Robert A. Packer (Propeller), U110491, 20 Jul 1881

At Bay City Captain Crosthwaite is ready to launch his new propeller which is 220 feet keel, 33 feet beam, 18 feet hold, with capacity for 50,000 bushels, As soon as this is launched he will lay the keel for a duplicate; the timber being now in an advanced preparation.
      Cleveland Herald
      Wednesday, March 2, 1881

      . . . . .

      Bay City, July 20. -- The new steambarge built for John Kelderhouse, of Buffalo, by William Crosthwaite, was successfully launched at 3 o'clock this afternoon. She is a sister to the QUEEN OF THE WEST in model and dimensions. Her dimensions are: Length over all, 230 feet; breadth of beam, 34 feet; average depth of hold, 17 feet 6 inches. Her estimated carrying capacity is 50,000 bushels of wheat. She will load lumber here for Buffalo, at which port she will receive her machinery from the King Iron Works. The name of the new craft is ROBERT A. PACKER, she having been christened after R. A. Packer, president of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. She is destined for the coal and grain trade between Buffalo and Chicago. her cost, when complete, will reach $80,000.
      Cleveland Herald
      Friday, July 22, 1881
     
     
Steam screw ROBERT A. PACKER. U.S. N. 110491. Of 921.64 tons gross; 770.01 tons net. Built Bay City, Mich., 1881. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. 209.0 x 33.8 x 16.1
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1891