Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-21
w. G. srEDMAv, City se1ton.

THE BARK WESTERN METROPOLIS
readers will remainder that the splendid
steamer Western Metropolis, which piled be-
tween this port and Buffalo for two SEASONS,
was converted into bark, her engines being
sent to New York. The Chicago Times, of
Friday has the following in regard to the ar
rival of the Western Metropolis at that port ::
" The debut of the Great Eastern in an
American port scarcely caused greater sen
satiOn than did the arrival of the new bark
Western Metropolis, in Chicago hsrbor yes
terday. She had been expected for two or
three days past, and about noon yesterday
the monster craft sailed into the harbor,
while thousands lined the wharves to get a
glimpse of her and during the day her decks
swarmed with those who were eager to ex-
anime the largest vessel that ever came into
Chicago water. The Western Metropolis was
built as q steamboat about seven years ago,
by J. W. Banta-then of Buffalo, but now of
Chicago-fOr the Michigan Southern Rail
road Company, to run between Toledo and
Buffalo. She was then pronounced and gen
orally conceded to be one Of the finest and
fastest steamers in the world. The enter
prise of running such large passenger boats
in competition with the railroad lines failed
however, and the Metropolis, after a brief
run, was laid aside.
/" few months ago she was purchased by
H. A. Frink of Buffalo, to be converted into
a mammoth vessel for carrying grain on the
lakes. The work Of cutting her down was
commenced on the sth of December last, and
was conducted under the direction Of Robert
Todd, her present first mate.
She left Buffalo on her first trip u Chica-
I a. or II okav,v,aI Iofn naNrofi
/ for three or four days, arriving here at noon
/ yesterday.
The Metropolis is l $50 tons burden, and
/ is estimated that she can carry about g., 900
bushels Of grain, making her capacity nearly
double that of any vessel engaged in the
| lake trade. Her dimensions are: length
/ $50 feet breadth of beam, 40 feet depth o.
hold IA feet. She carries about 5000 yard
Of canvas, and the officers informed our re-
porter that, large as she is, she sails splen
didly, and during the trip hither entirel!
outstripped all lighter craft that were il
sight. It was at first supposed that it wOulC
require a perfect gale of wind to move her
but upon trial it was found that she could
sail under light breeze, in consequence o
having such large spread of canvas.
The only question which can be raised as t
the probability Of her success in the lax
| trade IL Wnetner sne VIII not experience
some difficulty in crossing the fats, on st
Clair River, when loaded to the extent o
her huge capacity. Otherwise than this, sh
will undoubtedly prove complete success.
Her officers are as follows:
Captain-Charles P. MOrey.
First Mate-RObert Todd.
Second Mate-William NcCullum.
Third Mate-GeOrge MeClaird.
BOGtsWain-William McGee.
Captain Morey is young man, but an ez
perieneed navigator, and is part owner o
the vessel.
The Metropolis will depart on her retur
"Trip as soon as she can receive her cargo 0
oats, which is to be furnished her by Geerg
Ellison, Of this city, at six cents per bushel
At this rate full cargo would bring tn
handsome sum of about four thousand dol
lars.