The new schooner FLORA WATSON, built by Gay & Shupe, for W.A. Fox, of Buffalo, we observe, is lying in our basin and nearly ready to sail. This is the second vessel of her class which has been built and fitted out, during the past winter by the same parties. She is a fine craft, capable of carrying about 14,000 bushels of wheat, at 9 feet 5 inches draught of water, and for strength of timber, fastening and mechanical skill in the workmanship, and general arrangement of the vessel, has scarcely been equalled by any builder at any other point of the lakes, as we are informed by those whose judgment in such matters are entitled to credit. -- Milan Free Press
Buffalo Daily Republic
Monday, May 8, 1854
Our enterprising neighbors of Milan have just fitted out their second vessel this season for the lakes. The Free Press thus speaks of her: -- "The new schooner FLORA WATSON, built by Gay & Shupe for W. A. Fox, of Buffalo, we observe is lying in our basin and nearly ready to sail. -- This is the second of her class which has been built and fitted out during the past winter by the same parties. She is a fine craft, capable of carrying about 14,000 bushels of wheat, at nine feet five inches draught of water; and for strength of timber, fastening and mechanical skill in the workmanship, and general arrangement of the vesel, has scarcely been equalled by any builders at any other point on the lakes, as we are informed by those whose judgement in such matters are entitled to credit. The vessel built after the same model as the FLORA WATSON, as we are informed by those whose experience in sailing enables them to speak from record, have not only very great carrying capacities, but have also proven to be equal at all points to the best working vessels on our lakes." --- Sandusky Register.
Buffalo Daily Republic
Thursday, May 11, 1854
CAPACIOUS VESSEL - The FLORA WATSON a new schooner built at Milan, is at anchor in the river. She is built entirely for freight, being but 108 feet in length, and drawing only 9 feet of water when laden with a whole cargo of corn, of which it is calculated she will carry 14,500 bushels. She is light and on her way up to Chicago. -- Detroit Democrat
Buffalo Daily Republic
Thursday, May 18, 1854
NOTE - The length of 108 feet may not be correct, the type of the middle number being damaged.
