Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. Little is known about this patent. There are no patent drawings available. This patent is in the database for reference only.

Among the early attempts in constructing propelling machinery, plans precisely similar in principle, and in arrangement nearly the same, with the present, were devised and essayed.- An endless chain in the middle, or one on each side of a boat, is to be made to pass from stem to stern by the revolution of wheels, around which they are strained. Between each joint of the chain is fixed a bucket, or float, in order that a row of them may act upon the water, horizontally, at the same time. The construction of the chain, the wheels, and other parts, in the present plan, manifest much skill, but still we see nothing in it which can secure to it the character of novelty, or remove the difficulties which have heretofore caused this mode of propelling to be abandoned.

The claim is “the construction of chain paddle wheels for propelling boats, as herein described.”

Journal of the Franklin Institute Vol 6 1830 pg 4

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