William Symington
William Symington (1763-1831) was born in Leadhills, but
lived and worked for most of his life in Wanlockhead. He is the
inventor of the first steam powered ship, the engine for which was
built at the Old Manse, Wanlockhead. Exactly how his ideas were
taken up by Henry Bell and Robert Fulton, who are credited with the
invention of steam navigation, is shrouded in mystery. William
returned to Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire where he continued to make
pumping engines but he died in London an impoverished and
embittered genius.