More than Just a Steamboat!

Rumsey's British Patents


Rumsey obtained four British patents, the first several months after his arrival in England in 1788 and the last several months before his sudden death there in 1792.  He had many ideas, but many were never drawn, and almost none of his drawn devices were ever built. Still, his genius can be seen in these detailed drawings.

1788 Patent            1790 Patent              1791 Patent              1792 Patent


These exhibits were made possible by a grant from the Town of Shepherdstown and the West Virginia Humanities Council.