North River Steamboat

The 1909 replica of the North River Steamboat at anchor
The 1909 replica of the North River Steamboat (Clermont) at anchor
History
United States
NameNorth River Steamboat
OwnerRobert Livingston and Robert Fulton
BuilderCharles Browne
Completed1807
In serviceAugust 17, 1807 (1807-08-17)
Out of service1814
RenamedNorth River
Nickname(s)
  • Clermont
  • Fulton Folly[1]
FateScrapped
General characteristics
Length142 ft (43 m)
Beam18 ft (5.5 m)
Height62 ft (19 m)
Draught7 ft (2.1 m)
Installed powerSteam, 19 h.p.
PropulsionPaddle wheel and Sail
Speed5 mph

The North River Steamboat or North River, colloquially known as the Clermont, is widely regarded as the world's first vessel to demonstrate the viability of using steam propulsion for commercial water transportation.[2] Built in 1807, the North River Steamboat operated on the Hudson River – at that time often known as the North River – between New York City and Albany, New York. It was built by the wealthy investor and politician Robert Livingston and inventor and entrepreneur Robert Fulton (1765–1815).

  1. ^ Story, Joseph (1835). Miscellaneous Writings.
  2. ^ Hunter, Louis C. (1985). A History of Industrial Power in the United States, 1730–1930, Vol. 2: Steam Power. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia.