t of
"navigating boats by means of fire and water." Our Minister to Great
Britain, Robert R. Livingstone, becoming greatly interested in steam
navigation, and especially in Fulton's ideas in the matter, agreed to
furnish the necessary funds to bring to success the enterprise.
Accordingly, they ordered an engine of Watt & Boulton, "which would
propel a large boat," and the engine arrived in America during the year
1806. Fulton at once set to work to build a boat to fit the machinery,
and in 1807 the "Clermont" was ready for trial.

The reader will not be surprised at the statement of an eye-witness:
"When it was announced in the New York papers that the boat would start
from Cortlandt street at 6:30 a. m., on the 4th of August, and take
passengers to Albany, there was a broad smile on every face as the
inquiry was made if any one would be fool enough to go?" One friend was
heard to accost another in the street with: "John, will thee risk thy
life in such a concern? I tell thee she is the most fearful wild fowl
living, and thy father should restrain thee." When the eventful morning
came, Friday August 4th, 1807, the wharves, piers, housetops, and every
available elevation was crowded with spectators. All the machinery was
uncovered and exposed to view. The periphery of the balance wheels of
cast iron, some four or more inches square, ran just clear of the water.
There were no outside guards, the balance wheels being supported by
their respective shafts, which projected over the sides of the boat. The
forward part was covered by a deck which afforded shelter for her hands.
The after-part was fitted up in a rough manner for passengers. The
entrance into the cabin was from the stern in front of the steersman,
who worked a tiller as in an ordinary sloop.

Black smoke issued from the chimney; steam issued from every ill-fitted
valve and crevice of the engine. Fulton himself was there. His
remarkably clear and sharp voice was heard high above the hum of the
multitude and the noise of the engine, his step was confident and
decided; he heeded not the fearfulness, doubts or sarcasm of those by
whom he was surrounded. The whole scene combined had in it an
individuality, as well as an interest, which comes but once, and is
remembered a lifetime. Everything being ready the engine was set in
motion, and the boat moved steadily but slowly from the wharf. As she
turned up the river and was fairly under way, there arose such a huzza
as