Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1858-04-29
The New Union Line Packet
Hen Lewis. .. H


One of the most beautiful and complete
steamboats, ever built at this or any other
port is the new Union Line steamer Ber
Lewis, just finished, and ready for busi.
ness at our Levee. Everything except.
ing the hull was built and furnished here
under the immediate superiniendencs Of
Capt.. Brierly, who mas watched every
piece of timber that went in her, from
her hull to the pilot house. The extreme
length of the Ben Lewis is 2l5 feet
keel 220 feet; beam 81 feet; hold 2
feet; floor 81 feet. She has four boilers
IS feet long and 40 inches in diameter
englnes with 2l l-2 inch cylinders, and
s feet stroke. Her wheels are 80 feet in
diameter, with 10 feet bucket She is
supplied with doctor, niggar boiler, Sc,
and the frelght-hoister and capstan are
all worked by steam. In fact the latest
Improvements in machinery have been
adopted. The boat has carrying capa-
city of 800 tons.
The hull of the Ben Lewis was built
by Geo. Rodgers, of Metropolis. Illinois.
1t is beautiful model, which. with her
powerful machinery, will make the Ben
Lewis the fastest boat, by far, that ever
turned wheel in the Missouri river.
There is no doubt of this, and Capt.
Brlerly informs US that she will be able
10 make the distance from ST. Louis to St.
Joseph in two days. She draws thirty
two inches light, with wood and water
aboard, aud her draughl will be sufficient
ly light to meet the exlgencies Of nayiga-
CATION in the Missouri at any time. The
cabin contains 50 rooms, and will accom-
modate leo passengers. The cabin Of
the Ben Lewis is beaaty-the great
feature Of the boat. as she lies at our
Levee, Under way it may be ecIIpsed
by her speed, for she will certainly prove
a clipper.
The cabin is very large, wide and
roomy; pure white, and is furnished
in magnificent style. The state rooms
are large, supplied with spring mattresses
and bedding of superior quality, and all
requisite toilet articles. The painting, a
most admirable job, was done by Messrs.
r, s w. A. Thornburgh, and they will
put il against anything ever executed for
style and finish.
AS The Ben Lewis is chiefly St. Louis
production, il will be proper to name the
various mechanics which combined to pro-
duce her: engines, by Gerard b. Allen I;
cabin, by John Pipe; carpets, &C., by
Wilcox & Mcdowell; curtain good. &C.,
by J. l.. Chandler & Co. chahng dishes
and outfit, by p. Locke; silverwsTe, by
Beauvias; mirrors and stained glasses,
by Miller and Boisaubon; furniture and
bar, BY John Simm, of Louisville.
The Ben Lewis is the fifth steamer
which Capt. Brierly has built He has
distributed his patronage to contractors
pretty well around, in the Ohio river and
at this place, and he informs US that he
prefers St. Louis for this kind Of mechan-
ism. His bes, boats have been built here,
and hereafter, if he should build again,
he will give his work to St. Louis arli-
zans. The builders Of the steamers FL
Paso, Polar Star, Martha Jeweu. Morn
ing Star aud Den Lewis, could not have
said more in favor of our mechanics.
TIE Ben Lewis is a shining evidence o:
this fact. Tae Ben Lewis will be officer
ed IS follows: T. II Briefly. command
er; w. B. Barkly, of Kansas City. clerk
Mr.. Van Welt, assistant; james Abbey,
steward; M, b. Wi'hrow. pilot; Samuel
Cowarden, mate, AMI Joel Allison. cngin.