North America
In 1787, John Fitch built the first recorded steam-powered boat in the United States. It was propelled by a bank of oars on either side of the boat. He also experimented with side-mounted paddle wheels, but in 1790 used and patented stern-mounted oars instead. Fitch was the first to operate a steamboat commercially, with scheduled transport of passengers and freight on the Delaware river between Philadelphia and Trenton in 1790. The first successful application of steam power to navigate a paddle wheel boat in North America occurred in 1793 when Samuel Morey demonstrated his steamboat on the Connecticut River near Orford, New Hampshire.
Robert Fulton may have become interested in steamboats at the age of 12 when he visited William Henry during a trip to Britain and France in 1777. He built and tested an experimental steamboat on the river Seine in 1803, and was aware of the success of Charlotte Dundas. Before returning to the United States, Fulton ordered a steam engine from Boulton and Watt, and on return built what he called the North River Steamboat (later known as Clermont). In 1807, she began a regular passenger service between New York City and Albany, New York, 240 km (150 mi) distant, which was a commercial success. She could make the trip in 32 hours. In 1808, John and James Winans built Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, the second steamboat to operate commercially.
In Canada, in 1809, PS Accommodation, built by the Hon. John Molson at Montreal, and fitted with engines made by the Eagle Foundry, Montreal, was running successfully between Montreal and Quebec, being the first steamboat on the Saint Lawrence. Unlike Fulton, Molson did not show a profit. Molson had also two paddle steamboats "Swiftsure" of 1811 and "Malsham" of 1813 with engines by B&W. The experience of these vessels, especially that they could now offer a regular service, being independent of wind and weather, helped make the new system of propulsion commercially viable, and as a result its application to the more open waters of the Great Lakes was next considered. That idea went on hiatus due to the War of 1812.
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