Belching fire and smoke from its single stack and frightening sailors on the river and watchers on both shores, Robert Fulton's North River Steamer – better known since as the Clermont – began its successful 140-mile voyage up the Hudson River from New York City to Albany on August 17, 1807, inaugu-rating commercial steam navigation on the world's waters. 

The marine steam engine is passing, steadily being overtaken by diesel engines and gas turbines, but happily the golden age of steam-powered vessels – from the diminutive Clermont to ocean liners and mighty dread-noughts – was portrayed endlessly by a host of engravers, painters, lithographers, and photographers.

What better way to celebrate the forthcoming bicentennial of the once ridiculed 'Fulton's Folly' than by showing a selection of our illustrations of Robert Fulton and his works, the inventors and remarkable inventions that prepared the way for Fulton, and the sub-sequent evolution of steamboats and steam-ships in peace and in war. Come aboard for the cruise.  Bon voyage!