Ross Winans was a man of wide ranging interests, and his writings include political and religious tracts, extensive notes on his shipbuilding ventures, and his work as a water commissioner for the city of Baltimore. He was a fervent supporter of States Rights during the Civil War, and served in the Maryland House of Delegates. He was forcibly removed from a train by Federal troops as he was returning from a meeting of the Assembly in Frederick, and was interned briefly at Fort McHenry. He was also involved with a steam powered cannon, which was intercepted on its way south by Federal troops near the Thomas Viaduct at Relay, Maryland. He changed focus from steam locomotives to steam ships during the Civil War, building some in Maryland, and others in England Russia, and France. Of a unique design, the spindle-shaped Winans Cigar ship was Jules Verne's inspiration for the submarine Nautilus in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. A vast amount of dealings in railroads and war ships, was done with Imperial Russia. This fascinating and talented individual of wide ranging interests has not yet been treated to a comprehensive biography that does him justice. This isn't it, but might be a step along the way.
