Complex sentence: An 1855 periodical describes Tetlow as a "a skilful machinist" from Providence, Rhode Island, who had just contracted with a Captain McKenney for the construction of an 800-ton iron-hulled ship at Salem, Massachusetts.
Split into simpler sentences: An 1855 periodical describes Tetlow as a "a skilful machinist" from Providence, Rhode Island. Tetlow at this time had just contracted with a Captain McKenney for the construction of an 800-ton iron-hulled ship at Salem, Massachusetts.