Chili (Propeller), U127078, 1 May 1895

LAUNCH OF THE CHILI
      Miss Jennie Drake, Daughter of Capt. Marcus M. Drake, the Managing Owner,
      Christened the Steel Steamer.
      The launch of the big steel steamer CHILI at the yard of the Cleveland Ship Building Company on Saturday afternoon was a success in every respect. She was built for Capt. Marcus M. Drake of this city and others living in Chicago and Pittsburgh.
      The docks on both sides of the river in the vicinity of the ship yard were crowded with people, says the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and the number that turned out to, see the big carrier slide into the water was probably the largest that ever witnessed a launch at the Cleveland yard.
Miss Jennie Drake, daughter of Capt. M. Drake, managing owner of the boat, performed the christening ceremony. Among the large crowd that witnessed the launch were Capt. Drake, Miss Drake, Mr. Edward Maytham, Capt. James Gibson of Buffalo, Mr. William Dickinson of Chicago, Mr. A. B. Wooloin of Duluth and Capt. David Vance of Milwaukee.
The new steamer is 342 feet long over all; the length from the forward side of the stem to the after side of the stern post is 324 feet, beam 42 feet and depth 27 feet. She has four feet sheer forward and two feet sheer aft. There are 10 hatches eight feet wide by 29 feet long, spaced 24 foot centers. The water bottom is 4 1/2 feet deep, and is divided into eight watertight compartments.
The lower hold is divided into three separate water-tight compartments. Four cargo gangways on each side of the ship, with shutters made of one plate each, with special arrangement for hanging and lifting. Each of the hatches is supplied with double hoisting drums, operated by paper frictions and a main line of shaft which in turn is operated by a 12 x 12 vertical high pressure engine.
The propelling machinery consists of one of the builder's famous triple expansion engines, having high pressure cylinder, 20 inches in diameter, intermediate 33 inches diameter, low pressure 54 inches diameter, with a common stroke of 40 inches.
Two Scotch boilers, each 12 feet four inches in diameter and 13 feet long, capable of carrying 170 pounds working pressure, will furnish steam. The propeller wheel, 13 Feet in diameter, 15 feet pitch, which, when turning 75 revolutions per minute, is expected to drive the loaded ship 11 1/2 miles per hour. The boat is expected to carry about 3200 gross tons of iron ore on a draught of 15 feet.
The CHILI will be completed and ready for business in about four weeks. It has not been decided yet who will sail her.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Monday, April 22, 1895

      . . . . .

      GREAT LAKE BOATS.
      Trial Trip of the NORTHLAND & Departure of the Freight Propeller CHILI for Buffalo.
      Two notable marine events occurred at Cleveland Saturday. Two types of vessels, representing the highest constructive ability and the best and most recent designs, in passenger and freight boats respectively, stirred with life and motion for the first time.
The NORTHLAND, a counterpart of the NORTHWEST, the largest passenger boat on the lakes. left the docks of the Globe Iron Works and tried her sea legs out on the lake for a few hours, The CHILI, a modern freight propeller, departed from the docks of the Cleveland Shipbuilding Company for Buffalo to begin her career as a large lake carrier. This new vessel arrived in port early yesterday morning.
The NORTH LAND started on her trial trip at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon. She went up the lake as far as the dummy light. Her compasses were adjusted and her machinery was thoroughly tested. On her return to the harbor she was welcomed by her sister ship. the NORTHWEST, which went out to meet and pay respects to the new steamer.
The CHILI sailed away at 8:30 o'clock Saturday morning. She is a modern steel freighter, 324 feet keel, 342 feet over all, 42 feet beam, 27 feet deep, she is a duplicate of the I. W. NICHOLAS, built last year. She is designed as a general freight carrier. In 16 feet of water she will carry 3200 tons of ore and in 18 feet, 4500 tons.
The Cleveland Shipbuilding Company took the contract December 1, 1894, to build her in six months. They deliver her to the owner, Capt. M. M. Drake of this city, 10 days before that time. Capt. A. B. Drake has qualified as her master. A few friends accompanied the boat on her trip, including the owner, James C. Wallace, general manager of the Cleveland Shipbuilding Company: J. J. McWilliams of Buffalo, S. C. Schenck of Toledo, David Vance of Milwaukee and others. The CHILI will load coal today for South Chicago.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Monday, May 27, 1895

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Steam screw CHILI. U. S. No. 127078. Of 2,584.33 tons gross; 1,845.27 tons net. Built at Cleveland, Ohio in 1895. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. 320.5 x 42.0 x 21.8 Steel built.
      Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1897