Idaho (Propeller), U12069, 13 Jun 1863

A MODEL LAKE STEAMER. - The Cleveland Herald gives a description of the IDAHO, a new passenger screw steamer which is now in port, having just been completed at the yard of Peck & Masters, Cleveland. The IDAHO is a model of it class of vessels, and is destined to take the first place in the passenger business of the lakes. She is built for Dean Richmond, Sheldon Pease, Henry A. Richmond and J.M. Richmond, and her construction has proceeded under the constant supervision of Mr. Pease. The Herald says:-
      She is one of the large screw boats, being, by Custom House measurement of 220 61-100 feet long, 13 72-100 feet deep, 31 42-100 feet wide, and with a burthen of 915 45-95 tons. Her model promises a combination of beauty, speed, and great carrying qualities. Her frame is as strong as wood and iron can make it. The bow is protected by heavy iron plates, so that she can run late in the season, without the slightest danger from ice.
      The engine, which is of great power and handsomely finished, with every modern improvement, was designed by Mr. J.F. Holloway, and built at the Cuyahog Furnace. She has one powerful Philadelphia wheel.
      Her cabins are, we think, equalt to, if not a little ahead of anything on the lakes. The main cabin and ladies cabin are spacious and elegantly furnished. The state rooms average larger than those on the "floating palaces" that were considered the 'ne plus ultra' of steamboat comfort, and are fitted up in equally luxurious style. No pains or cost have been spared to give the traveling public the most luxurious accommodations that could be provided. The IDAHO is emphatically a splendid, first-class, passenger steamer, and a few such boats as her will bring back to the lakes a large amount of summer travel. Nothing can be more attractive than a trip by such a steamer along the chain of the Great Lakes from Buffalo to Chicago, every comfort and luxury of first-class hotel life being combined with healthy breezes and an ever varying panorama of lovely scenery.
      The furniture and upholstery of the IDAHO, were furnished by Wm. Hart, and the plumbing, &c. by Parish & Knight.
      Her officers are, Captain A.B. Conkey, late of the WINONA; 1st. Mate, Mr. Woodward; 1st. Engineer, Charles Whitman; Steward, James A. Bailey.
      The IDAHO was built for the N.Y. Central Railroad, Buffalo, Cleveland and Chicago Line of steamers. Her agents here will be Bond & Morris. She left for Buffalo last night, and will at once take her place on the line.
      Buffalo Daily Courier
      Saturday, June 13, 1863

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      THE STEAMER IDAHO. - We gave on Saturday, a brief description from the Cleveland Herald of the new screw steamer IDAHO, which leaves here for the upper lakes, with a load of passengers and freight, tonight. A visit to the vessel on Saturday, when she was thrown open for public inspection, speedily convinced us that the subject had not been exhausted in the Herald's account. As we have already mentioned, the IDAHO was built at Cleveland for Dean Richmong, Sheldon Pease, Henry A. and J.M. Richmond, and under the immediate personal supervision of Mr. Pease. That gentleman, old lake navigators will remember, was of the firm of Pease & Allen, who built the EMIGRANT, one of the three first propeller ever launched on these waters. He has now aided to turn out a vessel which represents the highest development yet reached of the business then inaugurated The IDAHO is designed primarily to attract the passenger buisness which, lately, has almost deserted the water route to the West, and its appointments are arranged with this purpose in view. A hundrew cabin passengers and fifty steerage passengers can find quarters in her capacious model. For the cabin passengers, the accommodations are such as to place in the shade anything hitherto attempted in a propeller, and to recall to mind the splendor of the "floating palaces" of a by-gone day. Sixteen double and eight single state rooms are fitted up with an elegance which quite matches anything in the old WESTERN METROPOLIS. In each of the double rooms especially, a party might sojourn, enjoying all the fomforts of a snug little dwelling, parlor and bed-room included, A roomy 'nursery' department, affords convenience for ladies and children never before secured on board a lake vessel, in our remembrance, and a washing-room for gentlemen is also ahead of anything of the kind we have seen. The parlors or saloons of the IDAHO are sumptuously furnished, and suggest the jolliest kind of times to be had hereafter o' nights, by happily inclined travellers up the lakes.
      But the ornamental by no means has a monopoly on board the IDAHO. Her immense size gives her a hold capable of receiving 8,000 barrels, and in every feature of her construction, strength and durability have been secured and made doubly sure. Many of the measures taken to obtain so vast a superiority in this respect as is possessed by the IDAHO, are adopted in her for the first time, and cannot be found in any other lake craft afloat on the lakes. The engine, which is of course low pressure, is a picture of strength and beauty. It has a 54-inch cylinder with 40-inch stroke. The boiler is 23 feet long with 10 1/2 feet diameter of shell, and has 7 direct flues returning through 192 3 1/2 inch flues. It is built of unusual thickness and strength, and is furnished with water and steam guages. The wheel is of Philadelphia pattern. An independent donkey engine is also among the equipment of the vessel, which can be used to work the fire machinery, as well as to hoist freight.
      Altogether we can recommend the IDAHO as a vessel on which a swift, safe and right pleasant trip can be made. For such as can spare four days for the journey to Chicago, she will ensure a good time, as well as transportation.
      Buffalo Daily Courier
      Monday, June 15, 1863

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THE "IDAHO" -- The Detroit Free Press, of Thursday, alludes to the arrival of the IDAHO at that port, as follows:
      This fine steamer made her appearance here yesterday on her first upward bound trip, and from our knowledge of such things, we do not hesitate to pronounce her one of the finest steamers at present afloat on Western waters. Her accommodations, we will venture to state, are superior to any others we have yet visited. Her cabins are superbly furnished, with state rooms spacious and highly finished. Her length is 220 feet; depth 13 feet, with 31 feet beam. She is commanded by Captain Conkey, formerly of the WENONA, who has had many years experience on the lakes. The IDAHO runs in connection with Buffalo, Cleveland and Chicago line of steamers.
      Buffalo Evening Courier & Republic
      Monday, June 22, 1863



Steam screw IDAHO. U. S. No. 12069. Of 1110,97 tons gross; 906.80 tons net. Built Cleveland, Ohio 1863. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. 220.5 x 32.0 x 12.3
      Merchant vessel List, U. S., 1897