The New International Encyclopædia/Roosevelt, Nicholas J.

ROOSEVELT, rō'z’-vĕlt, Nicholas J. (1767-1854). An American inventor. He was born in New York City. His claim to distinction is based upon his invention of the vertical paddle-wheel for use in steamboats. As early as the Revolution he used the idea in a small boat in which there were two side-wheels that were turned by springs. In 1797, together with R. R. Livingston and John Stevens, he built a steamboat; but, as contrary to his advice, chains and floats were used instead of paddle-wheels, the boat proved a failure. Financial difficulties prevented him from following out his idea, and ultimately Fulton adopted it with success. In 1809 Roosevelt, after considerable controversy with Fulton, entered into a partnership with him for the introduction of steamboats on western waters. Two years later Roosevelt built at Pittsburg the boat New Orleans, and successfully navigated her down the Ohio and the Mississippi to New Orleans. Consult Latrobe, “A Lost Chapter in the History of the Steamboat,” in vol. v. of the Maryland Historical Society Fund Publication (Baltimore, 1871).