Milwaukee (Steamboat), 21 Nov 1858

TWO LARGE STEAMERS TO BE BUILT HERE. --We understand that the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway Company have entered into contract with Bidwell & Mason of this city, for the building of two Ocean Steamers of the following description: -
      Length 235 feet, beam 34 feet, cylinder 60 inches in diameter and 12 feet stroke. The saloon on deck will be full length of the ship. They will be masted and rigged on the sea-going principle, everything connected with the safety and comfort of passengers will be carefully attended to, all their equipment being of first class order. They will be built according to specifications, and under the eye of an experienced superintendent. The engine and boilers are to be built at the Shepard's Iron Works in this city. We are informed that the work on these steamers will commence immediately, and will thus afford employment to a very large class of mechanics who have been idle, or only worked on short time for over a year. This branch of trade has probably suffered more than all others put together since the revulsion commenced. Not a vessel has been launched from our yards in over a year, and the only business done has been repairing what few vessels absolutely needed it, owners doing as little as possible. The steamers are intended to connect the Western Terminus of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway, at Grand Haven, with Milwaukee, and are to be ready to take their place in the spring. They are to cost between $250,000 and $300,000, the greatest portion of which amount will be spent in this city during the coming winter, as all of the work is to be done here.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Saturday, November 20, 1858


THE NEW STEAMBOATS. -- We were in error on Saturday in stating that they were contracted for the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway Company, says the Courier. Though intended for this route, they are to be owned by private individuals, who, for the present, do not wish their names made public. Their construction will be entirely under the superintendence of Julius Movius, Esq., the agent of the Great Western and Detroit and Milwaukee Railways in this city, who has been indefatigable in his efforts to procure the building of these vessels in Buffalo, and is entitled to the warmest thanks of our mechanics and the public at large, for the interest he has taken in the matter.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Monday, November 22, 1858