What follows is a sort of chronology of the Steamboat venture of John Fitch.  Other sources are available that provide more detail on the various periods of his venture.

• In April of 1785, he conceived the idea of a steamboat.

• In the summer of 1785, Fitch ran propulsion experiments on a lake, in Southampton Township, Bucks County.

• In September of 1785, he showed his plans and a small model steamboat to the American Philosophical Society.  Though he received no support, his model remains there.

• April of 1786, John Fitch moves from Warminster, Bucks County to Philadelphia and forms the Steamboat Company.

• August of 1787, John Fitch's steamboat the "Perseverance" sailed on the Delaware River by Philadelphia at 4 miles an hour, using a rack of paddles over each side. He invited Constitutional Convention delegates to take a ride.  Several, including David Rittenhouse, accepted his offer.

• October of 1788, Fitch's redesigned steamboat makes several trips to Burlington, New Jersey.

• June 15, 1790, Fitch inaugurated steamboat service between Philadelphia and Trenton.  Total miles covered that summer are estimated to be nearly 3000.

• April of 1791, Jefferson awards simultaneous steamboat design patents to both Fitch and Rumsey.

• March 16th, 1791, Fitch signs an agreement with Aaron Vail to build steamboats in France.

• Summer of 1792, continues to work on the steamboat in Philadelphia, and receives a French patent for his steam boat.

• February 14, 1793, Fitch sailed to France to build a steamboat with Aaron Vail.  The horror of the French Revolution drove him away.  He left drawings behind.

• February of 1793, He leaves for England where he indentured himself for passage back to America.

• Spring of 1794, Fitch returns to America.

• In 1797, Fitch is said to have built a test steam engine that drives side paddlewheels, while traveling on submerged tracks in water.

For more information, please contact:

The John Fitch Steamboat Museum, Inc.

Southeast corner of Street and Newtown Roads

P.O. Box 2042, Warminster, PA 18974

215-675-4698

efleisch@aol.com

 Back to Top