
The United States floating battery Demologos was a game-changer in the field of steam power. It was the first steam-powered warship in the world.
Built in 1844, the Demologos was a significant innovation in naval technology. The ship was designed to demonstrate the potential of steam power for the US Navy.
The Demologos was a side-wheel steam frigate, measuring 168 feet in length and 32 feet in width. It was powered by a 136-horsepower steam engine.
History of Demologos
The Demologos was a pioneering steam warship designed by Robert Fulton, a pioneer of commercial steamers in North America. It was authorized by Congress on March 9, 1814.
Construction of the ship began on June 20, 1814, at the civilian yard of Adam and Noah Brown. She was launched on October 29, 1814.
The Demologos was delivered to the United States Navy in June 1816, but she saw only one day of active service, carrying President James Madison on a tour of New York Harbor.
A two-masted lateen rig was added by the orders of her first commander, Captain David Porter. In 1821, her armament and machinery were removed.
The Demologos came to an end on June 4, 1829, in a gunpowder explosion while lying at anchor, killing an officer and 47 men.
Design and Impact

Demologos had a unique and innovative design, a catamaran with a paddlewheel sandwiched between two hulls. Each hull was 5 ft thick for protection against gunfire.
The steam engine, mounted below the waterline in one of the hulls, was capable of giving 5.5 knots speed in favorable conditions. This was a significant advantage over sail-powered warships.
Demologos was designed to carry 30 32-pounder guns, but the Navy had trouble acquiring sufficient guns, and a varying number were mounted while in actual service. Fulton's design solved several of the problems inherent in warships powered by paddlewheels.
By placing the paddlewheel centrally, sandwiched between two hulls, Fulton protected it from gunfire. This design also allowed the ship to mount a full broadside of guns.
The steam engine offered the prospect of tactical advantage against sail-powered warships in calm weather. Demologos might have found it easy to outmaneuver a ship-of-the-line in such conditions.
The innovative construction and steam power fundamentally limited Demologos' role in naval warfare. With an unreliable engine and a hull unsuited to seaways, the ship was unable to travel on the high seas.
Reconstruction and Plans
The Demologos, a pioneering floating battery, was built in 1814 to counter British warships in the New York Harbor. It was a massive 180-ton vessel.
The ship's reconstruction and plans were overseen by Robert Fulton, a renowned engineer and inventor. He designed the Demologos to be a floating battery.
The Demologos was 150 feet long and 28 feet wide, making it a formidable presence on the water. Its hull was made of oak, a durable and resistant wood.
The ship's construction was a significant undertaking, requiring a large workforce and a substantial amount of materials. It was built in just 60 days.
The Demologos was armed with 10 guns, providing a powerful defense against enemy ships. Its wooden hull was also protected by a layer of iron plating.
The ship's innovative design and construction made it a groundbreaking achievement in naval engineering.
Robert Fulton and Demologos
Robert Fulton was the genius behind the design of Demologos, the first steam warship. He proposed the idea of a steam-powered warship to a coastal defence committee in early 1814.

Fulton's design was a catamaran, using two parallel armour-clad hulls, with the paddlewheel located between the hulls to protect it from enemy fire. The 120-horsepower steam engine was located below the waterline of one of the hulls.
Demologos was 156 feet in length, with a beam of 56 feet, and weighed 2,745 displacement tons.
2 Comments
Robert Fulton's innovative steam-powered warship, the Demologos, was a game-changer in naval warfare. It was the first warship to be propelled by a steam engine.
The Demologos was a 1,500-ton sloop-of-war, and its steam-powered propulsion system allowed it to move at a speed of about 7 knots. That's significantly faster than the average sailing ship of the time.
Robert Fulton's design for the Demologos was inspired by his earlier experiments with steam-powered boats on the Hudson River. This experience gave him valuable insights into the potential of steam power for naval vessels.
The Demologos was equipped with a 20-foot-long, 16-inch-diameter cylinder that drove a 10-foot-long, 8-foot-diameter wheel, which powered the ship's propeller. This innovative system allowed the ship to move efficiently and effectively.
Fulton the First
Fulton the First was a steam-powered warship designed by Robert Fulton in 1815. It was the first warship in the world to be propelled by a steam engine.
Fulton the First was originally called the Demologos, but it was later renamed to honor Robert Fulton. The ship was 128 feet long and 28 feet wide.
The Demologos was a single-ship experiment, built to test the feasibility of steam-powered warships. It was constructed at the New York Navy Yard.
The ship's steam engine was designed to produce 1,500 horsepower, which was a significant improvement over earlier steam engines.
on the Water
The United States floating battery Demologos was a revolutionary vessel in its time, designed to provide a floating battery system for the US Navy.
It was built in 1814 by Charles Wardell, a master shipbuilder, and was 127 feet long.
The Demologos was a floating battery, meaning it was designed to carry a battery of guns on its deck.

The ship was powered by a combination of sail and steam, with a steam engine providing the necessary power to propel the vessel.
The Demologos was a significant improvement over earlier floating batteries, which were often cumbersome and difficult to maneuver.
The ship's steam engine was a key innovation, allowing it to move quickly and efficiently through the water.
The Demologos was designed to carry a crew of 100 men, who were responsible for operating the ship's guns and machinery.
The ship's guns were a key feature of the Demologos, with 10 guns mounted on its deck.
The Demologos played a significant role in the War of 1812, serving as a floating battery in several key battles.
The ship's performance in these battles was impressive, with the Demologos helping to repel British attacks and protect American ships.
The Demologos was eventually sold to the state of New York in 1821, where it was used as a floating battery for several years.
The ship's legacy continued even after it was sold, with the Demologos serving as a model for future floating batteries.
The Demologos was a groundbreaking vessel that played a significant role in the history of the US Navy.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_floating_battery_Demologos
- https://www.oldsaltblog.com/2020/10/the-launching-of-the-demologos-first-steam-powered-warship/
- https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Floating_battery
- https://www.gutenberg.org/files/31179/31179-h/31179-h.htm
- https://shannonselin.com/2021/04/fulton-first-steam-warship/
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