Illinois (Steamboat), 27 Jan 1837

MORE SHIPPING. -- The new schooner OTTAWA, of Maumee, 150 tons burthen, is out on her first trip. The keel of a new steamboat of large dimensions, to be called the MARENGO, has been laid at Marengo, on Maumee Bay. The steamboat ILLINOIS, 755 tons burthen, is to be launched at Detroit on the 23d inst. She will be the largest boat ever put afloat on the western lakes. The MAJOR OLIVER, is the name of a new schooner of 150 tons burthen, just arrived at our port from Toledo.
      Cleveland Daily Herald & Gazette
      Monday, September 19, 1837

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A NOBLE SHIP -- THE ILLINOIS. -- We are happy to learn that a new and splendid Steam Ship, far surpassing any thing that has yet been put afloar on our western waters, is now building at the ship yard of O. Newberry in this city. We have been favored with the following description of the vessel.
      Length of keel 194 feet
      Length on deck 200 feet
      Depth of hold 13 feet
      Breadth of beam 30 feet
      Breadth including guards 60 feet
      Burthen about seven hundred tons
      She will be propelled by a low pressure engine from the manufactory of James P. AIlaire, of New-York, of the following dimensions:
Diameter of cylinder, 26 inches.
Length of stroke, 10 feet.
Diameter of water wheel, 23 feet.
The vessel we are informed will be ready by the first of August next. For the last season, the business on the Lake has far exceeded the capacity of the shipping, notwithstanding the great increase of the latter. The disproportion will be probably quite as great next season. At such a time the constriuction of such a vessel as the ILLINOIS cannot fail to be equally profitable to the owners and the public, as well as creditable to our city. ---- Detroit Adv.
      Black Rock Advocate
      January 27, 1837 p. 3, c. 1

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      The ILLINOIS, 765 tons burthen. the largest, and intended to be the most splendid steamboat on the Lakes will be launched at Detroit on the 23d last.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      Monday, September 18, 1837

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