Steamboat Chrystenah

Editor's note: The following article is from the Rockland County Journal (Nyack, N. Y.), April 13, 1867. Thank you to Contributing Scholar George A. Thompson for finding, cataloging and transcribing this article. The language, spelling and grammar of the article reflects the time period when it was written.

Steamboat Chrystenah. Tracey I. Brooks Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum

CHRYSTENAH.
A few days since we paid a visit to this magnificent piece of river architecture, and were more than pleased with what we saw during the examination. This floating palace, owned by the Messrs. Smiths', is a creation of Nyack; her hull and lower works having been built by William Dickie, a practical ship and boat builder, who knows when work is done as it should be. Her length over all is two hundred and ten feet, beam thirty feet.  Having been moored at her dock, foot of Harrison street, New York, all winter, she was recently brought to Nyack where she has been thoroughly overhauled and has had affixed to her machinery the steam jet, instead of the old style blower that has been the means of destroying so many noble boats and valuable lives; adding at the same time increased speed to the boat. 

On entering upon the main deck the first object that strikes the attention is the magnificent stairway constructed of rosewood. black walnut and mahogany, ornamented on each side by a statuette of Don Cesar and Don Juan, moulded in the finest style of the art.  At the top of the first landing is the portrait of a venerable lady, Messrs. Smiths' mother, now in her eighty-third year, from whom the boat derives its name. Passing up to the next landing we come to the upper deck saloon where we find such taste and elegance combined as to form the exception to these so-called articles of the day.  The saloon is one hundred and twenty feet long, and is fitted up and furnished with every appliance imaginable for modern comfort and convenience.  Guilded cornices, designs in painting rivaling nature's best, stained glass lights, silk damask curtains, velvet carpets and lounges, antique furniture, mirrors of huge dimensions in which the vanity of the vain can find ample gratification, and marble covered heaters used as tables, go towards making up what we deem a beau-ideal of a steamboat.  The ladies' cabin beneath and occupying the after part of the main deck, is a cosy place where repose may be found away from the throng of the saloon —  The dining appartment is amply large and is elegantly fitted up for the accommodation of all who may desire to patronize it.

Messrs. Cobanks & Theall N. Y. are the builders of the engine, and such is the cleanliness and order of the engine room that a lady might venture in in silks without fear of contamination. Taken as a whole, we believe the Chrystenah to be in every respect, one of |the finest boats on the Hudson.

On last Monday morning she commenced her regular trips for the season, since which time she has been patronized to the entire satisfaction of her owners. 

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