1707. Denis Papin experimented on River Fulda with paddle-wheel steamboat.

1736. Jonathan Hulls patented designs similar to modern paddle boat.

1769. James Watt invented a double-acting side-lever engine.

1783. Marquess of Jouffrey made experiments in France.

1785. James Ramsey, in America, propelled a boat with steam through a stern-pipe.

1785 Robert Fitch, in America, propelled a boat with canoe-paddles fixed to a moving beam.

1787. Robert Miller, of Edinburgh, tried primitive manual machinery.

1788. Miller, with Symington, produced a double-hull stern-wheel steamboat.

1802. Charlotte Dundas, the first practical steam tugboat, designed by Symington.

1804. Phoenix, screw-boat designed by Stephens in New York; first steamer to make a sea voyage.

1807. Clermont, first passenger steamer continuously employed; built by Fulton in U. S.A.

1812. Comet, first passenger steamer continuously employed in Europe; built by Miller in Scotland.

1818. Rob Roy, first sea-trading steamer in the world, built at Glasgow.

1819. Savannah, first auxiliary steamer, paddle wheels, to cross the Atlantic; built in New York.

1821. Aaron Manby, first steamer (English canal boat) built of iron.

1823. City of Dublin Steam Packet Co. was established.

1824. General Steam Navigation Co. was established at London.

1824. George Thompson & Co. (Aberdeen Line), were established.

1825. Enterprise made the first steam passage to India.

1825. William Fawcett, pioneer steamer of the P. & O. S. N. Co.

1830. T. & J. Harrison (Harrison Line) were established at Liverpool.

1832. Elburkah, iron steamer, took a private exploring party up the Niger.

1834. Lloyd's Register for British and Foreign Snipping established.

1836. Austrian Lloyd Steam Navigation Co. established at Trieste.

1837. Francis B. Ogden, first successful screw tugboat; fitted with Ericsson's propeller.

1838. Archimedes, made the Dover-Calais passage under two hours, fitted with Smith's propeller.

1838. R. F. Stockton, built for a tugboat, fitted with Ericsson's propeller, sailed to America; first iron vessel to cross the Atlantic; first screw steamer used in America.

1839. Thames, pioneer steamer of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co.

1839. George Smith & Sons (City Line) were established at Glasgow.

1840. Britannia, pioneer steamer of the Cunard Line.

1840. Chile, pioneer steamer of the Pacific Steam Navigation Co.

1845. Great Britain, first iron screw steamer, precursor of modern Atlantic steamer.

1845. Thos. Wilson, Sons & Co., Ltd. (Wilson Line), established at Hull.

1847. Pacific Mail Steamship Co. established in America.

1849. Houlder Brothers & Co. established at London.

1850. Bullard, King & Co. (Natal Line) established at London.

1850. Messageries Maritimes de France established.

1850. Inman (now American) Line, established at Liverpool.

1851. Tiber, first steamer of the Bibby Line, established 1821 at Liverpool.

1852. Forerunner, pioneer steamer of the African Steamship Co.

1853. Union Steamship Co. was established (now Union-Castle Line.)

1853. Borussia, first steamer of the Hamburg-American Packet Co., established 1847.

1854. Canadian, first steamer of the Allan Line, established 1820.

1855. British India Steam Navigation Co. was established.

1856. Tempest, first steamer Anchor Line. 1858. Bremen, first Atlantic steamer of the Norddeutscher Lloyd, established 1856.

1858. Great Eastern launched into the Thames. Jan. 31; commenced. May 1. 1854. - Whittaker's Almanac.

Copyright, 1899, by Munn & Co.

"Great Eastern " - Length over all, 692 ft.; beam, 83 ft.; depth, 57 1/2 ft.; displacement on 25 1/2 ft. draught, 27,000 tons; horse power, 8,000; maximum speed, 14 1/2 knots. "Oceanic" " " " 704 " " 68 " " 49 " " " 32 1/2 " " 28,500 " " " 28,000; " " 21 1/4 "

"Great Eastern" And "Oceanic" Compared.