The Battle Over Who Invented the First Steamboat.

Some credit John Fitch as the inventor of the first steam boat. Others credit James Rumsey. While Rumsey was working to solve the logistical problems of a viable steam engine, Fitch was showing around plans for building his. In 1785, when both of the projects were in their conceptual stages, there was not yet a U. S. Patent service. Instead Fitch petitioned various state legislatures for monopoly control of steam engine driven river traffic and steam boat construction and had his concept entered in at least one court register in order to have the entry as evidence in any future court proceeding.

Both men presented their plans to George Washington (who was not yet President).

The following is part of a letter, wrote by the editor [Rumsey], to his Excellency General Washington, dated the l0th of March, 1785.

After mentioning that kind of machine for propelling boats which the General had seen a model of, I proceed to say — I have taken the greatest pains to perfect another kind of boat, upon the principles I mentioned to you at Richmond in November last, and have the pleasure to inform you that I have brought it to great perfection; it is true, it will cost something more than the other way, but, when in use, will be more manageable, and can be worked with as few hands; the power is immense — and I have quite convinced myself that boats of passage may be made to go against the current of the Mississippi or Ohio rivers, or in the Gulf Stream (from the Leeward to the Windward-Islands) from sixty to one hundred miles per day. I know this will appear strange and improbable to many persons, yet I am very certain it may be performed, besides, it is simple (when understood) and is also strictly philosophical. The principles of this boat I am very cautious not to explain, as it would be easily executed by an ingenious person. The plan I mean to pursue, is to put both the machines on board of boats built on a large scale, and then, Sir, if you would be kind enough to see them make actual performances, I should not doubt but the assemblies would allow me something handsome, which would be more advantageous to the public than to give me the exclusive right of using them.

(No. 13.)

A PARAGRAPH from General Washington's Letter, in answer to mine of the l0th of March 1785.

“It gives me much pleasure to find by your letter, that you are not less sanguine in your boat project than when I law you in Richmond, and that you have made such further discoveries as will render them more extensively useful than was at first expected, you have my best wishes for the success of your plan."

Rumsey's caution cost him in the end. His steamboat was unknown except to a small number of people in whom he had confided. Fitch made sure that his far less viable design, existing only on paper, was spread to everyone who might fund it and/or give him a monopoly on steamboat travel based upon it.

By 1588, the year Rumsey published his pamphlet accusing Fitch of stealing his work, and Fitch published his reply,of the pamphlets, both had contacted other famous patriots from the Revolutionary War many of whom had since applied themselves to serving in public office. Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia, was cited in favor of Fitch. Thomas Randolph was cited by both. It is not often that we see these figures involved in other more pratical work for the new nation.

Among the depositions Rumsey provided in his pamphlet is the following description of the struggle at the time to gather together the materials and expertise necessary to realize a new technology. His boat was driven by air propulsion. Fitch's was propelled by rows of oars mechanically connected to a steam piston.

Berkeley County, Virginia, ss (No. 11.)

This day came Charles Morrow, before me, one of the Justices of the peace for the aforesaid county, and made oath, that in the course of the summer 1785, Mr James Rumsey, had a boat built near the town of Bath, that early in the fall he had her brought down the river to Shepherds-Town, and shortly after Mr. Joseph Barnes was sent to Baltimore, in order to have some machinery cast; that he then understood the boat was to be propel[l]ed by steam; that shortly after Mr. Barns returned from Baltimore he was sent to Frederick-Town, in order to have some other things made, agreeable to Mr. Rumsey's directions, and thinks he returned from thence about the middle of November; that he the said Charles then saw the machinery Mr Barns had got made, viz: a boiler, two cylinders, pumps, pipes, &c. That about the First of December it appeared to the said Charles, that the whole of the Machinery was ready to be fixed to the boat, which came down to the Falls of Sh[e]nandoah for experiment, but the ice then Commencing prevented it for the winter. That in the winter Mr Rumsey told him he had made sundry improvements ; in particular, that he had invented an entirely new Constructed boiler; that the said Rumsey sent to a forge for iron, and set two smiths to work, with directions how to make it; but when it was ready to be put together, he found, upon examination, the workmanship was so badly executed that it would not answer the purpose; he therefore concluded to try an experiment with his old boiler ; and the said Charles says, that Mr. Barns (Mr. Rumsey's principal Mechanic) Continued during the winter to execute the different improvements Mr. Rumsey had made; in the Spring, 1786, the Machinery was put bn the boat, and the first trial made, the said Charles being, on board; that she went against the current until the steam escaped, by the then iniperfectness of the machine. Upon an experiment made with the new boiler, the heat of the Steam was so greatly increased, that it dissolved the soft Solder, which had been thought, and before had proved, sufficient for cementing the sundry parts of such machines; and as hard solder was obliged to be used in the repairs, delays were necessarily created. July 1787, 

Mr. Rumsey had his new-constructed boiler repaired, which he the said Charles conceives to be the most capital contrivance to make steam that can be invented, for when the Machine is not at work, the whistling of the Steam may be heard at least half a mile; and he is convinced that it does not hold more than three gallons of water ; and the said Charles further saith that Mr. Rumsey has for several years steadily pursued his boat scheme, to the total Neglect of every other Kind of business, which has very considerably injured his circumstances, having Mr. Barns employed at five pound per month; since the year eighty-five; and that he conceives the boat to be now near her completion: And the said Charles has not a doubt but Mr. Rumsey is equal to the task of making her perform according to the original position.

Charles Morrow.

While John Fitch's original design was entirely impractical, he had managed legislative decrees from a number of states giving him total rights to produce all designs of steamboats. On that basis he shamelessly coopted Rumsey's better design. In the instance of Virginia, Rumsey managed to convince the legislature to void Fitch's decree in favor of one of his own.

Extract from the minutes of the House of Assembly of Virginia on the Petition &c. of James Rumsey.

An ACT for vesting in JAMES RUMSEY, Esquire, the exclusive right and privilege of making, using and vending divers engines, machines and devices, by him invented, or improved, for a term of years therein mentioned.

The first commercially viable steamboat was designed by Robert Fulton and built in 1807.

Source: Morgan, Christopher. The Documentary History State of New York (1849). II.1013-1102.

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