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BELLs COMET
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BELLs COMET
Henry Bells Comet which plied on the Clyde from 1812 till 1820 - the first practical steamboat on any European river
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Media ID 576892
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10016345
1812 1820 Bell Clyde Practical Steam Boat Steam Ships Till Plied
EDITORS COMMENTS
Bells Comet: The Pioneering Steam-Powered Vessel on the River Clyde, 1812-1820 This evocative image captures the historic Bells Comet, the first practical steamboat to ply the waters of the River Clyde in Europe, between 1812 and 1820. Designed and built by the Scottish engineer, James Watt, and Henry Bell, this groundbreaking vessel marked a significant milestone in the history of water transportation. The Bells Comet was a 37-foot long, 12-foot wide, and 7-foot deep steamship, capable of carrying up to 100 passengers. Its innovative design featured a horizontal, external, reciprocating engine, which propelled the boat using a paddle wheel at the stern. This design was a departure from the traditional sailing ships that dominated European waterways at the time, and it offered a faster, more reliable, and consistent means of transportation, revolutionizing the way people and goods were moved along the Clyde. The Bells Comet's maiden voyage took place on August 25, 1812, and it quickly gained popularity due to its speed and reliability. The boat was able to travel upstream against the current at a speed of 5 miles per hour, while downstream it could reach an impressive 12 miles per hour. This was a significant improvement over the sailing ships of the time, which were heavily dependent on the wind and currents, making travel unpredictable and often slow. The Bells Comet's impact on the transportation industry was profound, and it paved the way for the widespread adoption of steam-powered vessels in Europe and beyond. This image serves as a testament to the ingenuity and vision of its creators, James Watt and Henry Bell, and their groundbreaking contribution to the history of water transportation.
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