A first book in American history with European beginnings . fered to furnish the money necessary. When the boat was finished it was launched on theRiver Fulton was well pleased; but just as the dayof its trial trip was at hand, the boat broke in two andsank. The machinery had proved too heavy for so lighta framework. A stronger one was made; but now theengine was not powerful enough to move the boat withany speed. Still Fulton was not discouraged. In 1806 he andMr. Livingston went to New York, determined to try oncemore. The building of their boat was soon under way, andalmost every da
A first book in American history with European beginnings . fered to furnish the money necessary. When the boat was finished it was launched on theRiver Fulton was well pleased; but just as the dayof its trial trip was at hand, the boat broke in two andsank. The machinery had proved too heavy for so lighta framework. A stronger one was made; but now theengine was not powerful enough to move the boat withany speed. Still Fulton was not discouraged. In 1806 he andMr. Livingston went to New York, determined to try oncemore. The building of their boat was soon under way, andalmost every day saw Fulton down at the shipyards direct- 287 A FIRST BOOK IN AMERICAN HISTORY ing just how it should be done. He named the boat theClermont, which was the name of Mr. Livingstons homeon the Hudson. Others called it Fultons soabsurd did it seem even to try to make steam run a of sheer curiosity, men visited the shipyards to lookat Fultons Folly; and they spoke of it with scorn andridicule. It was August, 1807, when the Clermont was The Clermont. Her owners invited their friends to go on a trip up theHudson. So Fulton really thought that boat would go! It wastoo ridiculous. Great crowds gathered to see the fun ofthe start, which they felt would be no start at all. Eventhe invited guests stepped to the Clermonts deck withgrave misgivings. No one enjoys being in an absurdposition, and this certainly looked like one. The signal was given. The side wheels began to churnthe water, and—wonder of wonders!—the Clermont movedsteadily away from the dock. A great cheer rose from the amazed crowd on the WHITNEY AND FULTON But it died again as quickly as it rose. The boat hadstopped. Now indeed the guests on board wished them-selves out of their predicament. Why had they come?They knew all the time just how it would be. Fulton frankly admitted that he did not know whatwas wrong. But he asked his passengers to give him halfan hour in which to set things
Size: 1994px × 1253px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidfirstbookina, bookyear1921
