Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

SS Savannah and SS John Randolph

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2008

1. SS Savannah and SS John Randolph Marker

Inscription. The first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, the SS SAVANNAH, sailed from this harbor on May 22, 1819 and reached Liverpool 27 days later. The anniversary of her sailing, May 22, is celebrated as National Maritime Day. Captain Moses Rogers was her master. James Monroe, President of the United States, inspected the vessel here and was taken on a trial excursion on May 12. The Savannah Steamship Company (of which William Scarbrough was principal promoter,) fitter her with a 90 H.P. engine and boiler. She was of 330 tons burden, 98'6" long, 25'2" breadth, 12'11" draft, equipped with paddle-wheel, spars, and sails. She depended primarily upon sail power in the open seas. Before returning to Savannah she visited St. Petersburg, Crondstadt, and Stockholm.

The SS JOHN RANDOLPH, America's first successful iron steamship in commerce, was launched in this harbor July 9, 1834. Prefabricated in Birkenhead, England for Gazaway B. Lamar of Savannah, she was shipped in segments and assembled here. She was 100' long and 22' breadth. Unlike the SS SAVANNAH, she was an immediate commercial success in the river trade, and was the first of a great fleet of iron steamboats on the rivers of America.

Erected 1952 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

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• Notable Events • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #05 James Monroe, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1831.

Location. 32° 4.943′ N, 81° 5.58′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. Marker is on River Street near N Barnard Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Bartram Trail (a few steps from this marker); Settlement of Savannah (a few steps from this marker); Ships That Carried the Name Savannah (within shouting distance of this marker); The Propeller Club of the Port of Savannah (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "A World Apart" (about 300 feet away); Joel Chandler Harris in Savannah (about 400 feet away); Gen. Oglethorpe's Landing (about 500 feet away); Oglethorpe Bench (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Also see . . .
1. Joint Resolution of Congress Designating May 22 as National Maritime Day passed May 20, 1933

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 11, 2011

2. SS Savannah and SS John Randolph Marker

. (Submitted on March 25, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. Wikipedia entry for SS Savannah. World's largest passenger ship, 1819 – 1831 (Submitted on January 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

SS Savannah and SS John Randolph Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2008

3. SS Savannah and SS John Randolph Fountain

The Savannah left the port of Savannah, captained by Moses Rogers, on its famous voyage and arrived in Liverpool, England on June 20, the steam engine having been in use for part of the time on 18 days.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 21, 2005

4. SS Savannah and SS John Randolph Marker

SS Savannah at City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2008

5. SS Savannah at City Hall

This tablet commemorates the centenary of
the "Savannah"
The first steamship to cross the ocean
The idea of this enterprise originiated with William Scarborough and his associates, citizens of Savannah, and was financed by them.
The Savannah steamed out of this port on this great adventure for Liverpool on May 22, 1819 and arrived June 20, 1819
Francis Fickett, Builder, Moses Rogers, Captain

SS John Randolph Marker, at City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2008

6. SS John Randolph Marker, at City Hall

This tablet commerates
The "John Randolph"
the first iron vessel seen in American waters
Riveted together and launched here in 1834, the plates having been made by John Laird of Birkenhead, England, and shipped to this port in sections
Built for Gazaway B. Lamar, Banker and Cotton Merchant of Savannah.
The same great iron shipbuilder John Laird built in 1862 the Confederate Cruiser "ALABAMA"

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,296 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on September 13, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on January 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 6, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on January 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.