The Franklin Mint History Of The United States, 1776-1973
Manufacturer
The Franklin Mint
DateNo Date
MediumSilver
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/4 in. (45 mm.)
ClassificationsDecorative arts
Credit LineGift of Dr. Eugene F. Poutasse
Object number76.81.32
On View
Not on viewThe 1807 medal: Fulton's "Clermont" Proves Successful
Although Robert Fulton is often called the "inventor" of the steamboat, at least 16 others were built in America before the 'Clermont,' the most notable being those of James Rumsey, John Fitch and John Stevens.
Devoted to painting and mechanical drawing, Fulton went to Europe in 1786 for his health, not returning for 20 years. While in England he was encouraged to give his full time to engineering projects. He made many canal improvements, invented a diving boat and experimented with mines and torpedoes.
In France he made an agreement with the U.S. Minister, Robert R. Livingston, to construct a steamboat to navigate the Hudson River. Livingston held the exclusive privilege of navigating steam vessels in New York State but had not exercised it, as a steamboat he had built in 1798 failed to meet the required four miles an hour.
Fulton built two steamboats in France, the first one sinking (1803) from the weight of the engine. The 'Clermont,' Fulton's third steamboat, was 133 feet long, 18 feet wide and 7 feet in depth, dark and somewhat ugly looking. The memorable 160-mile trip from New York to Albany was made in 32 hours during August 17-19, 1807. (The return trip required another 30 hours-4 and 1/2 days in all, including stops.)
Owners of sailing boats saw that the steamboat would doom them. Several times on succeeding trips they ran the 'Clermont' down and knocked off paddlewheels. As a result, when the 'Clermont' was lengthened for commercial service on the Hudson not long afterward, the paddle wheels were enclosed.
Before Fulton's death in 1815, he directed the building of many other steamboats, including the 'New Orleans,' first steamboat on the Mississippi. Fulton made the steamboat a commercial success, one that others envied and history has preserved.
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