Penn's Landing in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
1754
This early version of the modern marine chronometer resolved the problem in navigation on determining longitude accurately. It increased the efficiency and safety of maritime trade and travel, which directly affected the prosperity of the port of Philadelphia. Designed by John Harrison, the "Number Four Timepiece" won him, in 1773, a £10,000 prize offered by Parliament.
Philadelphian John Fitch designed and successfully sailed the first steam-driven boat in 1786.
An East Prospect of the City of Philadelphia. Detail of an engraving after Scull and Heap. From an engraving in the Mariners' Museum, Newport News, Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1754.
Location. 39° 56.819′ N, 75° 8.42′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Penn's Landing. It is on South Christopher Columbus Boulevard north of Walnut Plaza, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia
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Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Growth of the City / The Trees of the City (here, next to this marker); Philadelphia Firsts (a few steps from this marker); 1702 (a few steps from this marker); William Penn's Philadelphia (within shouting distance of this marker); 1840 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Growth of the City / The Trees of the City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Liberation of Jane Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Pennsylvania Nautical School & Pennsylvania Maritime Academy, 1889 - 1947 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 12 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 1, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
