In 1840, Richard Boyman Boyman, a London solicitor, published a strange concoction relating mainly to the history of steam navigation. This little-known work is one of the early publications which sought to establish William Symington's place as the inventor and introducer of a practical and effective system of steam boat propulsion. A section in his compilation relates to "Symington's inventions." However, these inventions were those of William Symington's son. 

Boyman's work borrows freely from the 1833 Bowie Narrative and the illustrations are copied from the figures Symington's son had published in the Mechanics' Magazine.  Boyman was so heavily reliant on information from Bowie and William Symington that his publication is in the form of a compilation rather than an original work. 

At the time of publication, a precedent was evolving of seeking financial reward for inventions which had contributed to the good of the community.  William Symington had applied to Treasury for a financial reward for his invention.

In his section on the "Rise and Progress of Steam Navigation", Boyman examines the origins of steam navigation and dismisses the absurd claims of James Taylor and his supporters and affirms that William Symington was the first to demonstrate the practical application of steam power in navigation.

The emphasis on William Symington junior's inventions would imply he was Boyman's amanuensis or at least that Boyman was his spokesman in seeking belated compensation for William Symington's widow and family. Boyman Boyman was in fact William Symington junior's solicitor. Acting in that capacity, he published a notice in the London Gazette in 1836 of an intent to modify the title of his 1835 patented invention of "certain improvements in the machinery for propelling vessels by steam etc.", in order to separate that part of the description which related to windmills. [1]  Boyman Boyman entered into a business partnership with Dr. Bowie and William Symington junior relating to "certain improvements in the machinery for propelling vessels by steam" which Symington had patented.  [2] 

Known as Boyman Boyman, Richard Boyman Boyman 1806-1880 was a London solicitor who had an interest in naval engineering. He had offices in King William Street and was an early member of the City Club in Broad street.  He was also an inventor of sorts, devoted to scientific pursuits. He designed a rigid airship 1320 feet long [3] [4] and he invented a method of propulsion of vessels using a steam jet. [5]

He assumed the surname of his maternal grandfather Richard Boyman, [6] a wealthy retired sea captain and ship and property owner who died in 1836 aged 91. One of several codicils to his grandfather's will determined he would inherit property at Whitechapel on condition that he married one of the daughters of Mr. John Alliston, his long-time friend and solicitor. [7] Boyman Boyman did indeed marry Eliza Alliston 1811-1859 but his elderly maiden aunts challenged the validity of the codicils. Concern was raised because Boyman Boyman was the solicitor who drafted the codicils. No attempt to defraud was ascertained but the court's decision was in favour of the aunts. [8]

Richard Boyman Boyman died at St Leonards-on-Sea on 11 April 1880. In his will, Boyman Boyman stated that he had devoted many years to scientific pursuits, chiefly relating to propulsion, and he alleged he discovered an important principle, namely "that the principle of reaction is the only method of propulsion in water and in air." [9]

NOTES ON BOYMAN'S TREATISE 

Boyman, Boyman, Steam Navigation, Its Rise and Progress, with authentic tables of the extent of the steam marine of all parts of the globe, contrasted with the steam power of the British Empire; Imperfections of the present system of steam navigation, and Symington's Inventions.  A.H. Baily & co., London 1840.

There is no logical sequence to Boyman's treatise which includes a section on the history of steam navigation and which also features "Symington's Inventions", as specified in the title. However, these inventions are by William Symington's son and one invention, that of a horizontal windmill has no relevance to steam navigation. The chapters of this wordy concoction are thrown together piecemeal. In a lengthy "apologetical preface", the author does admit that his erratic presentation is open to criticism. A pity he did not take the trouble to prepare a more cohesive publication.

Boyman Boyman borrowed freely from Robert Bowie's Brief Narrative and the illustrations are taken from the plates which William Symington junior had published in the Mechanics' Magazine. The frontispiece "William Symington The Inventor of Steam Navigation" is the etching from William Symington's post mortem bust; there are three illustrations of William Symington's inventions: Figure I Steam Carriage - 1786; Figure II First Boat moved by Steam on British Waters. Twin Boat- 1788-9; Figure III The Charlotte Dundas, The First Steam Boat that Took a Vessel in Tow- 1801-2-3.

Boyman Boyman's work is now very scarce. Despite its deficiencies, this work is an interesting relic which promotes the views of William Symington's son and Dr. Bowie in relation to the origins of  effective steamboat propulsion. Bennet Woodcroft provided a more complete and balanced account in his A Sketch Of The Origin And Progress Of Steam Navigation From Authentic Documents which was published in 1848.

[1] London Gazette Issue 19384 20 May 1836 Page 891

[2] London Gazette 18 May 1845 page 1650

[3] The Engineer 1867 and 1873 Patent Journal Index ("Propelling"; "Rotary engines"; 

[54 Journal of the Society of Arts 8 March 1867 Volume XV page 252

[5] Journal of the Society of Arts 8 March 1867 Volume XV page 252

[6] The London Gazette 1819 Volume 1 Page 1023

[7] NA PROB 11/1900/219

[8] Alliston and Boyman v Boyman and Boyman The Monthly Law Magazine and Political Review Volume 3 October 1838-January 1839 pages 269-273

[9] Reported in Glasgow Evening Citizen 18 June 1880 page 2 (and in other newspapers)