Michigan (Propeller), 20 Aug 1881

The two new iron screw freighters in course of construction at Wyandotte for the Goodrich Transportation Company will be 215 feet over all, 34 feet 6 inches beam, and 14 feet 6 inches hold; cargo capacity 1,000 tons on 12 feet of water. An iron screw steamer on the stocks at the same place is for the Anchor Line. She is an exact duplicate of the LEHIGH -- 250 feet long, 36 feet beam, 17 feet hold, capacity 2,000 tons -- and will be named the CLARION.
      Cleveland Herald
      Thursday, March 10, 1881

NOTE:- The two Goodrich Transportation Company boats building are the MICHIGAN and WISCONSIN.
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Detroit, Mich., Aug. 20. -- Goodrich's new iron propeller was launched at Wyandotte this afternoon at 5:20. She is completed up to her main deck, and in this condition draws an average of four feet six inches. She has been named MICHIGAN.
The propeller is 212 feet in length, 34 feet 6 inches beam, and 14 feet 4 inches depth of hold. She is built of iron and has a double bottom, having a water space of three feet under her floor. This space can be filled with water to ballast the steamer when she is light. She is intended for the passenger and freight business between Grand Haven and Milwaukee, in connection with the Detroit, Grand haven & Milwaukee Railway, and is so constructed that she will draw the least possible amount of water when fully loaded. This is to adapt her to the shallow water in the harbor at Grand Haven.
The steamer is provided with fine, water-tight bulkheads, and is substantially and elegantly fitted out. Her machinery consists of a compound engine with cylinders 27 x 44 inches, which will turn a wheel ten feet three inches in diameter. She has a steam boiler ten feet in diameter and sixteen feet in length.
This steamer was built by the Detroit Dry Dock Company for the Goodrich Transportation Company, of Chicago, from drawings furnished by Frank E. Kirby, contracting engineer. Another boat exactly similar to this one is nearly completed at the same yard for the same company.
      Cleveland Herald
      August 22, 1881
     
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After the propeller MICHIGAN was launched she was towed to Detroit and placed under the charge of R. L. Montgomery, who at once set about building her cabin and furnishing it. This work is now about completed, and has been done in a style which places the MICHIGAN at the head of all lake propellers for handsome and comfortable passenger accommodations. Her cabin is 180 feet long by 14 feet wide between the staterooms, of which there are forty, each having room for three passengers. The MICHIGAN can, however, easily accommodate 200 or more passengers without crowding. The cabin is finished in white, gold and cherry, similar to the steamer CITY OF MILWAUKEE. Her pilot-house is large and convenient, and she is provided with a large texas for the accommodation of her crew.
      Nothing which can be suggested by large experience in lake craft has been omitted in making these two propellers worthy of a front rank for convenience in handling freight, and comfort and safety of passengers.
      Cleveland Herald
      Thursday, October 13, 1881

NOTE:- The other boat exactly similar to the MICHIGAN is the WISCONSIN, which was launched Oct. 11, 1881 from the same yard.