, Robert Livingston (who came back to America with James Monroe) had formed a partnership; and with Fulton’s drawings in hand, Livingston and Fulton became partners and soon had the exclusive steam-powered navigation rights for the development of steamboats. This is all they needed.
In 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr kills Alexander Hamilton in a legal duel over campaign election results. (Remember “dangling chads”?)
In 1807 – Well financed by Livingston, Robert Fulton’s paddle-wheeled steamboat the Clermont, (named after the Livinston’s Estate “Clermont”) traveled 150 miles from NYC to Albany in record breaking speed. The trip took 30 hours and included an over-night stay – this beat out the fastest over-land route by 4 days and the fastest sailing vessel by 2 days. News of Fulton’s “fast” (7 mph) steam-powered, paddle-wheeled driven boat seem to travel faster than the journey itself, and the Clermont set in motion what would become the first commercially successful Steamboat Company in the world.
Also In 1807 – Robert E. Lee is born in Virginia. Robert Stevens, builds the paddle-wheeled steamboat Phoenix, which operates for six years on the Delaware River. To reach the Delaware, the Phoenix had to navigate from New York City, around New Jersey, and thus became the first sternwheeler and steamship to cruise on the ocean.
And Robert Fulton, under Livingston’s influence however – realized how important the Louisiana Purchase was for opening the Mississippi and Mid-West. They promptly began building what would be one of the largest stern-wheeled steamboats to ever navigate the waters of the Mississippi River. The boat was named New Orleans and was 116 feet length, 20 feet beam, the engine had one cylinder 34 inches in diameter.
His history timeline continues, and if you’re really interested in taking a look at it, it’s done well and is an easy read.
But in the meantime, let’s continue with a couple of other interesting facts he’s included.
By the time Samuel Clemens was 10 (1845),in Hannibal, MO-traffic made it impossible to look at the Mississippi River in daylight, and not see a riverboat passing by.
In 1849 – St. Louis alone, reported being visited by 3,000 different riverboats. The City had grown from a population 3,000 to over 77,000 and had become the second largest Port in the country (second only to NYC).
In 1849, Abraham Lincoln received Patent No. 6469 for a device to lift riverboats over shoals, an invention (obviously driven from his experience) which made him the only U.S. President to ever hold a patent.
In 1857, Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) embarks on his career as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, and did so until the outbreak of the Civil War.
In 1860 – Abraham Lincoln elected president, and the first Pony Express begins operating between St. Joseph, MO and Sacramento, CA.
In 1861 – Civil War begins while the first transcontinental telegraph line was put in operation. Drafted by the Army, Samuel Clemens “quits” and goes to Virginia City, Nevada where he begins using the name Mark Twain. Apache Indian Chief Cochise officially declares war on “White Man” and the “Apache Wars” begin until 1924. (The total time the Apaches and US Army fought was from 1849-1924.)
In 1862 – The Sultana is christened by the John Lithoberry Shipyard in Cincinnati, Ohio, weighing 1,719 tons, the steamer carried a crew of 85. She ran a regular route between St. Louis and New Orleans and was frequently commissioned by the War Department to carry troops.
In 1863 – The entire Mississippi River is controlled by the Union Army, and with the exception of transporting Union soldiers and supplies – all Riverboat traffic on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri comes to a halt. Also, Battle at Gettysburg, Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address; and declares Thanksgiving to be a
national holiday.
In 1865 – On April 9, Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Pres. Lincoln was shot on Apr. 14 and dies at 7:22 am on Apr. 15, On Apr. 27 the steamboat, Sultana, explodes near Memphis after passing a safety inspection in St. Louis. She was loaded with 2,400 passengers (mostly Union soldiers). More than 1,800 passengers killed. This exceeds the number of the lives lost on the Titanic and remains “America’s worst maritime disaster”.
And there’s a bunch more history . . . and then, just when I decided to be done, I notice this in the margin:
1912 – The Titanic sinks. I promised to let you know what the Titanic, Molly Tobin Brown (the Unsinkable Molly Brown) and River Boats had in common. The answer is Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). Did you know that Margaret Tobin was born in Hannibal, MO? It was there, working as a waitress, she met, Samuel Clemens. He taught her how to handle a row boat on the Mississippi River. It was also Clemens that told her of the get rich gold opportunities in the Rocky Mountains. She took his advice. Today, we all know Margaret Tobin as: “the Unsinkable” Molly Brown.
If you enjoyed reading this, I encourage you to check out this guy’s website.