Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-11
A MAINE BATTLESHIP.
HOW ONE Is BUILT AT BATH
IRON WORKS.
A MAMMOTH MAINE INDUSTRY Oh
WHICH MAINE PEOPLE KNOW SUR
PRIsINeLy LITTLE.

The building OF Il great modern battle-
ship, with all its complicated machinery,
Is a stupendous undertaking. So vast is
the amount of work to be performed, and
so intricate are the details to be mastered,
that there are but very few plants in this
country where such a contract can even
be considered.
Maine has always been shipbuildlng
State. The countless harbors that line her
coast have offered facilities in this d.
rection that are possessed by no other
section Of our country. The contact
with old ocean has given her people an
adaptation for this industry that they
have not been slow to improve. In the
building and manning OF wooden vessels
she has led the world, and her prestige Is
not likely to die with the practical pass
ing OF that class OF ships.
Evolution has wrought a mighty
change in the industry we are consider
ing. Especially is this true Of that class
of ships used in nations defence or
aggression. The changes that took place
between the battle of CaliInss and the
middle Of the niheteenth century, were
not 40 marked OF .a1ieAi as those which
have been made since The first monitor
demonstrated It's wonderful possibilities
In Hampton Roads, Fortunately for our
State, we have had men with the brain
and energy TO keep pace with the march
OF events, and to-day Maine stands, as
she has ever stood, in the front rank of
shipbuilding communities.
Men who distinguish themselves in
battle are apt to distinguish themselves in
other fields OF human effort. At the close
of the Civil war, Gen. Thomas w. Hyde,
OF Bath, returned to his native city and
entered into the foundry business. His
plant was an inferior one, and his opera
tions were on a limited scale; but he was
made OF the stuff that is never contented
with the present. Improvements were
Immediately made and the business en-
larged. Being OF mechanical turn of
mind, he soon invented what Is known as
the Hyde windlass, device which quick
ly found popular favor and brought both
fame aud cash. This was but the Begin
ming OF a long series OF inventions per-
tanning to ship chandiery, during which
time the business steadily grew.
In 1859 Gen. Hyde entered the ship
building business and organized the Bath
Iron Works, OF which he was elected
president. From the very first he was
recognized by the United States govern
ment as an expert, and within one year
after the organization OF the plant, con-
tracts were signed for the building OF the
gunboats "Castine" and "Machias.n The
success OF these vessels is we'll known.
They hold the record for excess of speed,
over the contract, among all the fighting
craft in the United States navy, and
their building established the reputation
and placed the Bath Iron Works in the
front rank among the great shipbuilding
plants OF the world.
Since that time the success OF the firm
has been uninterrupted. At this plant
has been built the largest steam yacht,
the fastest ocean going steam yacht, the
composite fighting ships and the fastest
torpedo boats in the world. To-day their
orders are outrunning their capacity, and
one of the greatest problems before them
to solve is how their plant can best be en-
larged.
Gen. Hyde died two years ago, but the
great establishment which he founded
still lives. His Oldest son, Edward W..
Hyde, was elected to the presidency of
the concern, and younger son, John s..
HYDE. became the vice-pressdent and
manager, Never before in the history
OF the firm has its possibilities been as
great or its prospects so bright. The
Bath Iron Works is to-day an enduring
monument to the untiring energy, zeal
and far-seeing ability OF the soldier,
statesman, financier and scholar-Gen.
Thomas w. Hyde.
BUILDING A wARsHIP.
In building warship it is quite neces-
sary to follow the example OF the famous
receipt for cooking rabbit-first secure
vour government contract. A hundred
strings are here brought into play, but
chief among them all is fitness. A ma
toms defence is too important matter
to be trifed with, and consequently poll
tics play a small part In this initial
measure. Fortunately the Bath Iron
works have the confidence OF the nation
as well as the navy department, and when
ever Congress orders an additional num-
her or warships they are certain to secure
their share.
AS soon as the contract has been signed
and the general dimensions made known,