Steamboat
Similar boats were made in 1785 by John Fitch in Philadelphia and William Symington in Dumfries, Scotland. Fitch successfully trialled his boat in 1787, and in 1788, he began operating a regular commercial service along the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Burlington, New Jersey, carrying as many as 30 passengers. This boat could typically make and travelled more than during its short length of service. The Fitch steamboat was not a commercial success, as this travel route was adequately covered by relatively good wagon roads. The following year, a second boat made excursions, and in 1790, a third boat ran a series of trials on the Delaware River before patent disputes dissuaded Fitch from continuing.
Steamboats of the Columbia River
Another sidewheeler on the Willamette at this time was the Mississippi-style "Wallamet", which did not prosper, and was sold to California interests. In 1853, the side-wheeler "Belle of Oregon City", an iron-hulled boat built entirely in Oregon, was launched at Oregon City. "Belle" (as generally known) was notable because everything, including her machinery, was of iron that had been worked in Oregon at a foundry owned by Thomas V. Smith. "Belle" lasted until 1869, and was a good boat, but was not considered a substitute for the speed and comfort (as the standard was then) of the departed "Lot Whitcomb". Also operating on the river at this time were "James P. Flint", "Allen", "Washington", and the small steam vessels "Eagle", "Black Hawk", and "Hoosier", the first two being iron-hulled and driven by propellers.
"Jennie Clark", built by Jacob Kamm with John C. Ainsworth as her first captain, was placed in service in February 1855. She was the first sternwheeler on the Columbia River system. Her hull and upper works were built at Milwaukie, while her engines were built in Baltimore to Kamm's specifications, for a price of $1,663.16, and shipped around to the West Coast, which cost another $1,030.02. Kamm and Ainsworth had settled on the sternwheeler as superior to propeller-driven and side-wheel boats. Propellers were too vulnerable to expensive-to-fix damage to propellers and shafts from rocks and other obstructions in the river. Sidewheelers were too difficult to steer and needed expensive dock facilities.