May Queen (Steamboat), 23 Mar 1853

THE MAY QUEEN. - We take from the Detroit Tribune the following description of this new and staunch steamer, newly built in that city. The paper says a more beautiful model it never saw, and strength seems not to be forgotten in her construction. Her keel is 216 feet 6 inches in length, beam 29 feet 7 inches, hold 11 feet, wheel 29 feet, with 8 feet bucket. The engine is to be built upon the most approved plan, with 75 inch cylinder, and 11 feet stroke. She is to be finished for the spring navigation. Her probable cost will be about $60,000. Capt. Richard Evans is to command her, and she is calculated to be a fast boat.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      March 23, 1853

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      The "MAY QUEEN" says the Detroit Democrat, will be ready for sailing about the 15th. of June. She is to run between Cleveland and Detroit, and will be on of the most beautiful as well as swift boats that plough the waters of our lake John Owen and Capt. Ira Davis are her owners, and A.C. Bovee is builder. She will be commanded by Capt. J. Evans. Her dimensions are:- Length 217 feet 6 inches; beam 29 feet 9 inches; depth of hold 11 feet, diameter of wheel 29 feet; bucket 8 feet; diameter of cylinder 45 finches; stroke, 11 feet; draught 5 1/2 feet.
      Buffalo Daily Courier
      May 19, 1853
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THE "MAY QUEEN." -- This beautiful steamboat came into port for the first time, this morning. She is admirably adapted for the business of the Cleveland and Detroit line, in which she is to run. In beauty of model, elegance of furniture and finish, and accommodations for the comfort of passengers, she is not surpassed by any boat we have seen afloat. The Detroit Tribune says:
      She was built at Trenton, by Capt. E. Bates, under the supervision of Capt. Davis and is owned by Messrs. John Owen, Capt. Davis and Capt. Evans. She is about the size of the OCEAN, being 220 feet length of keel, 29 feet 8 inches breadth of beam, 11 feet depth of hold, and measures about 700 tons. Her engine , which is an excellent one, was built by Messrs. Degraff & Kendrick. It is 11 feet stroke, and 45 inches in diameter, and is supplied with steam from a very large, heavy and well built low pressure boiler. Her furniture is of the right description, the floors of her saloon being covered with finest velvet tapestry; her sofa and chairs are rosewood (no initiation) upholstered with a splendid tapestry plush.
Her accommodations for passengers are of the best. She has 50 state rooms on her saloon deck, 34 of which are double bedded rooms, 6 bedrooms elegantly fitted up on her main deck, opening out of the Ladies cabin, and 50 berths in the lower cabin. Reversing, in some degree, the usual order of things about a steamer, her steerage cabin is in the fore hold, generally fitted up for a forecastle, for the men, while the crew are furnished with good and comfortable rooms on the main deck, forward of the wheel house. She carries a crew of "picked" men, under the command of gentlemen in whom the public have confidence. Her officers are:
      R.G. Graves, late of the FASHION, Captain.
      Edward Veisia, 1 st. Mate
      D. Carter, late of the BAY CITY, Clerk.
      Mr. Rhodes, late of the EMPIRE, Steward.
      Joseph Cook, Engineer.
Another important feature, which should command the admiration of the public, is that no intoxicating drinks are to be allowed on board. The saloon will be kept on strictly Maine Law principles. Passengers need have very little fear of explosions or collisions, as long as the great cause of a large share of those disasters is banished from the boat.
      Buffalo Daily Courier
      July 1, 1853
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

NOTE:-- The two articles above have a big difference in engine specs.