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U.S. Landmark Books #45
Robert Fulton and the Steamboat
Describes the invention of the first practical steamboat by Robert Fulton and traces the development of water transportation through the use of steam power.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
181 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1954
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 12, 2023
It's always interesting to read about the development of technologies we take for granted, as there's always a fascinating story, and usually person, behind the advent of new inventions that changed the world as we know it. This is no exception: the extraordinary visionary who was responsible for the development of powered transportation. As the book notes, it had been attempted before, even in the ancient world, when steam power was first conceived and experimented with, but rarely beyond models and even toys. Others in more modern times had attempted it, but gave up when they couldn't find backers for their expensive ventures. Robert Fulton didn't let that stop him, however, and it's why he is such a famous figure today.
Despite his rather humble beginnings, it's hard to keep a visionary down. What's most remarkable was Fulton's "Renaissance-Man"-like countenance: his was a prodigious talent, in engineering, mechanics, and painting, of all things. He is most famous for the invention of the first commercially-successful steamboat, the Clermont, named for a friend's estate, but has many additional inventions and patents to his credit. The famous voyage, described in the book, took place in 1807, but many events preceded this momentous journey - one which encompassed a round-trip up and down the Hudson River, for a total of 300 miles, in 62 hours. This venture arguably ushered in yet another transportation revolution, one which rapidly contributed to the opening of the West.
Fulton had long been interested in various aspects of engineering and science, which he studied extensively when in Europe, while in France, he had drawn up designs for his first ventures, which included a submarine and even naval torpedoes. His first actual submarine prototype was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, in 1800, called the "Nautilus," the inspiration for H.G. Wells's "Twenty Thousand Leagues," written less than a century later. Fulton had traveled to Europe at age 23, where he remained for nearly twenty years. There, he experimented with many mechanical inventions, including tugboat canals and dredging machines. He first pitched plans for steam-powered ships to both the British and US governments in the late 18th century, and made several trial runs while still in France, but these were slow to come to fruition. Fulton made additional strides when he collaborated with Robert Livingston, the US Ambassador to France (who had actually sworn in George Washington as the first US President) in 1801, who was likewise interested in steamboats.
Fulton returned to the US in 1806, and a year later he and Livingston built the Clermont, the first commercially successful steamboat, whose famous first voyage up the Hudson is described in detail in the book. Fulton and two additional investors, Livingston and Nicholas Roosevelt worked on a second project, the new steamboat the New Orleans, which was designed to navigate the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, making it all the way to New Orleans, which was a daunting venture at the time. The major challenge was the rapids and the ability to travel upstream against strong and unpredictable currents.
Not only did this extraordinary ship meet expectations, it survived a number of unexpected challenges, including the dreaded "Falls of the Ohio," a tense Indian encounter, an onboard fire after wood was left too close to the furnace during the night, and a series of earthquakes, culminating with the December 16, 1811 great New Madrid earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded on the North American continent. Surviving it all, the New Orleans arrived at its namesake city on January 10, 1812. Unfortunately, it sank only about two years later, after it struck a boulder which punctured its hull. The vessel could not be saved, but the engine and machinery was salvaged and used on a new one, also named the New Orleans, which continued on the same route.
Tragically, Fulton's life was cut short, reportedly after a short bout with pneumonia, hastened by tuberculosis, at the rather tender age of 49, but not before he had achieved more in one lifetime than most people accomplish in ten. This inspiring story, which highlights the virtues of perseverance and ingenuity, despite multiple setbacks and initial failures, is a very worthwhile addition to the Landmark series.
Despite his rather humble beginnings, it's hard to keep a visionary down. What's most remarkable was Fulton's "Renaissance-Man"-like countenance: his was a prodigious talent, in engineering, mechanics, and painting, of all things. He is most famous for the invention of the first commercially-successful steamboat, the Clermont, named for a friend's estate, but has many additional inventions and patents to his credit. The famous voyage, described in the book, took place in 1807, but many events preceded this momentous journey - one which encompassed a round-trip up and down the Hudson River, for a total of 300 miles, in 62 hours. This venture arguably ushered in yet another transportation revolution, one which rapidly contributed to the opening of the West.
Fulton had long been interested in various aspects of engineering and science, which he studied extensively when in Europe, while in France, he had drawn up designs for his first ventures, which included a submarine and even naval torpedoes. His first actual submarine prototype was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, in 1800, called the "Nautilus," the inspiration for H.G. Wells's "Twenty Thousand Leagues," written less than a century later. Fulton had traveled to Europe at age 23, where he remained for nearly twenty years. There, he experimented with many mechanical inventions, including tugboat canals and dredging machines. He first pitched plans for steam-powered ships to both the British and US governments in the late 18th century, and made several trial runs while still in France, but these were slow to come to fruition. Fulton made additional strides when he collaborated with Robert Livingston, the US Ambassador to France (who had actually sworn in George Washington as the first US President) in 1801, who was likewise interested in steamboats.
Fulton returned to the US in 1806, and a year later he and Livingston built the Clermont, the first commercially successful steamboat, whose famous first voyage up the Hudson is described in detail in the book. Fulton and two additional investors, Livingston and Nicholas Roosevelt worked on a second project, the new steamboat the New Orleans, which was designed to navigate the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, making it all the way to New Orleans, which was a daunting venture at the time. The major challenge was the rapids and the ability to travel upstream against strong and unpredictable currents.
Not only did this extraordinary ship meet expectations, it survived a number of unexpected challenges, including the dreaded "Falls of the Ohio," a tense Indian encounter, an onboard fire after wood was left too close to the furnace during the night, and a series of earthquakes, culminating with the December 16, 1811 great New Madrid earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded on the North American continent. Surviving it all, the New Orleans arrived at its namesake city on January 10, 1812. Unfortunately, it sank only about two years later, after it struck a boulder which punctured its hull. The vessel could not be saved, but the engine and machinery was salvaged and used on a new one, also named the New Orleans, which continued on the same route.
Tragically, Fulton's life was cut short, reportedly after a short bout with pneumonia, hastened by tuberculosis, at the rather tender age of 49, but not before he had achieved more in one lifetime than most people accomplish in ten. This inspiring story, which highlights the virtues of perseverance and ingenuity, despite multiple setbacks and initial failures, is a very worthwhile addition to the Landmark series.
October 10, 2021
Robert Fulton and the Steam Boat by Ralph Nading Hill- Children’s illustrated picture Book- US Landmark Book #45- As a child, Robert Fulton resided in Pennsylvania Colony, Lancaster, USA. His father had expired. His mother was able to afford for his school and food. Robert prepared a pencil with locally available material. He repaired handles of broken kitchen utensils. At school, painting was taught. Robert could not afford to purchase a painting brush. With the help of hair from cat/s tail, he prepared a painting brush. He was talented in preparing sketches and painting pictures of his family members. He was innovative. While on a fishing expedition with his friend Peter, he dreamt of running a boat mechanically, i.e. without the help of oars & bamboos. After three years of study, Robert left school. He started working at a gun repair shop with old Peter and his son Chris. Peter informed Robert that his friend William Henry attempted on a model to run a boat with power generated by steam but this model did not succeed because the generator was large and heavy while the boat was light. It could not balance the weight of the generator. Robert went to a floor mill to get his corn powdered. Here he saw that the flour mill uses a water wheel to run the blades of the flour mill. He joined two pedal wheels with a crank to run a boat. This was a period when Americans were fighting the British dominance. The people wanted more and more guns. On USA, independence day 04 July, 1777, Robert participated. Here one person viewed his paintings. He was impressed and invited him to shift to Philadelphia where the rich could get their sketches and painting prepared and he could earn some money. Robert shifted to Philadelphia. After some days, he met Benjamin Franklin, who was a famous inventor & printer. Franklin suggested that Robert should visit England and learn the art of painting. Benjamin wrote a recommendatory letter to Benjamin West who was a painter and portrait maker with King George III. Robert purchased a farm for his mother & his family. He took a loan and travelled to England by ship. He reached England, lived & studied the art of portrait and painting with Benjamin West. Soon he paid his loan and sent money to his mother. He met Duke of Bridgewater who owned coal and marble mines. Robert prepared strong ropes to pull his boats in the canal. Robert designed a machine to cut marble in proper measured size. Robert designed a Torpedo, underwater boat. He displayed the torpedo in England and France but no one country was prepared to finance this project. Robert met USA ambassador in France, Mr. Livingstone who was impressed with the idea of steam boat. He was prepared to finance his project under his partnership. Once the project was completed, a strong storm blew and broke his steam boat. On 08-08-1805, Robert displayed his steam boat. Newspapers coverage of his invention made him popular. He left for USA and applied for Government permission to run his steam boat. Livingstone was granted permission to run his steam boat in Hudson river. His experiment invention was successful. He earned money by manufacturing larger steam boats. He married Harriet Livingstone and had children. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured illustrations help the student reader to grasp the text and associate with the contents.
December 5, 2019
A friend of mine had a copy of this Landmark book and loaned it to me. It is so good! I didn't expect less, it being a Landmark, but I am always amazed at how wonderful the stories are. Two of my children read it also, and we all enjoyed the story of Robert Fulton's life. I love how the book ties in past tries at steam power, even as far back as 200 BC, showing what a great feat this truly was! This book is perfect for kids ages 8 and up and grown ups who want to know more!
November 18, 2022
I read this to my kids. I didn't really know much of anything about Fulton before, so I found this interesting as well. Pretty readable, but it felt a bit disjointed and wasn't the most interesting story, but that's not necessarily all the author's fault.
June 9, 2023
Random old book I picked up at a free book share thing. Easy read about Fulton and his experiences.
February 19, 2024
This was a great biography of a hardworking man. It took an American to discover this great invention.
December 6, 2025
Το βιβλίο εστιάζει στη ζωή και το έργο του Αμερικανού εφευρέτη Ρόμπερτ Φούλτον, ο οποίος έπαιξε καθοριστικό ρόλο στην ανάπτυξη του ατμόπλοιου. Η αφήγηση περιγράφει τις προσπάθειες του Φούλτον, ξεκινώντας από την ιδέα του για την ατμοκίνηση, τα εμπόδια που αντιμετώπισε, τη συνεργασία του με τον Ρόμπερτ Λίβινγκστον και, τελικά, την κατασκευή του περίφημου Clermont. Το βιβλίο κορυφώνεται με την ιστορική πρώτη διαδρομή του ατμόπλοιου στον ποταμό Χάντσον, ένα γεγονός που άλλαξε για πάντα τις θαλάσσιες μεταφορές. Ο συγγραφέας συνδυάζει βιογραφικά στοιχεία με τεχνικές λεπτομέρειες, δίνοντας μια καλή εικόνα του πνεύματος της καινοτομίας της εποχής.
Το βιβλίο ασχολείται με τη σημασία της εφεύρεσης, την επιμονή και την τεχνολογική πρόοδο. Αναδεικνύει πώς μια ιδέα μπορεί να αλλάξει τον κόσμο. Περνάει μηνύματα για την αξία της σκληρής δουλειάς και της δέσμευσης σε έναν στόχο, ακόμα κι όταν οι άλλοι αμφιβάλλουν.
Η γραφή είναι κατανοητή και πληροφοριακή. Η γλώσσα ρέει ομαλά, κάνοντας την ανάγνωση εύκολη για όσους ενδιαφέρονται για την ιστορία και την τεχνολογία. Το ύφος είναι μάλλον ουδέτερο, ακαδημαϊκό, χωρίς να έχει έντονα λογοτεχνικά ή συναισθηματικά στοιχεία.
Ο Ρόμπερτ Φούλτον είναι φυσικά ο κεντρικός χαρακτήρας, ένας αποφασισμένος και ευφυής εφευρέτης. Οι άλλοι χαρακτήρες, όπως ο Λίβινγκστον, εξυπηρετούν το ιστορικό πλαίσιο και την εξέλιξη του έργου.
Συνολικά, μιλάμε για ένα αξιοπρεπές βιβλίο ιστορίας που παρέχει μια σταθερή βάση για τη ζωή και το επίτευγμα του Ρόμπερτ Φούλτον. Δεν είναι ένα αριστούργημα της λογοτεχνίας ή μια δουλειά που προσφέρει συγκλονιστικές νέες οπτικές ή συναισθηματική φόρτιση, εξ ου και τα 3 αστέρια. Η αξία του έργου είναι αναμφισβήτητη ως εκπαιδευτικό υλικό, καθώς η συγγραφέας κάνει μια καλή δουλειά στην παράθεση των γεγονότων, είναι λεπτομερής και προσεκτική στην έρευνά της, αλλά η αφήγηση στερείται κάποιου βάθους ή ψυχολογικής ανάλυσης που θα μπορούσε να κάνει την ιστορία του Φούλτον πιο ζωντανή και άμεση. Είναι περισσότερο ένα βιβλίο-εγχειρίδιο, χρήσιμο για όποιον θέλει να μάθει τα βασικά της ιστορίας της εφεύρεσης του ατμόπλοιου. Δεν θα σας μείνει αξέχαστο για το στυλ του, αλλά θα σας πληροφορήσει σωστά και θα σας διασκεδάσει, αν και ίσως φανεί λίγο στεγνό σε όσους ψάχνουν κάτι πιο λογοτεχνικό. Παρέχει μια ελαφριά ματιά σε ένα βαρυσήμαντο ιστορικό γεγονός, χωρίς να το απομυθοποιεί τελείως ή να το αναλύει με υπερβολικό ακαδημαϊκό τρόπο. Η δομή της σειράς είναι μάλλον τυποποιημένη, κάτι που αφαιρεί πόντους από την πρωτοτυπία. Παρόλα αυτά, για όσους ενδιαφέρονται συγκεκριμένα για το νομικό και ιστορικό πλαίσιο, είναι μια αξιόλογη πηγή πληροφοριών. Το βιβλίο πετυχαίνει τον στόχο του να ενημερώσει, χωρίς να προσφέρει κάτι παραπάνω από αυτό που υπόσχεται ο τίτλος του.
Μια καλή επιλογή για όσους ψάχνουν απλές ιστορικές πληροφορίες.
Το βιβλίο ασχολείται με τη σημασία της εφεύρεσης, την επιμονή και την τεχνολογική πρόοδο. Αναδεικνύει πώς μια ιδέα μπορεί να αλλάξει τον κόσμο. Περνάει μηνύματα για την αξία της σκληρής δουλειάς και της δέσμευσης σε έναν στόχο, ακόμα κι όταν οι άλλοι αμφιβάλλουν.
Η γραφή είναι κατανοητή και πληροφοριακή. Η γλώσσα ρέει ομαλά, κάνοντας την ανάγνωση εύκολη για όσους ενδιαφέρονται για την ιστορία και την τεχνολογία. Το ύφος είναι μάλλον ουδέτερο, ακαδημαϊκό, χωρίς να έχει έντονα λογοτεχνικά ή συναισθηματικά στοιχεία.
Ο Ρόμπερτ Φούλτον είναι φυσικά ο κεντρικός χαρακτήρας, ένας αποφασισμένος και ευφυής εφευρέτης. Οι άλλοι χαρακτήρες, όπως ο Λίβινγκστον, εξυπηρετούν το ιστορικό πλαίσιο και την εξέλιξη του έργου.
Συνολικά, μιλάμε για ένα αξιοπρεπές βιβλίο ιστορίας που παρέχει μια σταθερή βάση για τη ζωή και το επίτευγμα του Ρόμπερτ Φούλτον. Δεν είναι ένα αριστούργημα της λογοτεχνίας ή μια δουλειά που προσφέρει συγκλονιστικές νέες οπτικές ή συναισθηματική φόρτιση, εξ ου και τα 3 αστέρια. Η αξία του έργου είναι αναμφισβήτητη ως εκπαιδευτικό υλικό, καθώς η συγγραφέας κάνει μια καλή δουλειά στην παράθεση των γεγονότων, είναι λεπτομερής και προσεκτική στην έρευνά της, αλλά η αφήγηση στερείται κάποιου βάθους ή ψυχολογικής ανάλυσης που θα μπορούσε να κάνει την ιστορία του Φούλτον πιο ζωντανή και άμεση. Είναι περισσότερο ένα βιβλίο-εγχειρίδιο, χρήσιμο για όποιον θέλει να μάθει τα βασικά της ιστορίας της εφεύρεσης του ατμόπλοιου. Δεν θα σας μείνει αξέχαστο για το στυλ του, αλλά θα σας πληροφορήσει σωστά και θα σας διασκεδάσει, αν και ίσως φανεί λίγο στεγνό σε όσους ψάχνουν κάτι πιο λογοτεχνικό. Παρέχει μια ελαφριά ματιά σε ένα βαρυσήμαντο ιστορικό γεγονός, χωρίς να το απομυθοποιεί τελείως ή να το αναλύει με υπερβολικό ακαδημαϊκό τρόπο. Η δομή της σειράς είναι μάλλον τυποποιημένη, κάτι που αφαιρεί πόντους από την πρωτοτυπία. Παρόλα αυτά, για όσους ενδιαφέρονται συγκεκριμένα για το νομικό και ιστορικό πλαίσιο, είναι μια αξιόλογη πηγή πληροφοριών. Το βιβλίο πετυχαίνει τον στόχο του να ενημερώσει, χωρίς να προσφέρει κάτι παραπάνω από αυτό που υπόσχεται ο τίτλος του.
Μια καλή επιλογή για όσους ψάχνουν απλές ιστορικές πληροφορίες.
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