NICHOLAS ROOSEVELT'S 1811 STEAMBOAT NEW ORLEANS
extracts from History of American Steam Navigation by John H. Morrison (1903)
Chapter IV
WESTERN RIVERS

The first steamboat to ply upon the western rivers was the "New Orleans," built at Pittsburgh, Pa., by Livingston & Fulton, under the supervision of Nicholas J. Roosevelt, in 1811, who had been associated with Livingston and Stevens in their experiments with steam navigation on the Hudson River, prior to Livingston being appointed Minister of France, in 1800. The plans for this vessel were decided on in New York by Robert Fulton. It was 116 feet long by 20 feet beam and about 7 feet depth of hold, and fitted with a low-pressure engine of 34-inch cylinder, and propelled by side wheels, with the boiler in the hold of the vessel. This vessel was built on the bank of the Monongahela River, close by a small creek and under what was known as Boyd's Hill, on the site occupied by the Pittsburgh and Connellsville R.R. depot, and in close proximity to Beelen's foundry. A shipbuilder, as well as the mechanics required to erect the machinery, were brought from New York, but the ship carpenters who were accustomed to building barges were obtained at Pittsburgh. The timber for the vessel was procured by sending men into the forests to cut it, then transporting it to the Monongahela River and rafting it down to the shipyard. White pine was used for planking, as the only material that could be obtained without delay. In this vessel there were two cabins, one forward and one aft, the former a large one for men, and the latter for women, which was fitted with four berths and comfortably furnished. The vessel was also fitted with two masts and sails, as Fulton believed at this time that sails were occasionally useful. This vessel cost about $38,000.

In the latter part of September, 1811, the "New Orleans," after a short experimental trip up the Monongahela River, commenced her voyage [footnote: The First Steamboat Voyage on the Western Waters, by J.H.B. Latrobe] with Nicholas J. Roosevelt and his wife as the only passengers. There was a captain, an engineer named Baker, Andrew Jack the pilot, six hands, two female servants, a man waiter, a cook, and an immense Newfoundland dog named "Tiger." Thus equipped, the "New Orleans" began the voyage that changed the relations of the West, which may almost be said to have changed its destiny. When it became known that Mrs. Roosevelt intended to accompany her husband on the voyage, the numerous friends she had made in Pittsburgh endeavored to persuade her from what was regarded as utter folly, if not absolute madness, and her husband was told that he ha no right to peril his wife's life, however reckless he might be of his own.

It should be here stated, that about June 1809, Roosevelt started from Pittsburgh, accompanied by his wife, for the purpose of making investigations regarding the currents of the rivers to be navigated by steam vessels, in a flat boat he had built at Pittsburgh, and that was manned by an experienced crew and a pilot, three hands and a cook. It was then a question whether steam could be employed in navigating the western rivers, which its success on the Hudson River was not regarded as having entirely solved. He stopped at Cincinnati, Louisville and Natchez, which were then the only places of any size, and that very small. Furnished with letters of introduction to the leading citizens he stated his purpose in visiting the West, but from none did he receive any encouragement, as they were incredulous of steam being able to resist the strong and whirling currents of the western rivers. He gauged them; he measured their velocity at different seasons, and obtained all the statistical information within his reach, and formed a judgment with respect to the future development of the country west of the Alleghanies that has since been amply corroborated. Not only did he do this, but finding coal on the banks of the Ohio, he purchased and opened mines of the material, and so confident was he of the success of the project on hand, that he caused supplies of the fuel to be heaped upon the shore in anticipation of the wants of a steamboat whose keel was yet to be laid. He arrived in New Orleans in December, 1809, and immediately sailed for New York, where he arrived in January, 1810. His report, bearing on his face the evidence of the thoroughness of his examinations, impressed Fulton and Livingston with his own convictions, and in the spring of that year he returned to Pittsburgh to superintend the construction of the "New Orleans."

It has been stated by some writers that it was probable that the engine for this vessel was one of Boulton & Watt's construction, but this was not so. Shops were erected for the building of parts of the machinery, and as Roosevelt had built steam engines at his works at Belleville on the Passaic River, New Jersey, where all the work in the experiments by Livingston, Stevens and himself were done from 1797 to 1799, the construction of the vessel was in the hands of one who had some experience in the construction of steam engines. Besides, Robert Fulton had built at New York the engines for the "Raritan," the "Car of Neptune," and the "Paragon," prior to the engine for the New Orleans" being constructed. There seems to be no doubt in the least that the larger part of the machinery for this vessel was built at New York, sent out in parts and put together on board the vessel. Mechanics were sent from the East for its erection on board, and some of these men remained in the West, and grew up with the country. Shops were erected and tools sent from the East at a later date for the construction of the engines of their other vessels. It was, no doubt, of the same type of engine as Fulton had built for his Hudson River boats.

The incidents of the trip from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, with the effects of the earthquake on the river while they wee on the way after leaving Louisville, form a very romantic tale as told by a relative of Mr. Roosevelt.

"The people of Pittsburgh turned out in mass and lined the banks of the Monongahela to witness the departure of the steamboat, and shout after shout rent the air, and handkerchiefs were waved, and hats thrown up by way of "Godspeed" to the voyagers as the anchor was raised, and heading up stream for a short distance a wide circuit brought the "New Orleans" on her proper course, and steam and current aiding, she disappeared behind the first headlands on the right bank of the Ohio.

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[material here omitted from this copy, as it was copied directly from the J.H.B. Latrobe article "The First Steamboat Voyage on the Western Waters." KWD]

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It is known that the "New Orleans" arrived at the city of that name about January 12th, 1812, and about a week later was placed on the route between New Orleans and Natchez, for passengers and freight, which service she continued to perform until July 14th, 1814, when, while lying a few miles above Baton Rouge one night, and the water in the river having fallen, it was found in the morning, upon preparing to resume her trip up the river to Natchez, that she was lodged on a stump, and while working to free her from the perilous situation, a leak was sprung, sinking her in a short time: no lives were lost. Her speed was about three miles per hour against the current of the river.


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