The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-06

=
building. 1t is to human mechanism what
the creation OF life itself is TO divine
hands. $50 81 @-ra.,- =.
Nothing in the whole range of mans
power quite equals the sending forth upon
the oceans Il great vessel which shall
travel, laden with men and the commerce
OF ali nations, from continent TO CONT
nent.
This is an age Of shipbuilding. Remark
ably enough, almost every age has been.
The old saying was that mountains di-
vide, waters unite countries. Men who
live on opposite sides of the mountain do
not know each other. Perchancc they
speak different tongues Those who live
across the river from each other are
neiGhbors, if not friends. That has ever
been the experience of people. 1t is be-
cause to build a beat and to use 4 boat
is one of the strong passions of men,
SHIP IN THE ANCIENT WORLD.
No thought ever entertained by the
Greek mind was more fascina ting than
that Of what was beyond the water
which, in his cosnlogony, surrounded the
world. 1t was next TO his conceptions of
the dcities. Indeed, it was associated
with them for beyond the boiling seas
were the Elysian Fields, the home OF
those whom the Gods loved and had
blesscd-the poets and philosophers.
Greece and every nation with a sea
coast built ships. Men have ever thought
Of them as close kin to creatures, and
have in all periods of the worlds history
given them nalncs-speakinG of them as
of persons and thinking of them as OF
something to be cared for, TO trust in,
and to be proud or.
And next to the ship is the locomotive.
Every one is acquainted with the genuine
affection which the engineer has for "ole
Bess." or whatever he may fancy to call
the engine on which he spends SO much
of his life. He takes pride in IT. It., is
his companion. IIe talks to it as to
a person. half believing that 1t hears ana
understands.
RICHMOND DOUBLY BLESSED.
Richmond is probably HE most fortun-
ate city of its size in America. It's north
ern limit is bounded by a mug p,a,.e a. a.
plcying many hundreds OF men "ho, &c.
vote the work-days of their lives solely
to making locomotives.
In almost direct line With 1t anc over
flowing the southern edge Is anot.,er iioee
establishment where other hlhdreos OF
men spend the lire-lonS days making
ships. o,o e +be
No one needs TO De seoiu Ira Al,
richmond Locomotive WORKS, aiiu ,s1te
atro- ia the William r. TriSE shlpyards.
A. thc latter plant one can now Ht.n 9
.,.;,,e ir every stage of CONSTRUCTION. u
two the keels are barely lad; several al { :
waiting their finishing touches. several
theirs are in various degrees OIL coh'l.e-
ton. 49, ,,,yo
The boats now on Tie ways-tnat aaNe
rot gone ..overboard,'' TO use the Earc
MIRO ss-are the Galveston. uunted states
cruiser; powerful tug. building LOT .tne
Pennsylvania Railroad COMPANY, tanh
steamer for the Standard Oil CompanS'
and q huge dredge.
The tug gees overheard, or is launcheu,
This week proba bly,, while 1T viii DC a.
| most cold weather, again before the Gal
| weston takes her initial plunge. IT VIII
1. DO later in the year yet,w when the tanker
| and the dredse go over
| THE PRACTICAL NAY
| There are two ways OF building ships
| One is practical.
The stages in this noble procession arc
1 given here:
A steamship company decides TO nave
| q vessel of certain class built; circulars
are sent to responsible .shipyards5 OF the
country. They outline The character OF
| thes.sfip. desired; the. shinbutlcer refers
the circular to his SCIENTIFIC department
and there the cost of sacli--A vessel is
carefully estimated; bid Is sent in. On
| fxcd date all the bids received, are
opened and the lowest bidder gets the
| contract. The whining yard is notified
| and prcarations begin at once for tho
splendid piece of workmanship ahead. e
A set Of lines showing tie moulded