James Rumsey (1743-92) was an American mechanical engineer who exhibited a boat propelled by machinery in 1786 on the Potomac River before George Washington. A pump driven by steam power ejected a stream of water from the stern of the boat and thereby propelled the boat forwards. 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Upper part of the Potomac River The Potomac River flows into Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States (USA). ... This article is about George Washingtons general life. ...

The demonstration occurred 21 years before Robert Fulton constructed and demonstrated the Clermont. Benjamin Franklin was a member of the society which had been formed to promote the project. Robert Fulton Fultons monster, the Clermont or North River Steamer Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 – February 24, 1815) was an US engineer and inventor widely credited with developing the first steam-powered ship. ... Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze 1777 For the former mayor of Nepean, see Ben Franklin (politician) Dr. Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American printer, journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat, and inventor. ...

Daniel Bernoulli (1700-82) originated the idea of propelling watercraft in that way. Rumsey obtained patents for his invention in Great Britain, France, and Holland. Daniel Bernoulli Daniel Bernoulli (Groningen, February 9, 1700 – Basel, March 17, 1782) was a Dutch-born mathematician who spent much of his life in Basel, Switzerland. ... Holland is the common name in English referring to the Kingdom of the Netherlands (or exclusively its European part)--although this is incorrect from a Dutch perspective. ...