Theodore Ruggles Timby (5 April 1819 – 9 November 1909) is credited as the inventor of the revolving gun turret that was used on the USS Monitor, the ironclad warship that fought in the American Civil War. He was born in Dutchess County, New York on April 5, 1819. Early in life, living in Cato Four Corners (later Meridian, in Cayuga County, New York), at the age of 16, he invented a method for raising ships out of the water for repairs by sinking a water-filled box beneath it, then forcing the water out through pumps in order to raise the ship.[1]
Throughout the 1840s, Timby perfected a revolving gun turret for use on land or water. He constructed a 21-foot-long (6.4 m) model and brought it to Washington but met with little success, as war was not imminent. However, with the outbreak of the Civil War, Timby brought his model to the Abraham LincolnWhite House, and this time met with a much warmer reception.
Meanwhile, a Swedish-born architect named John Ericsson had submitted a proposal to build an ironclad warship for the Union Navy. The Monitor was built for $195,000 and was sold to the Union Navy for $270,000. Timby received a 5 percent commission of $13,500.[2]
Timby spent much of his life in Saratoga Springs, New York, having moved there in 1860. He patented a wide variety of other inventions, such as a door sash, water wheel, paper cutter, needle case, and a globe clock that was sold in such numbers that some can be seen today on auction sites.[3]
There was an effort in the early 1900s to give credit to Timby for his turret invention. The Washington Post stated in 1909 shortly after his death that "John Ericsson has for years monopolized all of the credit for inventing and building the Monitor, but as a matter of fact he was joint inventor with Theodore Timby."[4]
A logo used by Timby
Referencesedit
^People's Book of Biography by James Parton, 1868, p. 233
theodore, timby, theodore, ruggles, timby, april, 1819, november, 1909, credited, inventor, revolving, turret, that, used, monitor, ironclad, warship, that, fought, american, civil, born, dutchess, county, york, april, 1819, early, life, living, cato, four, co. Theodore Ruggles Timby 5 April 1819 9 November 1909 is credited as the inventor of the revolving gun turret that was used on the USS Monitor the ironclad warship that fought in the American Civil War He was born in Dutchess County New York on April 5 1819 Early in life living in Cato Four Corners later Meridian in Cayuga County New York at the age of 16 he invented a method for raising ships out of the water for repairs by sinking a water filled box beneath it then forcing the water out through pumps in order to raise the ship 1 Theodore Ruggles TimbyBorn 1819 04 05 April 5 1819Dover Plains New York USDiedNovember 9 1909 1909 11 09 aged 90 Brooklyn New York USResting placeOak Hill Cemetery Washington D C Throughout the 1840s Timby perfected a revolving gun turret for use on land or water He constructed a 21 foot long 6 4 m model and brought it to Washington but met with little success as war was not imminent However with the outbreak of the Civil War Timby brought his model to the Abraham Lincoln White House and this time met with a much warmer reception Meanwhile a Swedish born architect named John Ericsson had submitted a proposal to build an ironclad warship for the Union Navy The Monitor was built for 195 000 and was sold to the Union Navy for 270 000 Timby received a 5 percent commission of 13 500 2 Timby spent much of his life in Saratoga Springs New York having moved there in 1860 He patented a wide variety of other inventions such as a door sash water wheel paper cutter needle case and a globe clock that was sold in such numbers that some can be seen today on auction sites 3 There was an effort in the early 1900s to give credit to Timby for his turret invention The Washington Post stated in 1909 shortly after his death that John Ericsson has for years monopolized all of the credit for inventing and building the Monitor but as a matter of fact he was joint inventor with Theodore Timby 4 A logo used by TimbyReferences edit People s Book of Biography by James Parton 1868 p 233 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle various issues 1902 Saratoga County History Invented in Saratoga County The Washington Post articles in 1902 and 1909External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Theodore Ruggles Timby Theodore Timby and the Revolving Turret New York Times Saratoga County Industries Railroads and Inventions nbsp This article about a person of the American Civil War is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Theodore Timby amp oldid 1223582811, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
