Floating battery USS Fulton

The USS Fulton was at launch the world's first steam warship and also the first steamship of the US Navy. This development heralded a new generation of warships.

Launching and design:

The plans of the Fulton went back to Robert Fulton, who also patented the design on February 11, 1809. The extraordinary thing about the Fulton was the new drive, which did not rely on sails anymore but implemented the new development of the steam drive. For this purpose, in the middle of the ship a 4.9 meter diameter paddle wheel was integrated, which was powered by steam. Thus, the ship was independent of the wind and could be used differently than sailing ships in the warfare. However, its construction as a floating battery limited its use to coastal regions and rivers only.

Launching of Demologos on October 29, 1814 in New York

The launch of the shell took place on October 29, 1814 under the name Demologos. Only at its completion, she was named after her deceased in February 1815 builder.

USS Fulton

The career of Fulton:

From July 1815, the test rides began and only in 1816, the ship was officially transferred to the US Navy. However, since before the Anglo-American War ended, the Fulton could not participate in any combat. Her only official appearance was in 1817, when President James Monroe used it for a harbor cruise in New York Harbor.

The end of the Fulton:

In 1825 the ship was used as a floating barracks of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, until on June 4, 1829 a gunpowder explosion completely destroyed the ship.

Ship data:

Sectional views of the ship

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