THE ROMANCE OF INVENTION AND DISCOVERY

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 17

THE ROMANCE OF INVENTION AND DISCOVERY

I. Henry Bell, a Scottish millwright, may truly be said to have been the " Father of the British steamship,” although Miller and Symington had experimented with crude steamboats before Bell built his “ Comet.” Early in the last century Fulton (who introduced steam vessels into America) visited Scotland. Bell and he became friends, and together the two men went to see Symington’s boat. In our mind’s eye we fancy we see the two enthusiasts hurrying forward to get the first glimpse of the wonderful steamboat.

By

GEORGE E. HOPCROFT.

(Special for the Otago Witness.)

2 After that memorable visit, Bell set eagerly to work, and constructed model after model before he actually built his famous Comet. Poor Bell! How lie worked ; and what grave and anxious conversations were carried on with loyal shipbuilders before “ the Comet was actually begun! At last Bell produced a model that satisfied him.

lI.—HENRY BELL AND HIS “COMET.”

3 The Comet was launched in 1811, with engines made by John Robertson, and all through 1812 she plied on the Clyde between Glasgow and Helensburgh. At first, tourists were afraid to trust this ‘‘ fiery monster,” but soon people realised that steam must triumph, and many steamers were built on the Clyde. To this day Clydebuilt steamers have a reputation second to none.

4 For a brief period Bell prospered, but the loss of two of his steamers crippled him, and he sank into poverty. Poor Bell! He lived to see sea-going steamers enter the Clyde, but they were owned by richer men than he. In his last days, when truly it was towards sunset with him, he must have pondered gloomily on the mutability of human affairs.