Ericsson, John

(1803-1889), born in Sweden, early in life gave promise of great achievements in invention. He came to the United States in 1839, and in 1841 produced the war steamer ‘‘ Princeton,” which revolutionized the navies of the world. During the Civil War he was employed in building monitors; the first of which, the ‘‘ Monitor,” destroyed the Confederate ironclad ‘‘ Merrimac” in 1862. He is the author of a great number of valuable inventions, the most important of which are connected with engines and naval equipments.