Although Robert Fulton is often credited with creating the first successful steamboat, he was not the first to design and build one.
That distinction goes to John Fitch, who had designed and built America’s first steamboat two decades prior to Fulton’s success.
Despite its lack of commercial viability, Fitch’s invention inspired many others to explore the potential of steam power on waterways.
Before Fitch’s steamboat came into existence, Robert Fulton was a painter who created early works such as a portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
His interests later shifted towards science and engineering.
During his time in Paris, he met America’s Minister to France, Robert Livingston, in 1801.
Livingston had made his mark during the American Revolution and would go on to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase Treaty with fellow diplomat James Monroe.
As Fulton pursued his engineering interests, a young ship captain named Moses Rogers had a vision for revolutionizing sea travel through steam power.
Growing up in New London, Connecticut – a bustling maritime hub – Rogers was familiar with the coastline and rivers of the northeast, working them as a ship captain.
He believed that a steamship could make history by completing the first transatlantic crossing.
Rogers enlisted his cousin Stevens Rogers to help him build the perfect steamship for the voyage.
The ship was outfitted with luxurious accommodations such as two-berth staterooms, marble floors, rosewood and mahogany paneling, tapestries, and full-length mirrors – a far cry from the rough-and-tumble conditions that sailors were accustomed to aboard traditional ships.
With the help of Scarbrough and other investors, Moses and Stevens worked tirelessly to prepare their steamship, dubbed the SS Savannah, for its historic journey.
A few crew members initially left the ship due to concerns about its reliability, but eventually, enough seaworthy sailors were found to join the voyage.
While preparations were underway for the launch of the SS Savannah, James Monroe – then the President – visited the opulent Scarbrough House in Savannah, Georgia.
The house was designed by British architect William Jay in Greek Revival architecture, and its completion coincided with the ship’s launch.
On May 22, 1819, the SS Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia, becoming the first steamship to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Its destination was Liverpool, England.
Along the way, a Captain Livingston aboard the schooner Contract spotted the Savannah and initially believed it was on fire due to the smoke emanating from its stack.
However, he soon realized that the ship was powered by steam, a technology that would eventually displace sail power in the shipping industry.
Upon reaching Europe, the SS Savannah continued its voyage to Elsinore, Denmark, and then to Stockholm on August 22, where it was toured by King Karl XIV Johan of Sweden and other royal dignitaries.
The ship’s captain, Moses Rogers, declined an offer of $100,000 worth of goods for the vessel, as he believed in its potential and the innovation it represented.
The Scarbrough House still stands today as the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah, Georgia.
The legacy of Moses, Stevens, and Scarbrough endures as pioneers in steam power and sea travel.
The SS Savannah remains a symbol of American ingenuity and ambition in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.