(The following information was compiled from Frank Leslie's Illustrated News, - Anchor Line booklet ca. 1880)
The Furnessia, the latest addition to the fleet of Anchor Line, United States Mail Steamers, was built by the Barrow Shipbuilding Company, at Barrow, in Furness, Lancashire, England, and is the largest vessel ever built in England, save the Great Eastern. She is one of the modem type of vessels whose size, speed and comfort, make the passage across the Atlantic a much more easy and agreeable task than was the case in times gone by. Her dimensions are: Length, 445 feet; beam, 44 feet 6 inches; depth of hold, 84 feet 6 inches; gross tonnage, 6,500 tons, and her displacement, when drawing twenty-six feet of water, 9,900 tons. She is brig-rigged and has two funnels. Her engines are 3,500 horse power. The diameter of the propeller is 20 feet 6 inches. The engines are fitted with Roger's patent exhauster, and special fire engines and emergency pumps, for pumping water out of the ship in case of collision or accident, are provided. She is fitted with steam steering gear, steam winches, steam cranes, etc., and her hull is divided into nine water-tight compartments.

It is however, in respect of the extent and nature of the accommodation provided for passengers that the Furnessia is specially worthy of attention. A full description of the passenger arrangements could not be given in a brief notice. We can only refer to a few of the specialties which have been introduced. The promenade deck which stretches from a point nearly amid-ships to the stern of the steamer, is surmounted by a deck-house, of which one-half is utilized as a most comfortable smoking-room. Opposite the entrance to the smoking room is a staircase which descends to the music or drawing-room, on the spar-deck. The furnishings and decorations of the music-room are most tastefully conceived. The walls are lined with panels of walnut and satinwood. The seats around the apartment are upholstered in brown morocco, and around the staircase leading to the main deck are ornamental boxes filled with exotic plants. The music-room is furnished with a handsome Broadwood piano and a Mason and Hamlin organ. Here is also a well-stocked library. A broad, airy corridor, lighted and ventilated by skylights at frequent intervals, leads from the music-room aft, on either side of which are state-rooms elegantly and comfortably fitted-up, having two berths and a sofa in each. Descending from the music-room by a broad staircase, the main or dining-saloon is reached. The portholes of this saloon are hid by window-frames with stained glass, and the carpets, curtains and other accessories, display the same taste and elegance which are everywhere evinced.

The dining-saloon is heated by steam, and is also furnished with two Baltimore heaters, fitted into white marble mantels, which give the apartment a home-like appearance. A corridor, similar to that on the spar deck, stretches from the main saloon alt, also giving access on both sides to state-rooms, which are fitted each for the accommodation of four persons. There are two state cabins furnished with special magnificence, and in place of the ordinary berths elsewhere provided, they are supplied with Parisian electro-plated bedsteads.

The S/S Furnessia before rebuilding in 1891
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The S/S Furnessia after rebuilding in 1891
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