The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. 1830 -
One of the principal objects that will attract the attention of the
traveller who spends a little time in Baltimore, is the great railroad,
commenced under such flattering prospects, to connect the city with the Ohio
river. Cars with sails sometimes go at the rate of 25 miles an hour, and can
move within four points of the wind. About twelve miles of it were completed in
1829; and various cars are in operation
upon it, some moved by steam, and some
by wind. ... The work will be
executed to Ellicott's mills early in 1830. The stranger will find a passage of
a few miles very novel and interesting. [Dwight]
from First Locomotives in America -
Following
the horse-power car came the Meteor [or "Aeolus"]. This was a sailing-vehicle, the
invention of Mr. Evan Thomas, who was, perhaps, the first person, as
already mentioned, who advocated railroads in Baltimore. The Meteor
required a good gale to drive it, and would only run when the wind was
what sailors call abaft, or on the quarter. Head-winds were fatal to it,
and Mr. Thomas was afraid to trust a strong side-wind lest the vehicle
might be upset; so it rarely made its appearance except a northwester
was blowing, when it would be dragged out to the farther end of the
Mount Clair embankment, and come back, literally with flying colors. The
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad being the first in operation in this
country, and almost the first in the world for the transportation of
passengers and merchandise, of course was visited by crowds from almost
every section of the United States, as well as from parts of Europe.
Among them was Baron Krudener, envoy from Russia, who, by invitation of
Mr. Thomas, made an excursion in the sailing-car, managing the sail
himself. On his return from the trip, he declared he had never before
travelled so agreeably. Mr. Thomas caused a model sailing-car to be
constructed, which he presented to the baron, with the respects of the
company, to be forwarded to the emperor. This courtesy on the part of
Mr. Thomas was handsomely acknowledged by the baron.
Like the horse-car, the
sailing-car had its day. It was an amusing toy—nothing more—and is
referred to now as an illustration of the crudity of the ideas
prevailing forty years ago in reference to railroads. [Brown]
"AEolus" from Great Railway Celebrations of
1857 -
"There being no settled mode of
propulsion fixed upon for travel on railroads, during the first year of the
opening of the road, Evan Thomas, Esq., had constructed, as an experiment, a
car with sails, which he called " the AEolus," which attracted much
attention.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
being the first road in operation in the country, and almost in the world, for
the transportation of passengers and merchandise, of course attracted visitors
from almost every section of the United States, as well as from some parts of
Europe. Among these, as detailed in a letter from Evan Thomas to George Brown,
was Baron Krudener, Envoy from the
Emperor of Russia, who made an excursion in the sailing car, managing the sail himself. On his
return from the excursion he declared that he had never before travelled so
agreeably, and remarked that he "would send his suite from
"Washington to enjoy sailing on the railroad."
The President of the Company, to whom he had been introduced, caused a model sailing car to be constructed, fitted with Winans' friction wheels, which he presented to him, with the reports that had been published by the company, to be forwarded to the Emperor." [Smith]
The President of the Company, to whom he had been introduced, caused a model sailing car to be constructed, fitted with Winans' friction wheels, which he presented to him, with the reports that had been published by the company, to be forwarded to the Emperor." [Smith]
South Carolina sailing car, rigged by sailors -
"A sailing-car, or a car propelled by the wind, was also tested upon the road in 1829-30. A description of one of the trips upon this machine we copy from the Charleston Courier, March 20, 1830:
Sailing On Land.—A
sail was set on a car on our railroad yesterday afternoon, in the
presence of a large concourse of spectators. Fifteen gentlemen got on
board and flew off at the rate of twelve to fourteen miles an hour.
Thirteen persons and three tons of iron were carried about ten miles an
hour.
The preparations for sailing were very hastily got up, and of course
were not of the best kind; but owing to this circumstance the
experiment afforded high sport. The wind blew very fresh from about
northeast, which, as a sailor would say, was 'abeam,' and would drive
the car either way with equal speed. When going at the rate of about
twelve miles an hour and loaded with fifteen passengers, the mast went
by the board, with the sail and rigging
attached, carrying with them several of the crew.
The wreck was descried by several friendly shipmasters who kindly rendered assistance in rigging a jury-mast, and the car was' again soon put under way. During the afternoon the wind changed so as to bring it nearly ahead when going in one direction; but this did not stop the sport, as it was ascertained that the car would sail within four points of the wind. We understand it is intended by some of our seamen to rig a car properly, and shortly to exhibit their skill in managing a vessel on land." [Brown]
The wreck was descried by several friendly shipmasters who kindly rendered assistance in rigging a jury-mast, and the car was' again soon put under way. During the afternoon the wind changed so as to bring it nearly ahead when going in one direction; but this did not stop the sport, as it was ascertained that the car would sail within four points of the wind. We understand it is intended by some of our seamen to rig a car properly, and shortly to exhibit their skill in managing a vessel on land." [Brown]
Sources
Brown, William Henry. The History of the First Locomotives in America: from original documents ... NY: 1871
Dwight, Theodore. The Northern Traveller, and Northern Tour. NY: 1830
Smith, William Prescott. The Book of the Great Railway Celebrations of 1857. NY: 1858
Smith, William Prescott. The Book of the Great Railway Celebrations of 1857. NY: 1858
©2017 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD
Sail-Rail needs to be revisited, along with sailing-ships, bicycles, horsedrawn Gigs & Cabriolets, & lots of walking, to un-fuel global-overheating.
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