City of Rome (Propeller), U125914, 5 Jan 1899

With some sixteen steel vessels of different types, most of them large freight carriers, now under way, the lake ship builders, with the exception of the Detroit Dry Dock Co., have enough new work in hand to keep them busy until some time after the opening of navigation next spring. `'We have an abundance of repair work in hand," says one of the officers of the Detroit company "and we are determined not to take a contract for a new ship until we find more profit in it than is warranted by the prices accepted of late for new work. We might have had two vessels lately if we were willing to accept figures even a little higher than those at which the contracts were closed. There will be work enough to go around." It is understood that the Detroit company has assurance of a contract for one freight steamer, and probably two, from Detroit parties for whom they have already built vessels. and this is why they have upheld prices in cases where they have been called upon to meet general competition. They have the steel barge AURANIA of Cleveland at their yard awaiting repairs, and it is quite probable that she will be equipped with triple expansion engines and Scotch boilers at an expense of about $50,000. If this is done, John Corrigan of Cleveland will have a 5000-ton steamer at a total cost of $150,000. The AURANIA was a cheap vessel when built and has proven a very large carrier. The Detroit yard has about all that it can care for until spring in the repair line, as the list of extensive jobs additional to the AURANIA includes the steamers FAYETTE BROWN, SELWYN EDDY, CITY OF ROME, PRESLEY and S. R. EDWARDS.
      The Marine Review
      January 5, 1899


Steam screw CITY OF ROME. U. S. No. 125914. Of 1908 tons gross; 1594 tons net. Built Cleveland, O., 1881. Home port, Sandusky, O. 268.2 x 40.2 x 20.3 Crew of 17. Of 500 indicated horsepower.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1902