Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper (New York, NY), 7 June 1856, page 405

The "Western World" is one of a daily line of splendid connecting the New York Central R. R. and New York and Erie R. R. at Buffalo, with the Michigan Central R. R. at Detroit. It was built expressly for this route at a cost of $250,000, by Isaac Newton, Esq., of New York, who has so long and favorably been known to the public in connection with steamboat enterprise on the Hudson River. In every particular it compares favorably with the most elegant steamers on the Hudson River or the Sound. The steamers Plymouth Rock and Mississippi -- similar in capacity, speed and elegance to the Western World -- run in connection with it and form the "North Shore Line." Each steamer has one hundred and fifty state and family-rooms and a great number of separate rooms than any Ocean, Lake or River steamers in the world. Capacity for 1,500 passengers, tonnage 2,500. Dimensions: Length, 348 feet; breadth of beam, 42 1/2 feet; breadth over all, 74 feet; depth of hold, 15 feet; cylinder, 81 inches; stroke of piston, 12 feet; 1,500 horse power. The hulls were modelled and built by John English, of N. Y., and the engines by Messrs. Secord & Co., of the Allaire Iron Works in N. Y. The Agent for this line in New York is Darius Clark, 173 Broadway; and at Buffalo, Chas. E. Noble, Esq.