science · 11 October 1811 · 213 years ago
In 1811, the first steam-powered ferryboat, the Juliana, began operation by between New York City and Hoboken, NJ. Its inventor, John Stevens, designed improvements in steamboats, obtained one of the first U.S. patents (1791) and experimented on the Passaic River, (1798 - 1800), with the steamboat, Polacca, but unsuccessfully due to excessive vibrations and leaks. By 1803, Stevens had patented an improved multitubular boiler and outfitted the Little Juliana which sailed successfully in New York harbor (1804) and thus was one of the earliest twin screw sailboats. After building other ships, in 1811, he bought a commercial ferry license in NY state and operated a horse powered ferry while building the first steam ferry, Juliana.
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