It was the writer's privilege in 1891, to deliver the unveiling address of a monument to Symington at his[page 151] birthplace, Lead Hills, Scotland. In the tribute then paid to the genius of the great Scotchman who had done so much for invention in many directions, he said the difference between Symington and Fulton was this: "Each worked diligently at the same idea, but it was the good fortune of Fulton, so far as the steamboat was considered, to make his 'invention' 'go.'"
I see the traditions of my fathers are true; I see far,
far away the big bird again floating upon the waters,
so far my warriors that you cannot see it, but ere two
autumns have scattered the leaves upon my grave, the
pale face will claim our hunting grounds.
Aepgin, King of the Mahicans.
To quote from a British writer, the "Comet" of Henry Bell on the Clyde in 1812, was the first example of a steamboat brought into serviceable use within European waters, and the writer incidentally added that steam navigation in Britain took practical form almost on the spot where James Watt, the illustrious improver of the steam engine was born. The word "improver" is well put. It has much to do with the story of many inventions. The labor of Fitch was far-reaching in many directions, and it detracts nothing from Fulton's fame that the experiments of Fitch and Symington preceded his final triumph.