On This Day August 22

The first reliably-working steamboat was a paddle steamer built by John Fitch. A successful trial run of his steamboat. Perseverance, was made on the Delaware River on August 22, 1787. The following year, Fitch began operating a regular commercial service along the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Burlington, New Jersey, carrying as many as 30 passengers. The Perseverance was not a commercial success, as this travel route was adequately covered by relatively good wagon roads.

Plan of Mr. Fitch's Steam Boat", Columbian Magazine (December 1786),

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