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(1736-1819) Inventor of the steam engine

James Watt

(1736-1819) Inventor of the steam engine

(1674-1748) English hymnologyst

Isaac Watts

(1674-1748) English hymnologyst

A Steam plow, 1901. The travel of the plows is at right angles to the travel of the engine.

Steam plow

A Steam plow, 1901. The travel of the plows is at right angles to the travel of the engine.

A steam runabout, a light American automobile.

Runabout

A steam runabout, a light American automobile.

Man with boiling kettle.

Man

Man with boiling kettle.

Steam locomotive.

Locomotive

Steam locomotive.

Unloading freight at a railway station.

Unloading freight

Unloading freight at a railway station.

Governor, used for regulating output of steam engines.

Governor

Governor, used for regulating output of steam engines.

An early fire engine.

Fire Engine

An early fire engine.

A Steam-Driven Gang Plow.

Gang Plow

A Steam-Driven Gang Plow.

Steaming locomotive on the railroad.

Train

Steaming locomotive on the railroad.

"Desperate engagement, april 24th, 1862, between the United States gunboat "Varuna," Commander Boggs, and the Confederate steam ram "J. C. Breckinridge," and the gunboat "Governor Moore." Captain Boggs of the "Varuna," finding that the Confederate ram "J. C. Breckinridge" was about to run into him, put the vessel in such a position that in being damaged he could repay it with interest. On came the ram, all clad with iron about the bow, and hit the "Varuna" in the port waist, cutting and crushing in her side. she dropped alongside and cleared out to butt again. She hit the "Varuna" a second time, and while in a sinking condition the "Varuna" poured her 8-inch shells into her so fast that the Confederate was set on fire and driven on shore." — Frank Leslie, 1896

Gunboat collision

"Desperate engagement, april 24th, 1862, between the United States gunboat "Varuna," Commander Boggs,…

"Landing of Federal troops at Parkersburg, Western Virginia. Parkersburg, Va., in 1861 was a thriving post village on the Ohio River, situated at the mouth of the Little Kanawha River, and altogether presented a most picturesque appearance, the houses being very neatly built and well placed. It is about one hundred miles from Wheeling and two hundred and fifty-eight miles from Richmond in a direct W.N.W. line. It contained a courthouse, churches of several denominations, a bank, a printing office and several steam mills. Its population was nearly four thousand. It has excellent turnpike roads to Staunton and Winchester and the Northwestern branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad terminates here. Our view represents the arrival of Federal troops previous to the total clearance of the Kanawha Valley from the presence of Wise and his Confederate troops." —Leslie, 1896

Landing at Parkersburg

"Landing of Federal troops at Parkersburg, Western Virginia. Parkersburg, Va., in 1861 was a thriving…

"Capture of the United States mail steamer <em>Ariel</em>, Captain Jones, off the east end of Cuba, by the pirate <em>Alabama</em> ('290'), Captain Semmes, December 7th, 1862. Report of the first officer of the <em>Ariel</em>: 'On the 7th of December, at 1:30 P.M., when rounding Cape Maysi, the eastern point of Cuba, we saw a vessel about four miles to the westward, close under the high land, bark-rigged and under canvas. As there was nothing in her appearance indicating her to be a steamer, her smokepipe being down, no suspicions were aroused until in a short time we saw she had furled her sails, raised her smokestack, and was rapidly nearing us under steam, the American flag flying at her peak. Such was her speed in comparison to ours that in about half an hour she had come up within half a mile of us, when she fired a lee gun, hauled down the American ensign and ran up the Confederate flag. No attention was paid to the summons, and the <em>Ariel</em> was pushed to her utmost speed. She then sailed across our wake, took a position on our port quarter, about four hundred yards distant, and fired two guns almost simultaneously, one shot passing over the hurricane deck, and the other hitting the foremast and cutting it half away. A body of United States marines, consisting of 126 men, passengers on board the <em>Ariel</em>, had been drawn up and armed, but the officers in command deemed it worse than folly to resist, as we could plainly see they were training a full broadside to bear upon us, and Captain Jones gave orders to stop the ship and haul down the ensign.'"— Frank Leslie, 1896

Ariel

"Capture of the United States mail steamer Ariel, Captain Jones, off the east end of Cuba,…

"Confederate rams from Charleston Harbor attacking the Federal blockading squadron, January 31st, 1863. Official report of Rear Admiral Dupont: 'About four o'clock on the morning of the 31st of January, during the obscurity of a thick haze, two ironclad gunboats came out of Charleston by the main ship channel, unperceived by the squadron, and commenced a raid upon the blockading fleet. The <em>Mercedita</em> was the first vessel attacked. Captain Stellwagen had gone to his room for a short time, leaving Lieutenant Commanding Abbott on deck, when one of the ironclads suddenly appeared. Her approach was concealed by the haze and mist of the atmosphere. The vessel was immediately hailed and an order given to fire; but the ironclad being close aboard, and lying low in the water, no guns could be brought to bear. A heavy rifle shell was fired from the enemy, which entered the starboard side of the <em>Mercedita</em>, passed through her condenser, the steam drum of her port boiler, and exploded against her port side, blowing a hole in its exit some four or give feet square, killing the gunner, and, by the escape of steam, a number of the men, and rendering her motive power apparently useless. Unable to use his guns, and being at the mercy of the enemy, which was lying alongside on his starboard quarter, all further resistance was deemed hopeless by Captain Stellwagen, and he surrendered.'"&mdash; Frank Leslie, 1896

Confederate rams

"Confederate rams from Charleston Harbor attacking the Federal blockading squadron, January 31st, 1863.…

"Calenders heated internally by steam, for spreading India Rubber into sheets or upon cloth, called the 'Chaffee Machine.'"—E. Benjamin Andrews 1895

Chaffee Machine

"Calenders heated internally by steam, for spreading India Rubber into sheets or upon cloth, called…

Long Point and vicinity. This little sketch was taken from the steam-boat , near the south end of Long Island, which appears in the foreground. Long Point is seen in the center, and on the right are Dunham's Bay and the northern extremity of the French Mountain. The highest peak on the left is Deer Pasture, or Buck Mountain.

Long Point

Long Point and vicinity. This little sketch was taken from the steam-boat , near the south end of Long…

Chimney Point Landing. This view is taken from the green in front of the inn at Chimney Point, looking west-southwest. The first land seen across the lake is Crown Point, with the remaining barracks and other works of the fortress, and the dwellings and outhouses of Mr. Baker, and a resident farmer. Beyond the point is Bulwaggy Bay, a broad, deep estuary much wider than the lake at Chimney Point. Beyond the bay, and rising from its western shore, is a Bulwaggy mountain, varying in perpendicular height from four to nine hundred feet, and distant from the fort between one and two miles. A little to the right of the larger tree on the shore is the site of Fort St. Frederic, and at the edge of the circle on the left, along the same shore, is the locality of the <em>Grenadiers' Battery.</em> The wharf and bridge in the foreground form the steam-boat and ferry landing at Chimney Point.

Chimney Point

Chimney Point Landing. This view is taken from the green in front of the inn at Chimney Point, looking…

Scene of Arnold's naval battle. This sketch was made from the pilot's room of the steam-boat just after leaving Port Jackson. On the left is a point of the main land, and on the right is seen a portion of Valcour's Island. The high ground in the extreme distance, on the left, is Cumberland Head, and that dimly seen in the center of the picture is the Vermont store.

Arnold's Battle

Scene of Arnold's naval battle. This sketch was made from the pilot's room of the steam-boat just after…

Isle Aux Noix, in the Sorel. The sketch was made from the pilot's room of the steam-boat, about half a mile above the island, looking east-northeast. The landing is a little beyond the trees on the right, where sentinels are stationed. The island is small, and wholly occupied by the military works. A broad fen extends some distance from the northern side, and the wild ducks that gather there afford fine amusement for sportsment during the hunting season.

Isle Aux Noix

Isle Aux Noix, in the Sorel. The sketch was made from the pilot's room of the steam-boat, about half…

Wind-mill Point. This view was sketched from the steam-boat, when a little below the wind-mill, looking west-north-west. The mill is a strong stone structure, and answered a very good purpose for a fort or block-house. Its narrow windows were used by the patriots as loop-holes for their muskets during the action.

Wind-Mill Point

Wind-mill Point. This view was sketched from the steam-boat, when a little below the wind-mill, looking…

Distant view of Fort Niagra. This view is from the west side of the Niagra River, near the light-house. The fort is on the east side (right side of the picture), at the mouth of the river. The steam-boat seen in the distance is out on Lake Ontario.

Fort Niagra

Distant view of Fort Niagra. This view is from the west side of the Niagra River, near the light-house.…

"View at the Cherokee Ford. This view is from the east bank of the river. Toward the extreme right is seen the dam, made to supply water-power for the iron-works delineated toward the left of the picture. The fording-place, which crosses a small island in the middle of the steam, is indicated by the slight fall toward the left."&mdash;Lossing, 1851

Cherokee Ford

"View at the Cherokee Ford. This view is from the east bank of the river. Toward the extreme right is…

"An instrument illustrating the expansive force of steam generated in a closed vessel, and escaping through a narrow aperture, said to have been invented by Hero of Alexandria in the second century B.C. "-Whitney, 1902

Aeolipile

"An instrument illustrating the expansive force of steam generated in a closed vessel, and escaping…

"A motor employing the elastic force of air expanded by heat, or air compressed by means of another and separate motor, which is generally a steam engine."-Whitney, 1902

Air-engine

"A motor employing the elastic force of air expanded by heat, or air compressed by means of another…

"A Crane is a machine for lifting weights, worked either by hand or by steam, or by hydraulic power. The most common hand form consisting of an upright revolving post and projecting arm, the jib with a fixed pulley at its extremity. The lifting chain or rope is secured to the weight, passes over the fixed pulley, and then round a drum or cylinder; suitable toothed-wheel gearing worked by a handle revolves this drum, and thus winds up or unwinds the rope or chain, and so raises or lowers the weight."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Steam Crane

"A Crane is a machine for lifting weights, worked either by hand or by steam, or by hydraulic power.…

"A Fire Engine is a machine employed for throwing a jet of water for the purpose of extinguishing fires. The more recently constructed fire engines include contrivances for preventing the entrance of mud and gravel. They are usually drawn by two horses, though smaller engines are made to be drawn by hand or by one horse, while steam-propelled engines are in use in some cities."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Steam Fire Engine

"A Fire Engine is a machine employed for throwing a jet of water for the purpose of extinguishing fires.…

"Turbine is, in mechanics, a term formerly confined to horizontal water wheels, the revolution of which is due to the pressure derived from falling water, but now applied generally to any wheel driven by water escaping through small orifices subject to such pressure. The turbine was invented by Fourneyron in 1823, and the first one was made in 1827. Air and steam turbines are also in use, air and steam being used instead of water to drive the impulse wheel."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Pelton Wheel Turbine

"Turbine is, in mechanics, a term formerly confined to horizontal water wheels, the revolution of which…

"Log is an apparatus for ascertaining the rate of a ship's motion. In a steam engine, a tabulated summary of the performance of the engines and boilers, and of the consumption of coals, tallow, oil, and other engineers' stores on board a steam vessel."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Log and Reel

"Log is an apparatus for ascertaining the rate of a ship's motion. In a steam engine, a tabulated summary…

"Newcomen's Atmospheric Steam-Engine. A, A, working-beam; B, boiler from which steam is admitted through the steam-cock; c, to the cylinder C; F, rod, serving to lift a small pump; i, injection-cock; P, piston; S, blow-valve, or snifting-valve; T, tank; W, weights."-Whitney, 1902.

Steam Engine

"Newcomen's Atmospheric Steam-Engine. A, A, working-beam; B, boiler from which steam is admitted through…

"Three locomotives were imported from England in 1829, and the first trial in America took place Aug. 8, 1829, at Honesdale, Pa. The first railway constructed to be worked by locomotives was the South Carolina railroad (1826&ndash;1830), though trials of an experimental locomotive had been made before on the Baltimaore and Ohio railroad, which continued to be worked by horsepower till 1832. "&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

American Locomotive

"Three locomotives were imported from England in 1829, and the first trial in America took place Aug.…

"Three locomotives were imported from England in 1829, and the first trial in America took place Aug. 8, 1829, at Honesdale, Pa. The first railway constructed to be worked by locomotives was the South Carolina railroad (1826&ndash;1830), though trials of an experimental locomotive had been made before on the Baltimaore and Ohio railroad, which continued to be worked by horsepower till 1832. "&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Early Locomotive

"Three locomotives were imported from England in 1829, and the first trial in America took place Aug.…

Robert Fulton's invention of the steam-boat.

Fulton's Steamer

Robert Fulton's invention of the steam-boat.

"A steamboat is a boat or vessel propelled by steam acting either on paddles or on a screw. The term especially belongs to steam river craft; ocean-going craft being called steamers, steamships, etc. The first steam-boat was built by Denis Papin, who navigated it down the Fulda as long ago as 1707. Unfortunately this pioneer craft was destroyed by jealous sailors, and even the very memory of it was lost for three-quarters of a century."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Steamboat of 1736

"A steamboat is a boat or vessel propelled by steam acting either on paddles or on a screw. The term…

"A steamboat is a boat or vessel propelled by steam acting either on paddles or on a screw. The term especially belongs to steam river craft; ocean-going craft being called steamers, steamships, etc."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

American River Steamboat

"A steamboat is a boat or vessel propelled by steam acting either on paddles or on a screw. The term…

"A steamboat is a boat or vessel propelled by steam acting either on paddles or on a screw. The term especially belongs to steam river craft; ocean-going craft being called steamers, steamships, etc."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Modern Sound Propeller

"A steamboat is a boat or vessel propelled by steam acting either on paddles or on a screw. The term…

"A steamboat is a boat or vessel propelled by steam acting either on paddles or on a screw. The term especially belongs to steam river craft; ocean-going craft being called steamers, steamships, etc."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Modern Ocean Steamship

"A steamboat is a boat or vessel propelled by steam acting either on paddles or on a screw. The term…

Fulton's steamboat, the <em>Clermont.</em>

Steamboat

Fulton's steamboat, the Clermont.

An instrument for indicating the pressure of the steam in a boiler.

Steam-gauge

An instrument for indicating the pressure of the steam in a boiler.

A wheel that communicates motion; the wheel of a locomotive, which, adhering to the track, communicates the power of the steam-engine to the vehicle.

Driving-wheel

A wheel that communicates motion; the wheel of a locomotive, which, adhering to the track, communicates…

A contrivance connected with mills, steam-engines, or other machinery, for maintaining uniform velocity with a varying resistance.

Governor

A contrivance connected with mills, steam-engines, or other machinery, for maintaining uniform velocity…

The screw, or spiral-bladed wheel, used in the propulsion of steam-vessels.

Screw-propeller

The screw, or spiral-bladed wheel, used in the propulsion of steam-vessels.

"The steam engine is a powerful device for utilizing the energy involved in the elasticity and expansive force of steam as a motive power. It is a real heat-engine, transforming heat into mechanical energy." &mdash; Avery, 1895

Steam engine

"The steam engine is a powerful device for utilizing the energy involved in the elasticity and expansive…

"A small enclosure, to prevent the escape of steam, etc., at a joint in machinery. &mdash; Williams, 1889

Stuffing-box

"A small enclosure, to prevent the escape of steam, etc., at a joint in machinery. — Williams,…

"Hotbeds may be heated by means of either steam or hot water. They can be piped from the heater in a dwelling-house or greenhouse." &mdash; Baily, 1898

Pipe-heated hotbed

"Hotbeds may be heated by means of either steam or hot water. They can be piped from the heater in a…

A beam or rod stretching across the top of something; specifically, the bar at the end of a piston rod of a steam engine, which slides on ways or guides fixed to the bed or frame of the engine.

Crosshead

A beam or rod stretching across the top of something; specifically, the bar at the end of a piston rod…

A vessel propelled by the agency of steam, which agent acts either on a screw or on paddles. Inventors began to give attention to improvements in navigation as soon as machines were constructed to successfully employ steam as a propelling agency.

Steamboat

A vessel propelled by the agency of steam, which agent acts either on a screw or on paddles. Inventors…

A machine for utilizing the elastic force of steam as a motive power, and now constructed in a variety of forms. The power of heat to do work when combined with other elements in the form of steam was known to some extent to the modern.

Steam Engine

A machine for utilizing the elastic force of steam as a motive power, and now constructed in a variety…

This illustration shows a mixture of gases passing over a headed pumice to forming steam.

Heated Pumice

This illustration shows a mixture of gases passing over a headed pumice to forming steam.

The inventor of the first steam ship.

Robert Fulton

The inventor of the first steam ship.

A vacuum steam heating system from the late 19th century.

Heating System

A vacuum steam heating system from the late 19th century.

"In 1854, Mr. Fowler exhibited his patent steam-draining apparatus at the Lincoln meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England; and from this time may be dated the practical history of cultivation of the land byy steam; for the idea that such an apparatus could be wrought advantageously in other field-operations entered the mind of a practical farmer, Mr. Smith of Woolston, near Bletchley; and under the direction of Mr. Fowler, he got construced an apparatus with modifications." &mdash; Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Steam-engine

"In 1854, Mr. Fowler exhibited his patent steam-draining apparatus at the Lincoln meeting of the Royal…

"A massive square framework of wood, mounted on six sarp disc wheels, each about two feet in diameter, which cut deep into the ground, and on the lightest land they can hold as effectually to resist the pull of the rope which is passed around the sheave beneath." &mdash; Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Anchor

"A massive square framework of wood, mounted on six sarp disc wheels, each about two feet in diameter,…

"A framework of iron, balanced upon two large wheels. To each side of this framework there are attached four plough-bodies and coulters, so that four furrows are cut at one 'bout,' and the headland on which the anchor is stationed being reached, the end of the beam that was out of the ground is depressed, and the four plough-bodies that were out of the ground, and which point in the opposite direction, are inserted in the soil, and turn up the furrows on the way back to the engine." &mdash; Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Plough

"A framework of iron, balanced upon two large wheels. To each side of this framework there are attached…

"Forler's Anchor, Engine, and Plough at work." &mdash; Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Inventions

"Forler's Anchor, Engine, and Plough at work." — Chambers, 1881

"The vacuum-pan is in universal use in all European sugar-refineries, and in all well-provided sugar-plantations. It is generally made of copper, of a spherical form, and from six to nine feet in diameter. The bottom is double, leaving a space of an inch or two for the admission of steam between the two bottoms, and there is generally a long coiled copper pipe of three or four inches diameter above the inner bottom, so as to still further increase the amount of heating surface." — Chambers, 1881

Vacuum-pan

"The vacuum-pan is in universal use in all European sugar-refineries, and in all well-provided sugar-plantations.…

"Fowlers Steam-Plough as at work." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Fowler's Steam-Plough

"Fowlers Steam-Plough as at work." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Smith's Steam Cultivator as at work." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Steam Cultivator

"Smith's Steam Cultivator as at work." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

A portable, external, combustion heat engine that converts steam in to mechanical work.

Portable Steam-Engine

A portable, external, combustion heat engine that converts steam in to mechanical work.

"A form of dough-making machine in common use. It consists of a trough or box, the lower portion of which is semi-cylindrical, hung on a spindle, with a series of iron crossbars revolving inside. It is made to be worked by either hand or steam-power, and of various sizes, as required by bakers. In this machine the whole of the operations connected with setting the sponge, breaking the sponge, and mixing the dough, are performed. The gearing is arranged to give a fast motion for setting the sponge, and a slow motion towards the close of the dough making, when it is desireable to draw out the mass in order to give it a "skin," or smooth superficial texture." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Kneading Machine

"A form of dough-making machine in common use. It consists of a trough or box, the lower portion of…