The Archimedes steamer. Fitted with Mr F P Smith's patent screw propeller, off the North Foreland, on her trip from Gravesend to Portsmouth.... 1839. Built by Mr Hy Wimshurst of Limehouse, for the Ship Propeller Company

A coloured aquatint, which is apparently one of a pair (see also PAH8879), showing 'Archimedes' in starboard quarter view in rough seas with her sails set. 'Archimedes' was fitted with Francis Pettit Smith's revolutionary propulsion system. Below the image is a drawing showing a cross-section of the vessel and either side of this are inscriptions. To the left, it reads: "The Archimedes ... Steamer. / fitted with Mr F.P. Smith's patent screw propellor / off the North Foreland, on her trip from Gravesend to Portsmouth, which was performed in 21 hours, against a fresh breeze from the West ... May 14th 1839." To the right, it reads: "Built by Mr. Hy.Wimshurst of Limehouse for the Ship Propeller Company." Beneath this is a list of dimensions.

'Archimedes' is notable for being the world's first steamship to be driven by a screw propeller. She subsequently had a profound influence on ship development, encouraging the adoption of screw propulsion by the Royal Navy,

Hand-coloured.

Object Details

ID: PAH0211
Collection: Fine art
Type: Print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Duncan, Edward
Places: Unlinked place
Vessels: Archimedes (1838)
Date made: ca.1838; 14 May 1839
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 414 x 550 mm