Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-18
JOHN PoRIER.S FATE.
The Designer ofthe First Ironclad Friend
less and Poor in His Old Age.

The Designer of the First Ironclad Friend
less and Poor in His Old Age.
The death of John Ericsson has
brought to light many facts about iron
clad building which have been on the
| shelves of memory for years. 1t is not
generally known that the first ironclad
ever built was designed at Pittsburgh,
and that the designer lives to-day al
most unknown and forgotten, with
little of the worlds wealth to cheer
him. The Dispatch says that John L.
Porter, who designed the Merrimac,
the first ironclad ever built, conceived
his IDEA right in Pittsburgh. Porter,
by the way. is now man of four score
years, and is still swinging broad-axe
in the Navy yard at Norfolk. Unlike
Ericsson, whose inventions brought
him wealth, Porter has been compelled
to struggle hard for livelihood. His
career has been an eventful one.
While Porter was at work in Pitts
burgh on the iron steamer Allegheny
IN 1874 the idea flashed across his mind
that a vessel could be so protected by
iron plates that the shot and shells of
the enemy's guns would have no effect
upon her. He constructed model en-
bodying this idea, but never attempted
to build the vessel he had designed.
a year or two afterward he returned to
Norfolk, leaving his model in Pitts
burgh, but taking his drawings with
him. When the late war broke out he
was made the constructor of the Con-
federate navy, and took charge of the
yard at Norfolk, which had been aban-
doned by the United States Govern
ment. His almost forgotten idea of an
lronclad was recalled, and he made the
attempt to put it into practicable shape
The United States ship Merrimac, which
had been burned to the waters edge
and then sunk off the navy yard by the
retreating Federal marines, was after
much difficulty raised, retimbered. cut
down and otherwise repaired. His
proposition to make an iron vessel that
would float was hooted at Porter
showed his Pittsburgh model to Mar
shall Parks, who is now United
States Supervising Steamboat In
spector, and who at that time
had charge of the navy of
North Carolina, which State had not
Joined the Confederacy. Parks at once
recognized the value of the model,
fastened to Raleigh and had a bill
drafted by himself pass the Legislature
providing for the purchase of the pro-
posed ironclad. Before he could do
any thing, however, the State Joined
the Confederacy, and as instructed, he
turned over his models and plans for
navy to the Confederate Government.
Owing to the lack of facilities six
months were required to complete the
Merrimac, but that was great day in
Norfolk when she was launched Old
mariners and experienced shipbuilders
Turing her whole construction had held
'toutly to their opinion that she was
and would sink. Great was
heir dismay and equally great was the
rejoicing of the officials of the Confed-
crate Government, who witnessed the
aunch. when she smoothly glided into
he Elizabeth river and gracefully
loated upon its peaceful bosom. Then
vas Mr.. Porter's fame secured, assured
md his success certain. Gloomy fore
oodings were changed into hearty con-
Il L. -.
hour in the South. To-day he is for
gotten. His fame fell with the defeat
If the Confederate States.