The Archimedes, fitted with Mr. F.P. Smith's Patent Screw Propeller - off The Nore, on her trip from Gravesend to Portsmouth - May 14th 1839 RMG PY8879

The Archimedes, fitted with Mr. F.P. Smith's Patent Screw Propeller... off The Nore, on her trip from Gravesend to Portsmouth... May 14th 1839
A coloured aquatint, which is apparently one of a pair (see also PAH0211), showing 'Archimedes' in port-broadside view with her sails furled. '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 Nore, 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.