The American steamship SS Savannah made the first transatlantic crossing by a steam-powered vessel, sailing from Savannah, Georgia, to Liverpool, England, in May-June 1819. Although primarily a sailing ship, it used its steam engine for part of the journey, demonstrating the potential of steam for ocean travel. This voyage, while largely symbolic, captured the public imagination and heralded the age of the steamship.

The Savannah's voyage is a key event in the history of maritime literature, a period when the sea and ships were central metaphors for the journey of life. The idea of a ship powered by 'fire' rather than wind was a source of both wonder and fear, inspiring poets to contemplate the power of human invention over the natural elements.