Lot 376

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 376
image_0 image_1 image_2
Robert Fulton Develops Working Submarine Torpedo
Robert Fulton Develops Working Submarine Torpedo
image_0 image_1 image_2
Description:

Robert Fulton Develops Working Submarine Torpedo

In the same year that Robert Fulton and Robert R. Livingston built the North River Steamboat and began operations on the Hudson River between New York City and Albany, Fulton also received attention for his invention of a torpedo that could destroy ships at anchor or in motion.

[ROBERT FULTON.] The Balance, and Columbian Repository, October 27, 1807. Hudson, New York: Harry Croswell. 8 pp. (337-344), 9.25" x 11.5". Disbound; general toning throughout; some light foxing.

Excerpts
"An important and successful experiment has been made at New-York, on the practicability of destroying a ship, by conveying gun powder under water, and exploding it beneath her bottom.
"The inventor of this method of attacking vessels of war is the ingenious Mr. R. Fulton. His apparatus consists of three principal parts; 1. A water tight chamber of brass, occupying not much more space than an octavo volume, and containing a gun lock to produce fire by collision of flint with steel. 2. A cylindrical vessel of copper, capable of containing seventy pounds of gunpowder, or any other requisite quantity. It is firmly screwed to the chamber containing the fire works; and, from the pan where the gunpowder is first kindled, there is a direct and near connection with the whole magazine contained within the copper cylinder. This part of the machinery must also be perfectly impassable by water. 3. A harpoon, or barbed dart, of about three or four feet long, to which a cord of about 70 feet in length is attached. This cord is tied fast to the cylinder, and must be strong enough to hold the apparatus without breaking when a ship is under sail, and moving through the water, is also to keep the apparatus in its proper place when carried under the bottom of a ship at anchor by a current." (p4/c2)

"Such is the plan of Mr. F. which, if fully carried into execution, bids fair to put the weakest maritime nations on a footing as respects naval strength in ports and harbours with the strongest. And to evince the feasibility of his project, he actually blew up on the 20th of July, 1807, a brig of more than 200 tons burthen, that had been purchased for the purpose. In times of uncommon peril, and of unprincipled warfare, it becomes the American people to make early preparations for their own defence. The torpedo promises to be a formidable means of annoyance to an enemy who shall enter with ships into our harbours." (p4/c3)

"It would seem that this invention would lead to a great revolution in the affairs of man, to the liberty of the seas, to free commerce, lasting peace, and a more rational understanding among nations." (p5/c2)

Historical Background
In July 1807, steamboat inventor Robert Fulton wrote a lengthy letter to President Thomas Jefferson urging the adoption of his torpedoes and explaining how they might be used. An enthusiastic Jefferson responded that he would refer the project to the Navy Department. However, American naval officers were skeptical, and Fulton lobbied leaders in Washington. In January 1809, he explained his concept in person to Jefferson and President-elect James Madison, and a year later, Fulton published a pamphlet to address his critics and influence Congress. In March 1810, Congress allocated $5,000 to fund a torpedo experiment.

In September 1810, Robert Fulton prepared a demonstration of his torpedo in the East River in New York against a large naval vessel. Commodore John Rodgers, the commander of the New York Naval station and the senior naval officer in the United States at the time, believed the torpedo posed no threat to the naval vessels. The target ship was the USS Argus, a brig under the command of Captain James Lawrence. Acting under the orders of John Rodgers, Captain Lawrence had his crew deploy a special net around the Argus to prevent any boat from coming near the hull. Despite several attempts to fire a torpedo harpoon, the test ended in dismal failure for Fulton. Rodgers also pointed out that in an actual conflict, gunners on the USS Argus would have directed musket fire at any torpedo crew that approached, killing them and sinking their boat. The observers concluded that the torpedoes were not effective.

In 1814, Fulton received the final of his nine patents. It was for a floating battery, and the government gave him a contract to build one, ultimately named Fulton I, to defend New York City. Following an inspection trip of the vessel, he and others attempted to aid one of their party who had fallen through the partially frozen ice into the Hudson River. Arriving home wet and cold, Fulton contracted pneumonia and died on February 23, 1815.

Robert Fulton (1765-1815) was born in Pennsylvania. As a teenager, he lived in Philadelphia for six years, where he painted portraits and landscapes and drew houses and machinery. After purchasing a farm for his family near Pittsburgh and settling them on it, he traveled to Europe in 1786 and lived there for the next twenty years. In England, he studied painting and experimented with mechanical inventions. In the 1790s he began working on steam power for boats and other aspects of canal engineering. In 1797, he went to Paris, where he studied French and German, and mathematics and chemistry. While there, he designed the first working muscle-powered submarine, Nautilus, and experimented with torpedoes. He also met U.S. Ambassador to France Robert R. Livingston, and the two collaborated on building a steamboat. Initial tests were positive, but the boat sank in August 1803. In 1804, Fulton returned to Great Britain and worked on naval weapons to defend against a French invasion. Two years later, he returned to the United States. In 1807, Fulton and Livingston built the first commercially successful steamboat, North River Steamboat (later known as Clermont) to operate on the Hudson River between New York City and Albany. In 1808, Fulton married Harriet Livingston (1786-1824), and they had four children. From 1811 until his death, Fulton served as a member of the Erie Canal Commission. In 1812, a new steamboat he designed, New Orleans, traveled from Pittsburgh down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to its namesake city, changing the trade and transportation network for the middle of the continent.

The Balance, and Columbian Repository (1801-1807) was established in May 1801 in Hudson, New York, thirty miles south of Albany on the Hudson River, by Ezra Sampson (1749-1823), George Chittenden (1776-1845), and Harry Croswell (1778-1858). In January 1804, Croswell became the sole owner and continued publishing the newspaper until December 1807. It was succeeded by The Balance in 1808 and The Balance, and New-York State Journal from Albany in 1809 and 1810. While editing the more moderate Federalist newspaper The Balance, and Columbian Repository, Croswell also simultaneously founded in 1802 and edited the extremely partisan Federalist newspaper The Wasp under the editorial pseudonym of "Robert Rusticoat." Croswell was convicted in 1803 of libeling President Thomas Jefferson in The Wasp. He appealed to the New York Supreme Court of Judicature, and Alexander Hamilton represented Croswell in the appeal, arguing that the freedom of the press consisted in the right to print the truth, even if it reflected on "the government, magistracy, or individuals." Although the Supreme Court narrowly sustained the conviction by refusing a new trial in a 2-2 decision, the New York legislature incorporated Hamilton's position into law in 1805 and it became part of the New York state constitution adopted in 1821. After Croswell's newspaper failed in Albany, he was jailed for debt. He then entered the ministry and was ordained in the Episcopal Church in 1814. He served as rector of Trinity Church in New Haven, Connecticut from 1815 until his death.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

August 17, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000