John Laurence Busch

John Laurence Busch has written the definitive history of the steamship Savannah and its Captain, Moses Rogers, in his latest book, Steam Coffin.

The steamship Savannah was the first steam powered vessel to cross the Atlantic ocean. However, this accomplishment is but only a small portion of a very compelling history of steam powered vessels, the people that developed and captained them and the intrigues that swirled around the events of this period of world history. For example, Busch explains in detail how the competition between steamship pioneers, European politics of England, Denmark and Russia, the Savannah, GA fire of January 1820 and the national economic depression in 1820 all conspire to drive the fate of the Savannah and its captain.

One of the most interesting aspects of Busch's narrative is his description of the impact that steam powered vessels had on intercity travel in the early 19th century. Travelers today routinely take for granted the relatively precise scheduling of long distance travel (air travel excepted). However, in the 19th century travel by ocean vessel was at the mercy of winds and weather. Departures could be delayed by hours or days. Steam power offered, at the time, the astonishing ability to depart and often arrive on a precise schedule.

Another interesting detail is what to call these new vessels? In the 19th century, terms such as sloop, schooner, brig and ship had specific meanings and were well known to many. Initially, steamboat was used because of their small size and limitation to quiet inland waters. But as the vessels grew in size and became ocean going the term ship (3 mast, square-rigged) was appended to steam.

The book is excellently indexed. Besides the standard list of illustrations and maps, source notes and selected bibliography, Busch provides indexes of people, vessels and subjects.

In summary, Busch has written a very comprehensive, readable history of the Savannah, Captain Moses and their places in history.… (plus d'informations)