Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-10-11

river steamer, in building at Messrs. FERRY g.
Sons Yard, on Ottawa Point, was launched on
Thursday last at o'clock p. M. The interest
of the community in her success was strongly
evinced by the crowd that assembled to witness
her first plunge into the deep. Her build and
model, so unlike anything that has yet floated
this Grand stream, has naturally called forth
many shades of opinion and predictions as to
her ultimate success as a desirable river boat.
1t may be we'll in this connection to give, as
briefly as we can, some idea of her model and
construction and leave the public to enlarge up
on their propheses until she establishes her
own history. She resembles in style the Ohio
river steamers. Built under the supervision of
JAMES MCCONNELL, Of Freedom, Penn, a
knowledge of the shoals of the Ohio river, and
the mode of navigating the same, has peculiar
ly fitted him for adapting boat to the wants
of this river-and this is claimed to have been
accomplished in the construction of the new
boat we are noticing The most difficulty in
the models of the several steamers now and
heretofore plying upon this river has been their
great draught, in consequence of lack of suf-
fcient surface to buoy them up. This has been
remedied in the new boat by breadth of beam
unknown to the navgators of this stream
Her whole length is l46 feet, breadth % feet.
She will be propelled by a stern wheel, driven
by two engines Of l6 inch cylinder and Al feet
stroke, supplied with three boilers 36 inches in
diameter and twenty feet in lenghth, with an
addition of supplying or Doctor engine" to
feed her boilers when the main engines are not
in motion, so that no rapidity of consumption in
generating steam can in any way hazard the boil
ers when thus provided for, in the supply of
water. The engines will be placed on her main
deck, near the stern, her boilers forward, from
which the steam will be carried to the former
in pipe passing under the second deck, so as
to give ample stowage for freight midships,
which with unusual room forward of her boil
ers will furnish "clean decks" for all ordinary
purposes. When necessary, she has a hold,
the whole size of her, 81 feet deep to meet any
exgency. Her cabins will occupy the entire
second deck save what may be taken up for Of
fees and promenade" forward, so that for am.
plitude of space, ventilation and comfort, her
cabins will surpass anything now floating this
river. We have no need to speak of her
strength and workmanship, a most unusual
combination Of mechanical art" in this respect
is the expression of more connoisseurs than
one, while to the cursory eye she presents that
harmony of design that assuredly classes her
as a thing of life." In addition to good work
and " full fastening" she is bound together by
chain and swivel" in such manner as to equal
ize whatever pressure or strain may be forced
upon her. We have thus at length given her
dimensions. To say that we have overstepped
in any degree the lines" of her merit would
be to withhold wha. is her due. Nobly she
sprang from the "stocks;" hesitating but mo-
ment on her Ways as if contemplating her
destiny, she gracefully swept upon the bosom
of her native element, unfolding her solve
Branch" to the yielding breeze.
She is found to draw but u inches water
and with her machinery and in motion will ride
in ID inches. We are unable to cay how soon
she will be ready for her trips as her engines
may cause some delay, but every exertion will
be made by the enterprsing building committee
, to accelerate her completion. She is built for
the river trade and to meet the peoples interest
We take no liberty, therefore, when we opne
her a Grand River Favorite"
Professor Morse is said TO have discovered
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