George T. Hope (Propeller), U85800, 14 Jul 1883

Bay City, Mich, July 14. -- Captain James Davidson's new steamship, GEORGE T. HOPE, was launched at this port this afternoon in the presence of a large crowd. She is 290 feet over all, 40 feet beam, 21 feet hold; has a fore and aft compound engine, high pressure; cylinder, 30 x 12 inches, low pressure, 50 x 42; two boilers, 16 feet long, 8½ shell, Otis steel. She has a carrying capacity of 90,000 bushels of corn and 1,500,000 feet of lumber. She will leave Bay City for Chicago in about three weeks. The cost of the vessel is placed at $130,000.
      J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, July 1883


The new steamship GEORGE T. HOPE arrived in Chicago yesterday, on her maiden trip, in command of captain James Davidson, who is also not the owner but the builder. [It is not often that a distinguished shipbuilder is also a distinguished navigator, but such is the case with Captain Davidson.] The new craft is coal-laden. The officers report that she behaved excellently on the passage, notwithstanding the fact that her new machinery is stiff yet.
      The HOPE resembles the SIBERIA in appearance, but is superior even to that craft. Great improvements have been made in the HOPE over the SIBERIA. As she passed into the harbor yesterday she was gazed at by hundreds. The one opinion of all was that she is a magnificent craft. The experts were especially enthusiastic over her.
J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, September,1883
     


Steamship GEORGE T. HOPE. U. S. No. 85800. Of 1558.73 gross tons; 1274.77 tons net. Built West Bay City, Mich., 1883. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. 263.0 x 39.1 x 19.0.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1885