Sail-to-Steam

Steam Battery Demologos (later Fulton) (1814) Drawing by her designer, Robert Fulton, November 1813, showing the ship's general arrangement.

The Navy started experimenting with steam-powered ships as early as the War of 1812.

Sail-to-Steam Era

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Although the Navy started experimenting with steam as early as the War of 1812, steam-powered ships were required to have sails until the 1880s. The Navy transitioned away from sails in the 1890s with the first battleships.

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Sail-to-Steam Era