Overview:
The SS Savannah, launched in 1818, made history as the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The United States National Museum previously showcased a model of the Savannah that was based on a lithograph and limited information available at the time. However, the model proved inaccurate when compared to contemporary descriptions and records. This ebook details the research conducted to create a more authentic model of the Savannah, combining information from the ship’s logbook, customhouse descriptions, a French report on American steam vessels, and Russian newspaper accounts of the Savannah’s visit to St. Petersburg.
The research reveals that the Savannah was a sailing packet ship, primarily designed for sail, but equipped with a steam engine and paddle wheels. The ebook extensively explores the Savannah’s design, hull structure, engine and boiler arrangements, sail plan, and even passenger accommodations. The research process involved examining a variety of historical documents and comparing the Savannah to other ships of the period, such as the Ohio, a coastal packet ship built in 1825. By piecing together these diverse sources, the authors have reconstructed the Savannah’s plans, providing a more accurate representation of this groundbreaking vessel.
Key Findings:
- The United States National Museum’s old model of the Savannah was inaccurate and was replaced with a more faithful representation.
- The Savannah was a sailing packet ship designed for both sail and steam.
- The Savannah was built by Fickett and Crockett in New York City in 1818.
- The Savannah was designed to be an auxiliary steam vessel, with sails as her primary means of propulsion.
- The Savannah’s engine was located abaft the paddle wheel shaft, and the ship had two boilers.
- The Savannah carried a small amount of cargo due to the large space occupied by the engine, boilers, and fuel.
- The Savannah’s paddle wheels could be folded to reduce wind resistance and allow for easier stowage.
Learning:
- Steam Navigation in the Early 19th Century: The ebook offers insight into the early days of steam navigation, showcasing the limitations and challenges of using steam power for transatlantic travel.
- Auxilliary Steam Vessels: The Savannah, as an auxiliary steam vessel, highlights the reliance on sail power, with steam serving as a supplementary means of propulsion.
- Engine and Boiler Technology: The ebook provides details about the Savannah’s engine and boiler design, showcasing the limitations of early steam technology.
- Fuel Consumption: The Savannah’s fuel consumption demonstrates the inefficiencies of early steam engines.
- The Importance of Historical Research: The extensive research process emphasizes the need for comprehensive historical research in reconstructing past events and artifacts.
- Multiple Sources: The authors’ reliance on a variety of historical sources, including ship logs, customhouse records, and contemporary accounts, highlights the value of utilizing multiple perspectives.
- Comparative Analysis: The comparison of the Savannah to other ships of the period, such as the Ohio, illustrates how comparative analysis can enhance understanding of a particular subject.
- Shipbuilding Practices in the Early 19th Century: The ebook provides details about shipbuilding practices during the early 19th century, including hull construction, sail plan design, and passenger accommodation.
- Hull Design and Construction: The ebook explains the hull design and construction of early packet ships, including the use of wood framing and the importance of proper trim.
- Rigging and Sails: The Savannah’s sail plan and rigging system demonstrate the complexity of sailing ships in the early 19th century.
- Passenger Accommodations: The ebook describes the passenger accommodations on the Savannah, providing a glimpse into the travel conditions of the era.
Historical Context:
The Savannah’s journey occurred during a period of rapid technological advancement, particularly in the development of steam power. The American economy was in a state of depression, and many transatlantic shipping routes were still dominated by sail. The Savannah’s successful transatlantic voyage, though financially unsuccessful, showcased the potential of steam power and helped to pave the way for future innovations in marine transportation.
Facts:
- The SS Savannah was built as a sailing packet ship in New York City in 1818. This was a common ship type at the time, designed for carrying cargo and passengers across long distances.
- The Savannah’s steam engine was designed by Daniel Dod and built by Stephen Vail, who owned the Speedwell Ironworks near Morristown, New Jersey. This highlights the growing importance of steam engine manufacturing in the early 19th century.
- The Savannah carried 75 tons of coal and 25 cords of wood for fuel. This highlights the significant amount of space required for fuel, which limited the amount of cargo the Savannah could carry.
- The Savannah had 32 passenger berths in staterooms. This suggests the ship was designed for both cargo and passengers, but the limited number of berths suggests that her primary purpose was cargo transport.
- The Savannah’s paddle wheels could be folded to reduce wind resistance when under sail. This demonstrates an innovative design feature that allowed for efficient use of both steam and sail power.
- The Savannah made a historic voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1819, becoming the first steamship to achieve this feat. This marked a significant milestone in the development of maritime transportation.
- The Savannah’s voyage to Russia in 1819, where she visited St. Petersburg, was an important event that brought international attention to the ship and her steam-powered capabilities.
- The Savannah was stranded and lost off the coast of Long Island in 1821. This highlights the dangers of early seafaring, even with the advancements of steam technology.
Statistics:
- The Savannah was 98 feet 6 inches in length between perpendiculars, 25 feet 10 inches in beam, and 14 feet 2 inches deep in hold. This reveals the Savannah was a relatively small ship compared to later transatlantic liners.
- The Savannah’s steam engine had a cylinder diameter of 40 3/8 inches and a stroke of 5 feet. This demonstrates the limited size and power of early steam engines.
- The Savannah’s maximum speed under steam was 6 knots, while she could reach 9 to 10 knots under sail. This highlights the superiority of sail power over steam power in the early 19th century.
- The Savannah’s paddle wheels were 16 feet in diameter and had eight buckets each. This indicates the relatively small size of the paddle wheels compared to later steamships.
- The Savannah was registered as having a burthen of 319 70/94 tons. This demonstrates the limited cargo capacity of the Savannah due to the space occupied by the engine, boilers, and fuel.
- The Savannah’s engine developed 90 horsepower. This highlights the limited power output of early steam engines, which required large amounts of fuel and space.
- The Savannah’s boilers were each 27 feet long and 6 feet in diameter. This reveals the significant size and weight of the boilers, which added to the challenges of steam propulsion.
Terms:
- Packet Ship: A ship specifically designed for carrying mail and passengers on a regular schedule between two ports.
- Burthen: A measure of a ship’s cargo capacity, typically calculated in tons.
- Perpendiculars: Lines drawn perpendicular to the keel, used as reference points for measuring the length of a ship.
- Beam: The width of a ship measured at its widest point.
- Hold: The cargo-carrying space below the main deck of a ship.
- Sternpost: The vertical timber at the stern of a ship that supports the rudder.
- Transom: The horizontal timber at the stern of a ship that forms the aftermost part of the deck.
- Tuck: A curve in the stern of a ship, below the transom.
- Wale: A thick strip of planking along the side of a ship, providing structural support.
- Spar: A general term for any long piece of timber used in the rigging of a ship, such as masts, yards, and booms.
Examples:
- The Savannah’s crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 1819: This historic voyage marked a significant milestone in the development of steam navigation, demonstrating the potential of steam power for long-distance travel.
- The Savannah’s visit to St. Petersburg, Russia: This event brought international attention to the ship and its steam-powered capabilities, showcasing the potential of American innovation in the field of marine transportation.
- The use of the Savannah’s fore spencer gaff as a crane: This innovative use of a sail spar demonstrates the versatility and ingenuity of early seafaring practices.
- The placement of the Savannah’s engine abaft the paddle wheel shaft: This design choice allowed for a more balanced distribution of weight and improved trim, demonstrating the careful consideration given to ship design in the early 19th century.
- The use of canvas wheel boxes to protect the Savannah’s paddle wheels: This practical design feature provides insight into the challenges of using steam power at sea, and the need to protect vulnerable equipment from the elements.
- The Savannah’s fuel consumption during her transatlantic voyage: This demonstrates the limitations of early steam engines, which required significant amounts of fuel and limited cargo capacity.
- The Savannah’s loss in 1821: This tragic event highlights the dangers of early seafaring, even with the advancements of steam technology.
Conclusion:
The SS Savannah, a pioneer of steam navigation, was a complex and innovative vessel. Despite her financial failures, the Savannah’s historic transatlantic voyage and subsequent voyage to Russia demonstrated the potential of steam power and contributed significantly to the development of maritime transportation. This ebook, through meticulous research and detailed analysis, provides a comprehensive understanding of the Savannah’s design, construction, and operation, offering valuable insights into the history of steam navigation and the challenges faced by early maritime innovators. The reader will gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of early shipbuilding practices, the evolution of steam technology, and the impact of the Savannah on the development of transatlantic travel.