Ralph Johnson (Canal Boat), 1 Apr 1845

Messrs. Van Slyke, Allen & Co. have completed at their yard the largest boat ever launched upon the canal. It is 80 ft. long and 14.5 ft. wide, and is measured at 160 tons when upon the river - being capable of carrying 80,000 ft. of lumber, secured below deck. She is called the PHILADELPHIA, and is owned by O. Bugbee of this city, and is designed exclusively for the lumber trade between Albany and Philadelphia. She is, we understand to be launched this afternoon.
At the same yard on Tuesday afternoon, a beautiful boat of 80 tons was launched, called the ANN HAZARD, for Monteith & Hazard. They have also on the stocks, and nearly completed, two other boats, one for C. DeWitt of Schenectady called the RALPH JOHNSON and the other for the Fulton Line of messrs. Ward & Co., of this city, which is to be christened the GRACE DARLING. These boats are all of a most beautiful model, and constructed with the modern improvements, and are most excellent specimens of boat building.
      National Daily Pilot
      Thursday, April 10, 1845