The SS Savannah made maritime history as it departed from Savannah, Georgia, on a pioneering mission to cross the Atlantic Ocean as the first steamship. Designed to be an amalgamation of sailing and steam propulsion, the ship was a significant engineering achievement of its time, reflecting the burgeoning Industrial Revolution's influence on maritime practices. Captained by Moses Rogers, the SS Savannah was equipped with a steam engine that could assist its sails, potentially altering seafaring norms. The ship's journey was not just a demonstration of technological innovation but also a quest for efficiency in transatlantic travel, which was crucial for commerce and communication in an expanding world during the early 19th century.

As the SS Savannah sailed from Georgia toward Liverpool, England, it encountered both excitement and skepticism. Proponents of steam propulsion heralded its voyage as a new dawn in transportation, while traditionalists viewed it with caution. The ship's journey lasted 29 days, which was an impressive feat for the period, though its primary propulsion method remained reliance on sails. Upon reaching its destination, the ship garnered attention, but its practical implications for future travel were yet to be fully realized. Despite its innovations, many considered it to be more a experiment in practicality than a consistently viable mode of cross-Atlantic transport.

After arriving in Europe, the SS Savannah was celebrated by spectators and received a mix of applause and critical scrutiny. Its journey demonstrated the potential of steam power in the medium of long-distance travel and laid the groundwork for subsequent steam-powered ships. Although the ship itself was not an immediate commercial success, it sparked interest and experimentation in steam propulsion that would evolve maritime technology significantly in the decades that followed.