Alva (Propeller), 6 Jun 1893

The Bradley steamer ALVA was launched yesterday from the yard of the Cleveland Shipbuilding Company and is one of the largest ever built by that firm. She is 340 feet in length over all; 324 feet keel; 42 feet beam and 25 feet deep. In her construction the sheer strakes and deck stringers are made of extra heavy long plates and doubled, this giving a degree of strength greater than has heretofore been thought necessary. Solid rolled frames of bulb angles were used instead of the built-up frames usual on the lakes and the butts of all the plating are lapped. In this the builders have followed the new style of construction shown by the ocean steamers CAMPANIA and LUCANIA, in which the greatest degree of strength in proportion to the weight is attained. The plating is all of thoroughly tested Ohio steel.
      The motive power consists of a triple expansion engine having cylinders 24, 38 and 61 inches in diameter, with a stroke of 42 inches. The engine drives a sectional propeller 13½ feet in diameter with 16½ feet load. Steam is furnished by two Scotch type boilers, 24 x 13 feet in dimension, allowed 160 pounds working pressure and a pony boiler, 4 x 7 feet, allowed 120 pounds pressure. The boat is furnished with a steam capstan-windlass forward, a steam capstan aft, a double hoisting engine on the spar deck, steam steering engine located in the large engine room and operated by a truck wheel in the pilot house. She carries two pole spars.
      Buffalo Enquirer
      Wednesday, June 7, 1893