Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI), September 21, 1864

This magnificent steamer made her appearance yesterday morning, at the foot of Woodward avenue, and in a short time was visited by a large number of our citizens, who, having already heard much of the superiority of her structure were anxious to see for themselves. It occupied but a few minutes of time to satisfy one and all that the whole was a splendid achievement, and the IRONSIDES a grand success. There may be some points as regards of her model that do not come up to the eye of some mechanical judges, but we failed to see them ourselves, nor did we hear the like expressed by others. The shape is what is termed an easy model - faultless - her water lines splendidly drawn, which gives the boat a graceful and majestic appearance. The IRONSIDES was built by Quayle and Martin, of Cleveland, whose renown as shipbuilders has a world-wide prominence. Her length of keel is 219 58- 100 feet - over all 231 feet. Breadth of beam 31 28-100 feet, over all, including guards, 38 feet. Depth of hold 14 38-100 feet, registering 937 tons. She is constructed of the choicest material, and in point of strength it is impossible that anything more substantial can be accomplished. She has two water-tight bulkheads, and the hull supported by massive arches that are secured by uprights, all of which is heavily ironed. All the necessary paraphernalia for saving life, such as life boats, of which there are more than the usual number; the security from fire, with every other precautionary measure for the safety of the passengers, has been most faithfully carried out. The interior arrangements of her cabin are superb and of a magnificent character, and are not excelled in any part of the world. The furniture is of the most costly kind - the floors covered with beautiful Brussels carpeting - the state-rooms with elegant damask curtains, and the interior of the cabin lighted with splendid chandeliers. She has forty-four state-rooms - many of them convertible at will to family rooms, all furnished to a nicety. In the extreme forward of the boat may be found the wash-rooms fitted up with marble, with warm or cold water always at hand. There is also the bath room - hot or cold, with various other etceteras, which we failed at the time more particularly to note. Two fine paintings also adorn the cabin, one at each extreme end - the forward represents the Sault Rapids with the surrounding scenery, the other the old frigate Ironsides rendering relief to a burning British vessel. Her cabin is free of any incumbrance its entire length, which adds much to the grandeur of the arrangements. The propelling power of this splendid craft are by no means to be passed by. The designs and drawings of her engines were got up by J. F. Hollaway, Esq., a resident of Cleveland , and a brief view of the department is sufficient to satisfy the closest observer that this gentleman's scientific attainments are of no mean order. We visited and inspected this department both above and below decks, and can truly say for their simplicity, superior workmanship and the admirable mode of moving the same, they are unrivaled. They were got up by the Cuyahoga works, under the efficient management of W. B. Castle, Esq. Her boilers are of superior construction - 21 feet long, 10 feet diameter, having in them 378 return tubes. Her wheels are of the Philadelphia pattern, 9 feet diameter and of solid build. Her facilities for discharging and taking on cargo, as well as other working apparatus are all, in themselves, complete and need no improvement. It is not to be expected that this splendid craft, so beautifully and comfortably arranged, accompanied by so many improvements heretofore unknown, has been brought to such perfection without some mastermind at the head of the whole minutia. To Captain J. E. Turner, her commander, all this may be attributed, who, for many years in the Lake Superior trade, has been enabled to study closely and minutely what is most desirable for the comfort and convenience of the thousands who travel that way. The captain may feel proud that he has triumphed in his long cherished hopes, and has lived to see the same carried into perfection. The officers of the Ironsides are: Captain, J. E. Turner; First officer, Geo. Cleveland; Second Officer, James Maidson; John Holland, purser; First engineer J. E. Merrill; Second engineer, J. Barker; Steward, J. T. Hanison.