Wisconsin (Steamboat), 18 Sep 1843

We are authorized to announce that Capt. Randall will on the 6th day of September next at 4:00 in the afternoon, launch his mammoth steamboat WISCONSIN, which has been under repairs in this port since the close of navigation last fall.
The WISCONSIN is now one of the largest boats on our internal waters. Her keel has been lengthened 65 ft., so that her length of deck is now about 240 ft., and she measures upwards of 1,200 tons. Her other improvements correspond to her increased length.
Although the WISCONSIN was always a favorite with Capt. Randall, he is now more delighted with her than ever before. He has had his superintending eye on her constantly from morning till night since she has been under repair, and he has everything about her done to his liking. If she realizes his intentions and expectations, which we believe she will, the WISCONSIN will be in all respects the Queen of the Lakes, as Capt. R. is the prince of
the steamboat captains.
Great care has been taken in repairing the WISCONSIN, to give her strength. Those who wish to see the tons of iron bolts and bars, and hewn forests of timber, that have been worked into her for that purpose, will do well to visit her before the launch. She will be open to the inspection of the visitors at all hours between now and the launch, and we are sure that it will give Capt. Randall pleasure to wait upon them. - Detroit Free Press
      Daily Courier and Economist
      August 31, 1843

      . . . . .
     
Steamboat WISCONSIN.-- This splendid boat will be so far completed as to make a trip to Buffalo in a few days.
We cannot better describe her than by re-publishing the following article of the 22d February last: The steamboat WISCONSIN, which from the early close of navigation has been laid up at this port, is now undergoing through repair, and a most extensive enlargement. when these are completed, she will be not only one of the finest, but as we are assured, absolutely the largest boat in the world. She will exceed in capacity and tonnage, even the far famed EMPIRE which was launched a short time ago at New York, for the navigation of the North River, and which was heralded forth in the Eastern papers, as surpassing all others. Detroit will, therefore, retain its old superiority in the Steamboat line.
We are very ill-qualified to give an intelligible description of a ship or steamboat, but from the data that has been furnished us , we may be able to convey some idea of the proposed dimensions and arrangements of the WISCONSIN. The length of her keel will be 234 feet 4 inches; extreme length on her deck 245 feet 7 inches; breadth of beam 29 feet 8 inches; breadth, including guards, 53 feet; depth of hold 13 feet 9 inches; tonnage, 1004 and 57/95 tons. Whole length of cabin on the upper deck, including the dining hall, saloon and social cabin-- 182 feet -- dining hall being 65 feet; ladies and gentlemen's hall 43 1/2 feet, saloon 30 feet. Around the dining hall, saloon, and social hall, on the upper deck, will be 42 staterooms, of which 20 will be very large, each containing 2 double berths, and the remaining twenty two containing three single berths.
The main deck contains a lady’s cabin, aft, 32 feet in length, and arranged in similar fashion ...
      Detroit Daily Advertiser
      September 18, 1843


      The WISCONSIN. -- This immense steamer arrived in our harbor on Saturday morning. She has been laid up at Detroit during the season, and has undergone a thorough repair and enlargement. She is now the largest boat which floats upon the western waters, and among the first in the world in point of size. Her dimensions are:
      Feet Inches
      Length of keel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 4
      Extreme length on deck . . . . . . . . . 245 7
      Breadth of beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 8
      Breadth, including guards . . . . . . . . 58
      Depth of hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 9
      Length of cabin on the upper deck. .182
      Dining hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
      Ladies' and Gentlemen's hall . . . . . 43 6
      Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
      She is rated at 1004,57-95 tons, custom house measurement. Around the dining hall, saloon, and social hall, on the upper deck, will be forty-two state rooms, of which twenty will be very large, each containing two double berths, and the remaining twenty-two, containing each three single berths.
      The main deck contains a ladies' cabin, aft, 32 feet in length, and arranged similar to that of the ILLINOIS; two steerage cabins forward of the wheel, on each guard, each 60 feet long, with steerage state rooms adjoining. Below deck, aft, are a gentlemen's cabin, some 50 feet long, a freight hold about 100 feet in length, and a large wood hold, sufficient to carry all the fuel below. And to move all this vast fabric, is a tremendous engine, of 400 horse power, together with a wheel 27 feet 6 inches in diameter.
      Captain Randall, who will have command of this immense craft, has superintended personally her fitting up and enlargement. She is not yet finished or furnished, which is to be done here. It is anticipated that the WISCONSIN will be one of the fastest boats on the lake, notwithstanding her great bulk and tonnage.
      Buffalo Daily Gazette
      October 16, 1843