You list James Barton as Builder. My records show E. Merrit. I enclosed the 1825 launch article.
LAUNCH.---On Thursday last, at eleven o'clock, the Steam Boat, HENRY CLAY, was launched from the dock yard in this village into the new harbor. The day was beautiful, and the occasion honored by a great concourse of citizens and strangers, whom curiosity of business had drawn together. The wharves and ware-houses on each side, and the pier in front,of the yard, were filled with admiring spectators and the new Steam Boat, PIONEER, was moored in the most convenient place to view the scene, who crowded her decks.
The HENRY CLAY is a beautiful boat, of the first class, and measures upwards of 300 tons. She was built by Mr. E. Meritt, a young artist of great promise, who served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Eckford & Brown, in New York, and who built, last season, at that place, the new Steam Boat CONSTITUTION, now running between Troy and New York. The size and model of the HENRY CLAY are precisely the same as those of the CONSTITUTION, with the exception of some trifling modifications, suggested by the builder, by way of improvement. The engine, which is on the low pressure principle, was made at Birbeck's Factory, in New York, and was cast in the same moulds with that of the CONSTITUTION.
As the navigation of the lakes is somewhat hazardous, the owners have spared no pains or expense that would contribute to her security. In the quality of timber, strength of fastenings, and, we may add, neatness of workmanship, the HENRY CLAY is not surpassed by any vessel afloat. She is intended to ply, as a passage boat, between this place and Detroit, touching at the intermediate ports, and will probably make her first trip about the first of August.
After the launch, and a national salute fired from a six pounder on board the new boat, the owners and artificers, with a number of the gentlemen who had been launched in her, amongst whom were the Canal Commissioners, ( General Van Rensselaer, Mr.Seymour, and Mr.Bouck) and several other distinguished strangers repaired to Mr.Thayer's Hotel, and partook of a handsome dinner, provided by the Directors. The following, among other toasts, were drank at the dinner, which was marked by hilarity and good cheer.
By Gen. Porter, (President of the Board of Directors)--The HENRY CLAY, May her future course be marked by the gallant and lofty bearing that distinguishes the Statesman after whom she is named.
By Gen.Van Rensselaer--The Ohio Canals. Success to the enterprize and public spirit which projected them.
By Mr. Seymour--The Commerce of lake Erie. May it richly reward the enterprising spirit of our countrymen.
By Mr. Beack--The Memory of Robert Fulton
By Mr. Mathews--The extremes of the Grand Canal--Black Rock Harbor and the Albany Basin.
By Major Barton--The Territory of Michigan. Her increasing population gives life and spirit to the commerce of lake Erie.
By Mr. Meritt (the builder) -- The Steam Boat HENRY CLAY. May she prove as advantageous to the Stockholders, as her namesake has to his country.
By J.L. Barton, (vice-president) --The Steam Boat HENRY CLAY. Her elegant model and structure are the works of MERITT--In speed she stands not in fear of a SUPERIOR.
By J.G. NORTON --The village of Black Rock. Its growing prosperity is evidence of its future greatness. (all toasts not transcribed)
Black Rock Gazette
June 14, 1825 p.2 c.6
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You list James Barton as Builder. My records show E. Merrit. I enclosed the 1825 launch article.
LAUNCH.---On Thursday last, at eleven o'clock, the Steam Boat, HENRY CLAY, was launched from the dock yard in this village into the new harbor. The day was beautiful, and the occasion honored by a great concourse of citizens and strangers, whom curiosity of business had drawn together. The wharves and ware-houses on each side, and the pier in front,of the yard, were filled with admiring spectators and the new Steam Boat, PIONEER, was moored in the most convenient place to view the scene, who crowded her decks.
The HENRY CLAY is a beautiful boat, of the first class, and measures upwards of 300 tons. She was built by Mr. E. Meritt, a young artist of great promise, who served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Eckford & Brown, in New York, and who built, last season, at that place, the new Steam Boat CONSTITUTION, now running between Troy and New York. The size and model of the HENRY CLAY are precisely the same as those of the CONSTITUTION, with the exception of some trifling modifications, suggested by the builder, by way of improvement. The engine, which is on the low pressure principle, was made at Birbeck's Factory, in New York, and was cast in the same moulds with that of the CONSTITUTION.
As the navigation of the lakes is somewhat hazardous, the owners have spared no pains or expense that would contribute to her security. In the quality of timber, strength of fastenings, and, we may add, neatness of workmanship, the HENRY CLAY is not surpassed by any vessel afloat. She is intended to ply, as a passage boat, between this place and Detroit, touching at the intermediate ports, and will probably make her first trip about the first of August.
After the launch, and a national salute fired from a six pounder on board the new boat, the owners and artificers, with a number of the gentlemen who had been launched in her, amongst whom were the Canal Commissioners, ( General Van Rensselaer, Mr.Seymour, and Mr.Bouck) and several other distinguished strangers repaired to Mr.Thayer's Hotel, and partook of a handsome dinner, provided by the Directors. The following, among other toasts, were drank at the dinner, which was marked by hilarity and good cheer.
By Gen. Porter, (President of the Board of Directors)--The HENRY CLAY, May her future course be marked by the gallant and lofty bearing that distinguishes the Statesman after whom she is named.
By Gen.Van Rensselaer--The Ohio Canals. Success to the enterprize and public spirit which projected them.
By Mr. Seymour--The Commerce of lake Erie. May it richly reward the enterprising spirit of our countrymen.
By Mr. Beack--The Memory of Robert Fulton
By Mr. Mathews--The extremes of the Grand Canal--Black Rock Harbor and the Albany Basin.
By Major Barton--The Territory of Michigan. Her increasing population gives life and spirit to the commerce of lake Erie.
By Mr. Meritt (the builder) -- The Steam Boat HENRY CLAY. May she prove as advantageous to the Stockholders, as her namesake has to his country.
By J.L. Barton, (vice-president) --The Steam Boat HENRY CLAY. Her elegant model and structure are the works of MERITT--In speed she stands not in fear of a SUPERIOR.
By J.G. NORTON --The village of Black Rock. Its growing prosperity is evidence of its future greatness. (all toasts not transcribed)
Black Rock Gazette
June 14, 1825 p.2 c.6
Comments may be edited for appropriate language and HTML.
All fields are required.
Not all comments will be posted.
Your email address will be stored so that we may contact you again about your comment, but will not be displayed to the public, or otherwise shared, without your permission.
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To make a a simple paragraph break, simply hit [Enter] twice