Storyboard Text
- Westerners scored a major win in 1811 when the construction of the National Road (or Cumberland Road) was started by the government in Maryland. Although there were some hurdles such as the war of 1812 and the states' righters; the road was created successfully.
- This road ended up 591 miles to the west and reached Illinois. Later it was expanded farther.
- The craze over the steamboat was much bigger than the turnpike. Robert Fulton, is the man who installed a powerful steam engine in what is known as the Clermont. Or as the doubtful public names "Fulton's Folly". In 1807 this ship sailed from NYC up to Albany. It made 150 miles in 32 hours.
- The steamboat was a super successful invention. Fulton doubled the carrying capacity on all of America's streams. These steamboats replaced the Natchez Trace and made transit very efficient.
- Similarly, the streamer Sultana blew up in 1865 killing 17000 passengers. Although, some tragic events did take place, the steamboats were an important invention that changed many lives and way of living.
- From 1820-1860 around 1,000 steamboats had been made. Exciting races were held between the streamers. Enthusiastic passengers often urged the captain to stack more wood on the deck, at the risk of the boilers exploding. At which they often did,
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