Western World (Steamboat), 21 Apr 1854

We are informed that the steamer WESTERN WORLD, of the Michigan Central Line will be launched tomorrow morning, at Messrs. Jones' yard. W.D. Walbridge's propeller, will also be launched from Messrs. Bidwell & Banta's during the forenoon tomorrow.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Friday, April 14, 1854

      . . . . .

Owing to the low stage of water in the Creek, neither the steamer WESTERN WORLD or the propeller ORIENTAL were launched this morning.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Saturday, April 15, 1854


      . . . . .
The mammoth stm. WESTERN WORLD was launched at 10:30. She went into the water without accident; neither seam nor joint was strained. Her draught is very light, being much less than was expected. Her Commander is to be Capt. C.C. Stanard, one of the oldest and most popular Captains on the lakes. Mr. G.S. Wormer, who was last year Steward of the MAYFLOWER, is to take the same situation on the WESTERN WORLD, was presented on the occasion, with a small leaf of bread, 4 ft. 7 inches in length, and 1 ft. 3 wide, of the best flour, by Messrs. Mugridge & Clarke. Several baskets of Champaigne, opened by Mr. Wormer added their flavor to the morning's festivities; and as he on this occasion remembered his friends, they on others will remember him. Altogether, the launch proved a pleasant one.
The PLYMOUTH ROCK and WESTERN WORLD will be ready to take their place on the line of the Michigan Central Railroad about the first of June.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      April 18, 1854 3-2



      The magnificent stm. WESTERN WORLD was launched yesterday at 11:00. The day was quite pleasant overhead, and the occasion attracted a larger concourse of spectators than we have seen at anything of the kind heretofore, a large proportion being ladies.
The work of cutting away the blocks was commenced about 9:00. At a quarter before 11:00 that part of the preliminaries was completed, and nothing remained but to cut the ropes which, fore and aft held the braces. After ascertaining that all was right, the word was given, the cords were severed, and in a moment the magnificent vessel rushed down the ways, full broadside on, rolling up a tremendous wave as she entered the water, which in its movement to the opposite side of the creek came near capsizing a couple of schooners, but fortunately did no other damage than to cause a little tumbling and a little fright to those who were on their decks. The water thus driven up returned, and with such force as to flow some distance up the banks, rendering it necessary for those who stood there to make a hasty and rather ridiculous retreat. The launch, however, was quite exciting. Everything went well. The risk unavoidable from launching so large a craft sideways, was great, but not a bolt nor seam were started. No steamer of anything like the size of the WESTERN WORLD has been thus launched with so much machinery in her.
      The WESTERN WORLD and the PLYMOUTH ROCK will be pushed forward to a speedy completion, and in a few weeks take their place in the Michigan Central Railroad Line. - Buff. Courier, Thursday.
      Detroit Free Press
      April 21, 1854