Boat Launch of the Steamer Geo. W. Kendall, 1849

- from The Daily Wheeling Gazette, Oct. 10, 1849, p. 3
 

GEO. W. KENDALL

Boat Launch. — On Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock, the steamer GEO. W. KENDALL was launched, with all her upper works on and almost ready to plough the waves. She went into the water beautifully, and when still, sat with the ease and grace of a duck in a placid stream. The Geo. W. Kendall is one of the largest and most elegant boats ever sent out from the upper trade. She is 182 feet long, 33 feet beam, 8 1/2 feet hold, and will draw but 3 feet with her engines and furniture aboard.

Her hull is of the best workmanship of Messrs. M'Lure and Dunlavy, her engines by the Messrs. Phillips, and her cabin by Mr. Wingard. All her work is of the best kind, and proudly will she bear herself among her compeers.

We feel an interest in this craft, and hail her advent upon the waves with pleasure, because she is partly owned and will be commanded by CAPT. NORTON, one of the best men on the river, and because she is named after one of the Craft Editorial, and one of the lords of creation who has fought his way, by natural talent and energy, from one of the lowest to one of the highest positions in life, and who has almost become the observed of all observers. May this boat be as prosperous as he has been.
 

The Daily Wheeling Gazette, Nov. 7, 1849, p. 3:

The Geo. W. Kendall. — This new and elegant steamer, just completed at the upper Boat Yard, made a short trial trip yesterday, walking the waters in a swift, graceful and successful manner. She is designed for the lower trade generally.
 

The Daily Wheeling Gazette, Nov. 13, 1849, p. 3:
 

The Geo. W. Kendall. — Captain Norton left with his noble steamer George Wilkins Kendall, for Pittsburgh on Sunday last, being her first trip. As a boat which is entirely a Wheeling production, and which bears the name of a distinguished name of the Press, the Geo. W. Kendall is entitled special notice in our columns. We have already given her dimensions — 182 feet long, 33 feet beam and 8 1/2 feet hold — which shows her to be among the largest boats sent from the upper trade, and an examination of her works when completed, also convinced us that she is among the most elegant.

Her cabin, which is a fine model both for comfort and beauty and is the work of Dan'l Wingard, is furnished in fine style, the berths combining spaciousness with every convenience for single or double passengers. The carpets and upholstery are by Mendel & Harbour, and the chairs and other furniture by Ebbert & Ritte, and Riheldaffer.

With Captain Norton as commander, Mr. Wm. McCaskey and J. Bloomfield, as the accomodating and efficient clerks, and with all the other requisites of a first-rate steamer, we can safely commend the Geo. W. Kendall to the travelling community from the "head of navigation" to New Orleans, between which points she will run during good stages of water in the upper trade.

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