2-982-571 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Winans Steam-vessel - end view, 1858. The Cigar Ship, a 'singular vessel' which was launched near the Ferry Bay at Baltimore. It was designed by Ross Winans and his son Thomas. '...steam power on board seagoing vessels, when used in aid of sails, ensures, to a great extent, dispatch, certainty of action, and uniformity in the time of their voyages. Now, we believe that by discarding sails entirely, and all the necessary appendages, and building the vessel of iron, having reference to the use of steam alone, these most desirable ends [greater safety, economy of transportation by sea] may be even still more fully obtained...The engines are high pressure, and have a cut-off that is variable from one eighth to the stroke. They are four in number, and, combined, will exert threefold more power in proportion to displacement of water than those of the most powerful steam-packets now built. The boilers are similar to locomotive boilers in plan and construction, and can consume about thirty tons of coal in twenty-four hours...With 2000 tons of coal on board, the present vessel will displace about 350 tons of water, and will accommodate about twenty first-class passengers and the United States mail, with room to spare for small valuable packages etc'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.