The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-09
shinhuildine at Savannah.

Of the building of the iron steamboat
Alpha was published in the MORNING
NEWS. At that time the steamer was at a
wharf in this city receiving her machinery
and having her superstructure built. The
facts connected with the building of this
steamer are OF much more than ordinary
importance. because they show what can
be done in the way of iron shipbuilding
without skilled mechanics and without a
shipbuilding plant.
The Alpha is intended for the inland route
between this city and Beaufort, and she
was built by her owner, Col John Lawton,
at his place on the Savannah river. in South
Carolina. few miles above Savannah. 1t
is generally supposed that she was modelled.
and her plates made, at the north,
and that she was put together by
trained workmen brought south
for that purpose. Such. however,
is not the case. Every plate was made and
every rivet hole punched on the banks of
the Savannah river. The steamer was put
together by young white men, who were
assisted by black men, all Of whom are ma
tives Of the country in the immediate
vicinity of the place where the vessel was
built. There was only one skilled mechanic
among them. That one was John Wester-
man, ship carpenter. Mr.. Westerman,
under the direction of Col. Lawton, made
the model and also the mods for the iron
plates. Col. Lawton superintendent the
work, even to the extent of marking the
places for the rivet holes He kept a
watchful eye upon his unframed workmen,
directing them in their work. He is now
in this city giving his attention every day
to the steamer, which, it IS expected, will be
entirely completed by Aug l.
The model Of the Alpha is a fine one-so
fine, indeed, that those who are competent
to express an opinion say that in all prob
ability she will be able to attain speed of
from eighteen to twenty miles an hour.
Col. Lawton is a planter and gentleman
Of wealth. He has owned steamboats, ply
ing upon the Savannah river for many
years. His experience with steamboats,,
and bis knowledge of shipbuilding, gained
from frequent visits TO the northsrn ship
yards, enabled him to build the first iron
steamboat ever constructed south of Nor
folk.
Fifty or sixty years ago, in the days of
the old Georgia Steamboat Company, two
iron steamers were put together at this port.
All of the different parts of them were made
in England and shipped here in sailing
vessels. The remarkable thing in connec-
ton with the building of the Alpha is that
all the tools used in constructing her were
IL
made to order here in Savannah.
As already stated, the men who built
her had no other training than that which
they received while the work was in
progress Another remarkable thing is that
the vessel was built for much less money
than a vessel of her proportions would have
cost at a northern shipyard. Indeed, Col
Lawton built the vessel so much cheaper
than he could have had one exactly like her
built at the north that he hesitates to make
known her cost
The Alpha is provided with low pressure
double engines and three water-tight bulk
heads She is strongly built, finely finished
and presents a very handsome appearance.
The construction of this vessel on the
Dduho VI buS pdNhuudu IlNeis uuueT 81
many disadvantages, is matter that should
attract great deal of attention in the
south, because it suggests the possibility of
shipbuilding becoming an important south
ern industry. The south has an
abundance of shipbuilding materials,
which can be had more cheaply
than in any other section of the
country. Among her young men would be
found those who would become skilfull ship
builders. Indeed, there would be no lack of
either workmen or materials If a few en-
ergetic men, such as Col Lawton. should
determine to inaugurate the shipbuilding
industry in the south there is no doubt that
they would meet with success.