"The U.S.S. Fulton the First" Topic
3 Posts
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 Editor in Chief Bill   | 29 Oct 2019 5:29 p.m. PST |
In January, 1814, the Commission for the Defense of New York approved Robert Fulton's plans for a "steam battery" which, under the name of "Fulton the First" was destined to be the world's first steam driven war vessel. The commission pledged $120,000 USD for the enterprise. The financial burden was later assumed by Congress and the vessel thus, before completion, became a part of the American Navy and David Porter of Essex fame was assigned to command her… link |
| rustymusket | 30 Oct 2019 6:58 a.m. PST |
Interesting. Thanks for posting. |
| SBminisguy | 30 Oct 2019 10:34 a.m. PST |
The ship was the first steam warship, designed for harbor and coastal defense. The original name was "USS Demologos." It was a center-line steam paddle wheeler with rudders both fore and aft, so it could turn tightly and sail any direction. It had up to 10 feet of wooden armor protecting its gun deck, and mounted x30 32lb guns. It was also fitted for x2 100lb "Columbiads" which were guns fitted fore and aft just under the waterline, only fired when essentially almost touching a target to smash a hole in the target's hull. The ship also had a hot-shot locker attached to the steam boiler's fire box so it could heat cannon balls up before firing them, giving a chance of fire starting on the target. And it could seal the hatches from the inside and flood the upper deck with hot steam to deter boarders. It was an innovative mobile gun battery, the first steam warship -- brought low by a clumsy sailor who dropped a lantern that torched the whole ship.
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