The Superior was the second steam-powered vessel to operate on the Great Lakes. It was built with the engine of the first steam vessel, Walk-in-the-Water, which sank in 1821. Like her predecessor she combined steam-powered sidewheels and sails. On May 28, 1822, the Cleveland Herald reported, "the new steamship Superior arrived here on May 23 from Black Rock (near Buffalo) on its first trip to Detroit...headwinds may cause some delay so that she may no leave Buffalo on her next trip quite as soon as advertised." Cleveland became a way port for sidewheel steamers running between Buffalo and Detroit. The painting is executed in the British-American tradition of ship portraiture and is both detailed and realistic. Note the passengers at the stern holding parasols and seated on Windsor chairs and the crew members in the rigging.