First Transatlantic steamboatIn 1819, the first American-built steam-propelled vessel to cross the Altantic, the Savannah, left from Savannah, Ga.. The 350-ton wooden boat, was fully rigged with sails using mostly wind power for the trip. Steam power was used for only 80 hours, from an inclined direct-acting low-pressure steam engine. The Atlantic crossing ended at Liverpool on 20 June 1819. The vessel had been originally launched on 22 Aug 1818, with a sea trial from New York City to Savannah on 28 Mar 1819. Although it had 32 state rooms, it sailed without passengers, for none dared to make the trip. The Savannah was not a commercial success as a steam shup, and was converted to a fulltime sailing ship after her return voyage, until wrecked off Long Island in 1821. No other American owned steamship crossed the Atlantic for 30 years. |