Introduction
Steam power came to rivers and lakes even before it came to railways. Exactly who was ‘first’ is often debated, but the short answer is that a Frenchman was the first to try it, a Scotsman was the first to make it work, and an American was the first to make a profit from it.
THE world’s first steam-powered vessel was demonstrated by the Marquis Claude de Jouffroy, navigating the Doubs river between Besançon and Montbéliard in 1776.* Over in America, John Fitch demonstrated a second on the Delaware to members of the Constitutional Convention, meeting at Philadelphia in 1787.*
Brilliant though these innovations were, they were blind alleys both scientifically and commercially. The Marquis used an engine derived from the historic steam engine invented by Devonshire engineer Thomas Newcomen in 1712, which had already been superseded by James Watt’s revolutionary designs. Fitch had a better engine, but his mechanical oars were clumsier than Jouffroy’s paddle-wheel.
Politics and money also got in the way. The French monarchy’s Academy of Sciences snubbed the Marquis in favour of a rival, and the science-loving French Revolutionaries drove him into exile and poverty. Fitch patented his invention, but hopes of a government monopoly were dashed, and his financial backers deserted him in favour of enterprising competitors.
A replica model of the boat, named ‘Perseverance’, is kept in Berlin’s Science Museum, and can be seen at Wikimedia Commons.
Précis
The first steam-powered river-going vessels were given trials in France in 1776 by the Marquis de Jouffroy, and eleven years later in America by John Fitch. However, political upheaval in the French Revolution, and the caution of American investors, combined with serious weaknesses in design to prevent further development at this stage. (52 / 60 words)
The first steam-powered river-going vessels were given trials in France in 1776 by the Marquis de Jouffroy, and eleven years later in America by John Fitch. However, political upheaval in the French Revolution, and the caution of American investors, combined with serious weaknesses in design to prevent further development at this stage.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: despite, may, not, otherwise, ought, until, whereas, whether.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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