The book begins by exploring the earliest primitive attempts at mechanical marine propulsion, from Chinese paddle-boats to oxen-driven Roman galleys, before examining the gradual discovery and application of steam power. The narrative details the pioneering work of inventors such as Robertus Valturius, Denis Papin, Jonathan Hulls, and the Marquis de Jouffroy, who laid the groundwork for steam navigation. A dedicated section focuses on American pioneers like John Fitch, James Rumsey, and Robert Fulton, chronicling the construction of the Clermont and the rapid expansion of passenger steam-boat services on American rivers and the Great Lakes.
Moving to the United Kingdom, the text traces the evolution of British shipbuilding and marine engineering through the contributions of William Symington, Henry Bell, and Robert Napier. It describes the harrowing first sea-going voyages of early British steamers and the subsequent establishment of coastal and cross-channel passenger and cargo services by pioneering companies. The development of railway-owned steam-ships and their vital role in integrating land and sea transport networks receive detailed attention.
A significant portion of the work is devoted to the opening and rapid development of the transatlantic steam-ship service. It recounts the historic voyages of the Savannah, the Royal William, the Sirius, and the Great Western, which proved the viability of ocean steam navigation. The narrative contrasts the pioneering vessels with the later introduction of iron hulls, screw propellers, and more powerful engines by competing lines such as the Cunard and Collins lines.
The final chapters explore the expansion of steam communication to distant parts of the globe, including the early voyages to India via the Cape of Good Hope and the Red Sea. Throughout the volume, the author combines meticulous historical detail with technical explanations of engine designs, hull construction, and paddle-wheel mechanisms, offering a complete chronicle of maritime progress up to the early twentieth century.
