From 1815, a shuntable warship
This is the “Demologos”, operated in the early 19th Century by the US Navy. It was noteworthy for several reasons. It was designed by the famous American engineer Robert Fulton, and was the world’s first steam-powered warship. It was a catamaran, with the paddle-wheel being located between the two hulls. The hulls were double-ended, as the craft was meant to move equally well in either direction.
The reason for that was because the “Demologos” was a floating “battery”, and was meant to be stationed inside a harbour to fend off attacks by approaching enemy vessels. When originally designed and built, it was a purely steam-powered vessel. Soon after its launch in 1815, and at the suggestion of its commander, Captain David Porter, a sail plan was added. Porter indicated that “two stout masts should be erected to support lateen sails—that there should be bowsprits for jibs, and that she should be rigged in a corresponding style.” That sail arrangement allowed the craft to shunt with ease, and to keep stationary in the middle of a harbour, despite the changing winds and tides.
Unfortunately, overall, the craft was not a success. Built for a conflict that didn’t eventuate, the craft was never used in anger. It was commissioned in 1816 but by 1821 all the armament and machinery had been removed. An onboard gunpowder explosion in 1829 proved to be its demise.