1846 Hutchings View of the Collect Pond, New York - Steam Navigation

This is an extremely scarce 1846 broadside issued by John Hutchings to promote the awareness of John Fitch as a pioneer of steam navigation. This broadside was issued in two formats - one about 50% smaller on this paper - apparently designed as a pamphlet, and this broadside example, on thick paper, with a much larger map, designed for framing and presentation. While the smaller version is common - the present map has never before been seen on the market.

Fitch and Steam Navigation

John Fitch (17?? - 1798) was an instrument maker working in the later part of the 18th century. As an early pioneer of steam navigation, Fitch tested several steamboats on the Delaware River between 1785 and 1788. One of these, the Perseverance, is depicted from different angles in the upper right and left corners. Fitch's real success occurred a few years later when, in 1793, he tested another ship equipped with a paddle wheel on New York's Collect Pond. This was a full six years before Fulton and Livingston launched Fulton's Folly on the Seine. Hutchings claims to have been a 'lad' at the time who 'assisted Mr. Fitch in steering the boat'. Hutchings asserts that it was in fact Fitch who designed the steam propulsion mechanism. He claims that both Fulton and Livingston were present during the Collect Pond tests and in fact depicts both, as well as Fitch and himself, in a paddlewheel steam ship in the upper left. Although Fulton seems to have received most of the credit for the era of steam navigation, Hutchings hoped, through the publication of this broadside, to shed some light on Fitch's contributions as well.

The Collect Pond

Central to this publication is a map of the Collect Pond and vicinity extending roughly from Broadway westward to Chatam Street, south as far as City Hall Park and north to Canal. Before the 19th century, the Collect Pond existed roughly between Barlet Street and Franklin. The Collect Pond was a natural depression and drainage area that filled with water seasonally. The Collect Pond appears in early maps of New York City and until the construction of the Croton Aqueduct was one of the few sources of fresh water in lower Manhattan. This pond was filled and overbuilt around 1811 when it transformed into the notorious poverty-stricken 'Five Points' district. Among the subsequent constructions here overprinted on the pond is the notorious prison known as the 'Tombs'. When Fitch tested his steamboat, the pond would have been surrounded by slaughterhouses, tanneries, gunpowder storage, bogs, and prisons, not exactly a pretty place for an afternoon boat ride.

Description of Events

To the right of the map is a lengthy testimonial, written by Hutchings, describing Fitch, his steam boat, and the event in general. The description makes mention of 'Colonel Stevens' of Hoboken, and one 'Roosavelt', potential wealthy investors. The also notes that both Robert L. Livingstone and Robert Fulton were present. He goes on to describe in detail the function and mechanism of the Fitch steamboat.

Publication History and Census

This broadside is dated and copyrighted to John Hutchings, 1846. The broadside was drawn and designed by J. Penniman of 80 1/2 Canal Street. It was printed in lithograph by G. Michelin at 111 Nassau Street, New York. As stated, there are two editions of this broadside - both very different. The more common is a smaller sized folding pamphlet on thin paper. On that example, the map is reduced from the present example and additional testimonials from prominent individuals appear to the left of the map. The smaller example also features different images. The present example is much rarer, being the only surviving example we are aware of. It is printed on heavy stock, intended for framing, with finely lettered titalage and content both above and below the map's frame.