EARLY STEAMBOATS
The first patent relating to a steamboat is that of Jonathan Hulls, m 1786. He placed a paddle-wheel on beams projecting over the stern, and it was turned by an atmospheric steam-engine, acting in conjunction with a counterpoise weight upon a system of ropes and grooved wheels His mode of obtaining a rotary motion was new, and would enable a steamboat to be moved through water; but it was not practically useful.
Had Hulls discovered the requisite application of the crank, the steamengine, in all probability, would have been then applied not only to propel boats, but to various other useful purposes. Among other experiments of about this period was M. Genevois, a pastor of Berne, who invented a steam-pro-peller, formed like the foot of a duck, to expand and present a large surface to the water when moved against it, and to close it into a small campass when moved in an opposite direction.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19431018.2.31
Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 6, 18 October 1943, Page 3
Word Count
157EARLY STEAMBOATS Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 6, 18 October 1943, Page 3
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