Kentucky Gazette

From the Shepherdstown Journal of January 11.

JAMES RUMSEY—AGAIN.

It will be seen by the attached letter, that the information sought, on the subject of Rumsey's invention and experiments, on the powers of Steam, at this place, has not been sought in vain. We expect in the course of a few weeks to receive additional information from several gentlemen to whom we have been referred, and of whom it has been solicited. To those gentlemen who have been so kind as to assist in directing our researches we are greatly indebted, and beg them to accept our unfeigned thanks.

We have been kindly favored by Mr. Bedinger, with a statement respecting Mr. Rumsey and his invention, which will be found below. Mr. B. having been particularly acquainted with the person of whom he writes, and a gentleman who sustains an unimpeachable character, the facts stated by him, may be implicitly relied on.

If we have transcended the liberty he intended to grant us, in publishing the note which enclosed his statement, he will please pardon us. We were led to it by the facts it contains.

Potomac, Jan 5, 1826

SIR—I send you enclosed a statement or short history of the origin of application of steam to boats ships, &c. Shepherdstown and James Rumsey, are unquestionably entitled to the honor of the invention of applying steam to them. A Mr. Fitch from the Northward it is said has also claimed a participation; but the following circumstances will totally defeat his claim. When Mr. James Rumsey had nearly completed his machinery, or at least had made considerable progress, the few confidants of Rumsey, frequently expressed their hope and belief that he would succeed. This same Fitch having heard the rumor of probable success, came to Shepherdstown under a borrowed name, his business was to find out Rumsey's plans; his anxiety to hear or see, caused suspicion; he was seized, I think, on some pretext confessed his name and business; and I believe my influence with some others saved him from corporal, though perhaps arbitrary punishment. He went off, after having been in Shepherdstown, incog. some days, and 'tis said completed a boat &c but it was found not to answer the purpose. 'Tis said that Fulton commenced his experiments several years after this, went to England and it is supposed he there learnt all Rumsey's experiments.

Very respectfully, I am

Your obedient servant,

HENRY BEDINGER.

Mr. G. Fleming, Shepherdstown

POTOMAC JAN. 4. 1826.

Sir I have delayed answering your letter of the 17th ult; in the hope that among my old papers I might find something to assist a feeble memory, and to elucidate and develop the subject of enquiry to all which I have failed. Sometime prior to the revolution Mr. James Rumsey, then a lad emigrated with his family from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and settled in Shepherdstown, where James, the first who ever attempted to apply steam to propelling boats, grew up to manhood and at an early period, often manifested by his actions the possession of extraordinary genius, mechanical powers, and a spirit of enterprise.

Soon after the revolutionary war when the Potomac Company was formed he was employed as the superintendent of all the works carrying on being their superseded, he returned to Shepherdstown; 'tis said while in that service having frequently prior to that period passed up and down by water to his saw mill at the mouth of Sleepy Creek that he conceived the idea of propelling boats through and against rapid water by steam.

Mr. James Rumsey possessed little property of value, had a small family to maintain, and no wealthy connections, yet under these circumstances, he commenced, the untried, the difficult task of propelling boats by the application of steam. He was compelled to invent and form with his own hands, all, the complex machinery, composed of wood, iron, brass and steel. He was a little assisted in the mechanical part of the labor by Joseph Barns, his brother in law, who was a kind of secondary character, but no doubt useful by directions from Mr. Rumsey—All the work was performed and a variety of experiments made with closed doors, whilst the mass of his acquaintances, derided his schemes, pitied his folly, denounced his temerity, called him a concerted projector &c &c nothing however could, or did divert him, from this his most ardent pursuit; he persevered for perhaps a year & a half before he perfected the machinery. He Barns then built a boat 30 or 35 feet long but not to out drawn to a point at each end in lieu they placed a short rudder or steering oar. This boat they launched at the ferry landing, placed thereon 7 or 8 tons of stone, together with all the variety of machinery, necessary for creating steam. Notice was then given that on a certain day, the boat was to be propelled by the force of steam; and the people of the vicinity were thus invited to view its progress and passage up the river against the stream. The bank of the river on the day appointed was lined with anxious spectators, several ladies, were taken into the boat, Capt Charles Morrow placed himself at the helm and James Rumsey near the boiler of the engine; the boat was let loose, and began first gradually and then a little more rapidly to move against the stream, while loud plaudits were bestowed by those on shore.

The boat thus propelled by the force of steam, ascended the river to some distance above the large Rock, supposed to have proceeded up about a quarter of a mile when Capt Morrow, at the helm, turned the boat with the head down stream, and returned her to where she had started. Having now convinced his neighbors of the practicability of steam navigation, he obtained certificates signed by prominent characters who witnessed the moving of the boat propelled by steam—Among others that of Gen Horatio Gates, Col John Morrow, Capt Abraham Shepherd, John Kearsley, John Mark &c &c. The certificate if I recollect right, specified the size of the boat, the burthen in her, the distance she ran against the stream, and that it was performed by the application of steam, also the time in which the boat performed the distance of, say a quarter of a mile

It was at the time believed to be the first attempt, or experiment made to propel boats by steam, and it was as great a measure of surprise that James Rumsey should accomplish this, with his very limited means and imperfect machinery

Mr. Rumsey hoped, that after this exhibition he would by some means raise funds to put his invention into practical and beneficial use, and although there was ocular demonstration of its practicability, it was still treated as a visionary thing by many and he failed in his application. The main principles of applying steam to boats was however still retained as a secret by Mr James Rumsey, and for this he had good reasons, no patent law existing at that time by which he could secure to himself the benefits of the invention. He applied to the Legislature of Virginia, without success, after which he went to London, where, had he lived he would have accomplished all his wishes, having made considerable progress by the aid of friends and the best of mechanics there. One day in making elaborate and necessary explanations to the society, he fell senseless on the floor and soon thereafter expired!

Some years passed, before the name of Fulton became conspicuous, and it is believed by the friends of Rumsey, that Fulton's fame is bottomed on the inventions and experiments of James Rumsey whose nativity has, he deposed his posterity of the benefits bestowed on a successor.

You will pardon the inaccuracies of his statement many years have passed since the occurrences therein related took place,

Very respectfully yours, &c.

FREDERIC.