Steamboats: Rumsey and Fulton By Sarah Becker © 2017 The discovery of the Mariner’s Compass Gave Commerce to the World…and the Introduction of the Creative System of Canals…will Give an Agricultural Polish To every Acre of America,” artist turned inventor Robert Fulton wrote President George Washington in 1796. Fulton, born in Pennsylvania, moved to London in 1787 to study painting with artist Benjamin West then relocated to England’s industrial center to learn engineering. In June 1794 Robert Fulton “received royal patent number 1988 for ‘a machine or engine for conveying boats and vessels and their cargoes to and from different levels…without the assistance of locks.’” Cotton manufacturer, later utopian reformer Robert Owen was a co-partner. Owen, whose third son also studied with artist Benjamin West, owned and operated England’s first steam powered mills. Fulton transitioned to engineer with the 1796 London publication of his Treatise on the Improvement of Canal Navigation. His dilemma: “How to Raise a Sum in the different States” for “the Specific System for America.” Fulton wanted President Washington’s financial support, as well as the aid of selected Pennsylvania officials. Benjamin West, Fulton’s “firm friend’ and fellow Pennsylvanian, was also asked for funding. West declined favoring former Potomac River Company employee and Virginia (West Virginia) inventor James Rumsey. Rumsey began experimenting with steam in 1774; demonstrated a mechanical Model of a Boat to Washington in September 1784, then a water jet propulsion steam boat in December 1787. He preferred “not business but mechanical invention.” “Remained at Bath, Virginia (now Berkley Springs, West Virginia) all day and was shewed the Model of a Boat constructed by the ingenious Mr. Rumsey, for ascending rapid currents by mechanism,” Washington noted on September 6, 1784. “The principles of this were not only shewn, & fully explained to me, but to my…
While most make resolutions, I look for revolutionary gadgets and gizmos to start my year. There are a lot of new and even improved products for boating and fishing! They can make life easier or protect your investment. Here are a few to take a longer look at! You’ll probably say, “Why didn’t I think of that!” Trailering a boat is risky enough without having the guy behind you bumping into your expensive propeller causing possible damage elsewhere too. A parked boat with a propeller exposed might lead to an injury. The Back Off Bag wraps up the propeller in a quick drying, UV resistant mesh bag that is highlighted with 3 large reflective bands to alert drivers and pedestrians alike to the back end of your boat. The mold and mildew resistant bag tightens with a para cord and toggle for a custom fit! It also prevents the prop blades from tearing expensive covers! When not on the prop, it can be used for a storage bag. backoffbag.bigcartel.com The trolling motor is one of the most important bass boat tools, getting anglers close to fish. But vibration created by flexing plastic blades produces propeller harmonic noise that could spook fish. Propeller Dynamics, known across the country as a premier prop repair shop, also boasts several common sense accessories. Their latest is sure to make a lot of noise on the trolling motor scene, keeping trolling motors quiet! The Eliminator custom prop nut replaces the stock nut with a larger contact surface and special durometer rubber O-ring to absorb and stabilize the vibration created by a flexing trolling motor prop. In addition, it can be installed and removed by hand! The rubber O-ring secures the Eliminator, making it easy to make on-the-fly changes if needed. In addition, the larger surface…
Several years ago, I walked past a fishing expo booth with a video of a topwater plug I had used as a kid but hadn’t seen in decades. I talked to the enthusiastic owner about his single lure lineup! He handed me a couple. I packed them away. During an off-season clean up I found the lure, a Hubs Chub. I gave it a whirl. I loved how it walked, spit, rattled and churned up the water. Apparently so did the bass! I was amazed how this old fashioned lure was met with such ferocity! Bass killed it! If they missed, they would come back! And back again until they were hooked! I played with it all summer and decided to give the owner a call. A long phone conversation with Steve Monoyoudis proved worth the time! Monoyoudis discovered the lure in 1987 as a 15 year old watching the legendary Billy Westmorland catch fish with it on his TV show. Westmorland endorsed the Rattalur, the original name, for years and dedicated four of his “Fishing Diary” television shows to this lure; calling it “The Best Topwater Lure Going.” This was verified by his long time fishing companion Buddy Banks, owner of Silver Buddy Lures, who remembers the previous lure owner coming to Billy with this “new” lure and Billy achieving success when other lures struck out! Monoyoudis ordered two, went wading on the river, and on his first cast caught the biggest smallie he’d seen. “I was hooked and it came to be my favorite lure for the next 4 years into 1994.” Losing his last one and finding they were no longer available, Monoyoudis went 12 years without the lures. He was elated to find Hubs Chub owner Phil Yeather on line. Monoyoudisrestocked his Tacklebox. But Yeather…
After guiding full time for 15 years, some clients become very good friends. In February I lost one of those friends. Arvid Knutsen always made me laugh. Sometimes I would fall to the deck laughing so hard. His was a self-deprecating humor. Booking his first trip with me many years ago, he told me he had never caught a bass with a guide. He was willing to learn and researched me as the guy for the job. On our first trip Arvid did catch “a” fish. I could see that he had a long way to go and I told him I could see why he had never caught a bass with a guide. He said “Understood”, smiled and our friendship began. Fishing once or twice the first year, then eventually every Friday, we hit the water and had fun! He improved slowly, very slowly, but quickly I learned he was really out to enjoy himself. If he caught fish, so much the better. On days where I would have normally canceled due to poor conditions, Arvid would ask what he could expect to catch; I replied “One, if you are lucky!” He accepted the challenge and would catch one. And he would spend the day and months ahead quoting me, including my accurate prediction. Arvid was so excited about getting on the water; he would arrive at the dock in a total panic. Running late was routine. Tangled line and tackle started every trip. I would get him to a fishing spot and prepare his gear for the day. Often I would go to his house to organize his tackle as he kept bringing more and more gear onto the boat. Rain or shine, he even packed rain gear! I admired his stick to it attitude! No matter the…