"The elegant steam-boat Franklin, was launched from the shipyard at the Point, in this city, on Wednesday last." Mercury, April 20, 1816.
"The Steam Boat Franklin, burden 140 tons, was launched from the Point Ship Yard, on Wednesday morning last. The Franklin is owned by a company of gentlemen in this city, and is intended as a regular trader between here and New Orleans. The engine for this boat is constructed on Bolton and Watt's plan, improved by Mr. Arthurs of this place." Gazette, April 20, 1816.
Maysville, Dec. 24, 1816.
"The undersigned passengers in the Steam Boat Franklin, from Pittsburgh, feel it a just tribute due to the proprietors and captain, to express publicly their approbation of the very handsome manner in which they have been entertained. Her accommodations, speed and safety, as well as the polite attention of Captain Cromwell, are such as will always insure a decided preference.
- Chas. Savage, Massachusetts.
- J. P. Cambridge, M.D., Philadelphia.
- Tho. Sloo, Cincinnati.
- John Trimble, Kentucky.
- Geo. P. Turrence, Cincinnati.
- Robert J. Baron, London.
- W. R. Ord, London.
- Louis Caenon, France.
- J. W. Simonton, Philadelphia.
- Daniel Lewis, New York.
The beautiful Steam Boat above named passed by this place on Tuesday last." Commonwealth, Jan. 6, 1817.
INTERESTING TO THE WESTERN PUBLIC
"On the 30th December, the steamboat Oliver Evans, departed from this city for New-Orleans, laden with about forty tons freight and forty passengers, and drew but thirty inches water, which is without doubt less than ever known…. Her length is one hundred and twenty feet and beam fourteen feet nine inches. She ascended the Allegheny when it was high and rapid, at the rate of five miles per hour, and passed over the ripple at Wainright's island, at such a rate as to cause people on the shore to walk, briskly, to keep pace with her, and there remains no doubt but that she is much the fastest vessel ever exhibited here." Mercury, Jan. 4, 1817.
THE STEAMBOAT HARRIET
"We had, on Tuesday last, the pleasure of a sail in the new steam boat Harriett of Pittsburgh, owned by Mr. Joshua Armitage. She is designed as a regular trader between this place and New-Orleans. She is supposed to carry forty to sixty tons. Her engine and machinery were built by Mr. J. Arthurs. They are simple in their construction, and proved very complete in their operation. She ascended the Allegheny, which was high and rapid, at about the rate of three miles an hour; and ascended the rapid ripple at Wainright's island, with perfect ease.—We feel happy in being able to announce this effort of individual enterprize. It is the harbinger of the general introduction of steam boat navigation on the western waters—and the day is not far distant when individuals as well as companies will embark in such useful improvements." Mercury, Dec. 14, 1816.