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John Elgar letter to Charles Lukens

Creation: 1825 March 31
 Collection
Accession: 1366

Abstract

John Elgar was a Quaker master mechanic employed in the York, Pa., foundry of Phineas Davis, Israel Gartner and James Webb. The letter is an order for sheet iron used to build the hull of the steamboat Codorus.

Dates

  • Creation: 1825 March 31

Creator

Extent

1 item(s)

Historical Note

John Elgar was a Quaker master mechanic employed in the York, Pa., foundry of Phineas Davis, Israel Gartner and James Webb. In 1825 a group of Baltimore capitalists formed a company to navigate the Susquehanna River with steamboats in order to increase the trade of the city. Elgar constructed the steamboat Codorus for this group and launched it on November 14, 1825. The hull was made of sheet iron riveted together, making it the first iron-hulled steamboat ever built. It made several demonstration trips on the river, and in April 1826 it successfully steamed as far north as the New York State line. However, the Susquehanna could be navigated in high water for only a few months each year, so the project was eventually abandoned. Davis, Gartner & Webb later gained fame as the builders of the first American locomotives to be used in regular service on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Elgar made a number of railroad-related inventions.

Scope and Content

The letter was written by Elgar to Charles Lukens of the Brandywine Rolling Mill, an important producer of iron plate, ordering the sheet iron used to build the hull of the Codorus. Attached is an order from Israel Gartner of Davis, Gartner & Webb.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research. Litigators may not view the collection without approval.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Provenance

On Deposit.

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
John Elgar letter to Charles Lukens
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
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