Editing PS General Slocum (section)

==Construction and design==
[[File:PS General Slocum by Stanton - detinted.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|Drawing by Samuel Ward Stanton]]
The hull of ''General Slocum'' was built by Divine Burtis Jr., a [[Brooklyn]] boatbuilder who was awarded the contract on February 15, 1891;<ref name="Ogilvie">{{cite web| last = Ogilvie| first = J.S.| title = History of the General Slocum Disaster| date = June 21, 2007| url = http://www.garemaritime.com/features/general-slocum/| access-date = December 13, 2009}}</ref>  the superstructure was built by John E. Hoffmire & Son.<ref name=USCI-Slocum/>{{rp|3}} Her [[keel]] was {{convert|235|ft|m}} long and the [[hull (watercraft)|hull]] was {{convert|37.5|ft|m}} wide constructed of [[white oak]] and [[Pinus classification|yellow pine]]. ''General Slocum'' measured 1,284 [[gross register tonnage|tons gross]],<ref name=Cussler>Cussler, Clive, [http://www.numa.net/expeditions/general_slocum.html General Slocum], National Underwater and Marine Agency. Retrieved November 26, 2010. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109192634/http://www.numa.net/expeditions/general_slocum.html |date=November 9, 2010 }}</ref> and had a hull depth of {{convert|12.3|ft|m}}.<ref name="Ogilvie"/> She was constructed with three decks (main, promenade and hurricane), three watertight compartments and 250 electric lights.<ref name="Ogilvie"/> She drew {{cvt|7.5|ft|m}} unladen and was {{cvt|250|ft}} long overall.<ref name=USCI-Slocum/>{{rp|3–4}}

''General Slocum'' was powered by a single-[[cylinder (engine)|cylinder]], surface-condensing [[Walking beam|vertical-beam]] [[steam engine]] with a {{convert|53|in|m}} [[bore (engine)|bore]] and {{convert|12|foot}} [[stroke (engine)|stroke]], built by [[W. & A. Fletcher Company]] of [[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]], [[New Jersey]].<ref name=USCI-Slocum/>{{rp|3}} Steam was supplied by two [[boiler]]s at a working pressure of {{convert|52|psi|kPa|lk=on}}.<ref name=nyt_26jun1891>[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1891/06/26/103316952.pdf "A Very Handsome Boat"], ''The New York Times'', June 26, 1891.</ref> ''General Slocum'' was a [[sidewheeler|sidewheel boat]]. Each wheel had 26 paddles and was {{convert|31|ft|m}} in diameter.  Her maximum speed was about  {{convert|16|kn|km/h}}.  The ship was usually crewed by a contingent of 22, including Captain William H. Van Schaick and two pilots. She had a legal capacity of 2,500 passengers.<ref name=USCI-Slocum/>{{rp|5}}

Cabins, storeroom, and machinery spaces were below the main deck. Crew quarters were the second compartment aft from the bow, with a hatch and ladder leading to the main deck. Aft of the quarters was the "forward cabin", also fitted with a companionway to the main deck; it was originally intended to be a cabin space, but had been used as a storeroom and lamp room. The forward cabin also housed the ship's steering engine and dynamo.<ref name=USCI-Slocum/>{{rp|4}} The forward cabin, measuring approximately {{cvt|30|×|28|ft|abbr=on}} (length × width), was used for general storage and to store and refuel the ship's lamps from oil barrels kept there. Oil had been spilled on the deck of the Lamp Room numerous times, and it was frequented by crew who habitually used open flames in the room.<ref name=USCI-Slocum/>{{rp|7–8}} Aft of the forward cabin was the machinery space for engines and boilers. The stern compartment below the main deck (aft of the machinery) was used as an aftersaloon.<ref name=USCI-Slocum/>{{rp|4}}

The forward part of the main deck was enclosed just forward of the companionway to the forward cabin. The promenade deck, above the main deck, was open except for a small section amidships. The hurricane deck, above the promenade, was where the lifeboats and life rafts were stowed. The pilot house was above the hurricane deck, with a small stateroom immediately aft.<ref name=USCI-Slocum/>{{rp|4–5}}{{clear left}}