Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-15

EarlV days III w liInlublOus
John Harris left tine Brandywine ship
yard in the spring of 1886 for his own
yard which was situated east OF Orange
street and below Water, where he had
learned his trade under his father and
under his brother-in-law, Enoch Moore,
LIST. lie built many sea-going vessels.
Among them was the large schooner
Agnes for John H. Price Of Brandy
wine. The ship Cereus arrived here
and was taken to Mr.. Harris yards for
repairs.
DEEPENING THE onRIsTIANA.
After this City Council petitioned the
general government to improve the
Christiana and to remove the bar at its
mouth. An appropriation of $4,000
was made for the purpose.
A dredging machine was needed and
Mr.. Harris was called on to give esti-
mates for what he would build ma
chine that would do the work. At first
he demurred little as he had received
no plans nor specifications. Councils
committee on navigation, William
Chandler, chairman, had charge of the
matter.
II was at length agreed that the vessel
which was to hold the machinery was
10 be built by the day under the super
vision of Council committee, Mr.. Harris
TO do the work. But the United States
government also required that every
man that worked for him on the mud
machine signed the payroll. They
were extremely watchful Of everything
that was done. The material was paid
for by the foot. When the hull was
completed it was given into the hands
of John Mcleod to put the machinery in.
The machinery and engine were built
by Bonney & Bush, at the machine shop
and foundry, at the corner OF Second
and Lombard. Mcleod superintcnded
the miilwright work in person and
when the machinery was in position he
started it going.
1t was first-class job. 1t was put to
work and dredged the Christiana from
Market street bridge to the mouth of
the Chrlstiana and wherever necessary.
The mud machine, as was its common
name, did excellent work here for five
or six years. The mechanism was an
elevator with chain and bucket which
dug the mud up and dropped it into a
Bcow. The scows were emptied by a
crane which hoisted the mud out, drop
ping it along the creek banks, whereby
a great extent of wharf line was built.
The crane was rugged on movable
float.
It was in 1887 that this work was
commenced and it continued for the
space of time stated. Then the United
States government removed the whole
apparatus to the Philadelphia navy
yard TO dig out the river at that poin
In order that the new frigate Raritar
might be launched.
Much OF Mr.. Harris work was for the
Harlan & Hollingsworth Company. The
latter concern gave him work for hi!
railway, his shipyard being the neares
to them.
The firm was afterwards John Harri
& Son and went by that name until thu
old man died, about the close of tn
war, in his 96th year. He lived on tn
west side of Shipley street, two door
above Third. Finally the railway wa
rented to the Harlan s. Hollingswortl
Company for $1,000 year. After thi
the whole property was sold, the pur
chaser do not remember.
STEAMERS BANGOR AND wHILDIN.
Commencing again with the two iro
steamers Ocean and Ashland, built b
two other notable steamers were bull
two or three years later. These wer
the Bangor and Whildin. w. g. A
Thatcher did what may be called til
ship carpenter work in them. The
were built near the foot of Walnu
street. Albert Thatcher was in charg
of the men. The firm made the model
for both steamers and afterwards pre-
pared all the models to build the timber
by. They laid the keels and put IN th
iron frames, ribboning them in thei
places ready for the iron sheets to b
.e put in by the Belts, Harlan d Holling!
worth Company. The Whildin wa
launched first before her beams wer
put across. think she laid at the whal
until the Thatchers finished their shar
of the work. The Bangor was attende
to in like manner, that is in regard I
the wood work. She was very iii
vessel, being one of the fastest built
those early days. She was built for
Bangor, Me-, company to run betwee
that place and Boston. She sailed i,
Bangor and was burnt on her secor
trip, the return trip from Bangor
Boston.
The steamer Whildin was more 70
tunate. She is yet atloat running b
tween Philadelphia and Baltimore
the general merchandise business uloi
the Delaware and Chesapeake can;
She carries the peach crop every seasC
from southern points to the Philadelph
market.
CANNON SHOT IN HER BOILER
The Whildin is veteran of the Ia
war as she had cannon shot throuI
her boiler, received at Newport News
The story was given to me by t
engineer or fireman, forget which. B
after the Merrimac had come out al
sunk the two Federal frigates, Congre
and Cumberland, the Whildin w
steaming along quietly down the b
thinking harm of no one and never 81
posing any one would think of harmi
her, when the Merrimac, which W
steaming on in her victorious W
en- route to meet her vanquisher, Fri
sons monitor, she paid her complime.
TO the Wilmington vessel whose bol
up on the deck showed most Tempt
target for the artillerists of the rel
monitor The shot went plum throu
!he boiler. just previous to this, no
ever, the Whlldin had laid up
shore to be out of danger. When
shot came whistling along her CIR
Jumped ashore and dlyed like r
over the levce bank, which being fc
a or five feet through and Of mud afford
The boys ample and safe protection
Inc other side. When the terrible "
Tcssel had passed on the Whildi
rev stole aboard again and brous
he vessel on safely home. The Mel
mac, as stated steamed on to meet
antagonist when took place the m