THE BIRTH OF THE STEAMBOAT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 182, 6 September 1909, Page 4

THE BIRTH OF THE STEAMBOAT

THE FULTOX CENTENARY. Fulton, the American engineer whoso centenary is about to be celebrated, was born ill Pennsylvania. He began life as a, miniature portrait and landscape I«inter, in which he made eomc propress, tint soon turned to engineering. He was one of the iiret to apply steam to the propulsion of vessels. In 1797 he proceeded to Paris, where lie remained for several years, devoting himself to new projects and invention*, amongst •wjiio'h -was a sufomariiie Iboat intended to be used in torpedo warfare, Unit neither the French nor the British Government, wlili'ch lie next tried, could be induced to take his invention up, although commissions were appointed in both discs to test its value. In 1803 lie launched on the Seine a small steamboat, which immediately sank; 'but a trial trip was imadc by a second boat eoon after, though without attaining any great speed. In IStIU he returned to New York and pursued his experiments there, lie 'perfected his torpedo system, though it was .never actually adopted; and in 1807 he launched a steam vessel upon the Hudson, winch made a successful start on 11th August, and accomplished the voyage up the river (of nearly 150 miles) to Albany in 32 hours. From this period steamers (for the construction of 'which Fulton received a patent 'from the Legislature) came into pretty general use upon the livers of the Tutted States. Although Fulton Has liy no means the first to apply steam to navigation, yet he was (he first to apply St with any degree of practical success. His reputation was now firmly established, and he was employed by the fluted States Government in the execution, of various projects with .reference ■to canals and otli.'r •.yanks. In 1814 he dbtained the assent of the 'Logis'lafuro to construct a steam warship, which was launched in the following year, hut merer tested in warfare. Though the labors of Fulton were attended with such great success, various lawsuits in which he was engaged in reference 110 the use of some of his patents kept him in constant anxiety and tended to shorten his days, lie died at. Xcw. York on. 24th February, ISIS. The centenary ■will Ibc made the occasion of the airship flight over the route which Fulton took Mp the Hudson river from Now York to Albany in the first steamship, and the Sew York World i< offering a prize of £3OOO to "the aeronaut who accomplishes the joirney in the shortest time.