The sun., 1900-06-19
IMMENSE FORGING PLANT
A New Industry That Will
Employ Thousands Of
Men.
A LARGE TRACT PURCHASED
The Delaware Forge and Steel Com
pany, Recently incorporated
With Capital of so, 100000,
Will Erect Large Buildings
in South Wilmington,

About 200 acres of land on the north
size OF the Chrstiana below the mouth
of the Brandywine have been purchased
by the Delaware Forge and Steel Com
pany, recently incorporated with a
capital OF $5,000000.
An immense forging plant will be
erected on the ground. The company
will almost Immediately commence the
erection of its office buildings. The forge
alone will occupy 400 by 1900 feet and
will necess!tate the expenditure OF half a
million dollars. Besides this there will
be large machine shop OF about the
same size as the forge building. One line
of business which the company will pre-
pare to handle is the making of shafts
for vessels. Some of the large shafts
have to be made in England or Germany.
In one recent year l32 vessels either had
shafts repaired or new shafts made, work
being done in England or Germany.
John Fritz, the head of the new con-
Germ, made the new shaft for the steamer
Oregon at Bethlehem. The company
expects the Levy Court to build Seventh
street bridge this year, and that will
make convenient access to the works. In
discussing the reasons for bringing this
large concern here, one Of the men inter-
ested said today that there were four:
First, the securing of the $500, 600 APP
propriation from Congress to make 26
ioot channel at high water and to build
two iptties to enable that depth to be
maintained second, the fact that the
Christana harbor is the ideal spot be-
tween the bay and Philadelphia for the
locotion OF p ant Of this size and nature,
because the channel is practically kept
free Of ice in winter and is below the
shoal water Of the horseshoe; third, the
work Of Mr.. Wallace in interesting capi-
talists and iron and steel men in the
benefits of Wilmington, and fourth, the
beneticent effect OF the new general in
corporation law, which bears out the as
sertion made by its friends that it would
tries to Delaware and Wilmington.
The Diamond State Steel CO., and the
Delaware Forge and Steel Co., are be-
lieved to be but forernnners OF other in
dustries, that will locate here because of
the liberality and fairness OF that law.
For the securing OF the 5000 600 appro-
priation for the harbor, credit is largely
due former Senator Gray and former
Representative Handy and to William
I4awton and Alvin Il. Morrison of the
b )ard of Trade.
The new concern has the largest capi-
tai of any bona tide company doii g
business in Delaware under the new in
corporation law. Its incorporates are
j. G. Osgood of New York, one of the
largest steel men in the country, who is
also connected with several coal and
coke companies; John Fritz, of Bethle-
hem, Pa, the builder of the Bethlehem
Forge, and known throughout tine coun.
try as great forge maker; II. S. Smyth,
Of Bethlehem, well-known capitalist;
John Strambaugh. Jr., an iron man and
| capitalist OF Pittsburg; Seward Babbitt,
of Pittsburg. " no is connected with the
Todd Engine Company, OF Youngstown,
@ Walter NJ. German, of Philadelphia,
a director OF the Diamond Steel Company;
| Howard 7. Wallace, of this city, presi-
| dent OF the Diamond State Steel Com
pmy; William Lawton, president OF the
| Wilmington Board of Trade, and j. Err
nest Smith, the attorney.
The conipany's charter was prepared
and filed by Mr.. Smith, who also han
died the purchase of the large block of
property.
The officers of the new concern are:
President, John Fritz; Vice President,
Seward Babbtt; Secretary and Treasurer,
Howard L. Wallace.
1t is understood that a considerable
number OF large capitalists of New York
and the middle west will be interested
in the company.
The land purchased was secured prin-
cipally from William Lawton, Alvin r.
Morrison and Thomas J. Talley.
1t is bounded bv Fourth street, the p,
w. q B. cut off, the Christana and the
National Dredging Company and govern
ment properties. The company will
make heavy forgings and under the
powers of its charter may largely extend
the branches of its business in any line
consistent Herewith, and this will neces-
state the employment of larger num-
Der of skilled laborers than is now con-
templated.
1t is expected that several thousand
men will be employed and it will be a
class of men which will be beneficial to
4 h. o.k