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Illustration of John Fitch's design for a ferry boat with steam-driven oars, Columbian Magazine, December 8, 1786.
Credit: Library of Congress
John Fitch first introduced his proposed steamboat to the public in a letter published in the December 8, 1786 issue of the Columbian Magazine. By the time Fitch gave the first public demonstration of his steam engine powered boat the following August, the oars had been replaced by small paddle wheels.