Fun Fact: Did You Know That the Inventor of the Steamboat Was a Resident of Cecil County?

Question: Did you know that the inventor of the steamboat was a resident of Cecil County?

James Rumsey lived on the Bohemia River in Cecil County until right before his death in

RUMSEY steamboat2
Etching of Cecil County resident James Rumsey’s steamboat on the Potomac, Dec 3, 1787

1792. He actually died in London while lecturing an audience about his steamboat. Prior to his death, he demonstrated the prototype to George Washington. Because he died before manufacturing his product, others created the vessels and were credited with the idea.

CecilVisit Cecil County’s Tourism History page for more info on this and other interesting facts about Cecil County.

 

 

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