The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-12-16
PITTSBURG CORDAGE
IT WAS A FACTOR IN PeRRYS GREAT
VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE.

VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE.
The Vessels of the Famous Naval
uero's Fleet Were Equipped with
Rope Manufactured In the Then
little More Thnn village.
While Pi.tsburG and vicinity figured
prominently in tie early history of the
republic the city has never laid claim
to any great share of the Victories
achieved by Americans in the war OF
1872 because most Of the engagements
Of that conflict took place on the wa.
ter But. IN inland town and almost
village, as IL WAS Mt that time, Pitts
burg contributed materially toward
the notable victory of Oliver II. Perry
on Lake Eric Sept 49, 1913. In Pitts
burg were manufactured the ropes
that We're required in the equipment of
Perry's famous fleet.
This was the first instance that has
been placed on record of Pittsburg'S
having furnished the equipment OF
fleet Of war for the government, but
since that time the Smoky City has nj
building of vessels of war. Those craft
of Perry's, of course, were only wooden
affairs, and the amount OF iron about
them was very small. With the evolu.
ton in the construction of war vessels
came also the development Of indus
tries In Pittsburg. SO that now by the
manufacture of armor plate for Uncle
a "a not inc
reputation which was started in such
humble way in 1913 by furnishing n
quantity of rope for Perrys fleet on
Lake Erie
The ropemaking industry was begun
in Pittsburg in 1874, and the first one
TO engage extensively in the business
was Colonel John irwin, n Revolution
ary soldier, who ives severely wound
ed In the battle of Paoli. After peace
was declared lie started in the business
I'm pittsburg aud at the same time es-
tablished the first ropcwalk west of the
Allegheny mountains. His place of
business was located on the site for 50
many years since occupied by the fa-
nous old hotel, the Monongahcla House.
Here, " here since presidents, kings and
princes have been entertained, the rope
business WAS modestly begun.
Colonel Irwin died not long after the
establishment of his business in the
city, his death having been the result
of injuries he sustained in the Revo-
lntionary war. The business was at
tended to by Mrs. Irwin, who is said
To have been woman Of extraordinary
energy and ability Later her son as
sisted her, and the business was car
rled on under the firm name of Mary
&NJohn Irwin
In lI95 the ropewalll was removed
To the square bounded by Liberty ave
nue.. Third and Fourth streets and Re
doubt alley The product turned out
by the Twins WAS of a good quality
and VAS in great demand. The bust
ness grew, aud soon II was necessary
10 remove the walk 10 n place where
more ground was available. Consc-
quently In 1872 the works were re-
moved 10 site on the bank of the
Allegheny river near the Point
Soon after this last removal there
came one day to call on Mrs. Irwin Il
boyish looking fellow who introduced
himself as Oliver IL, Perry. lie said
that he WIS building n fleet of war
vessels ON the shore of Lake Erie and
that he would require II considerable
quantity of corlnge To equip his fleet
Mrs Irwin made Il contract with the
youthful naval officer, and In due time
the corlNge was all finished and dcliV-
cred to Commodore Perry.
The amount of rope in this famous
order was not great compared with
that which is now used in lifting out
our modern sen monsters of ships, but
for the day and the place the order
was notable one When the entire or
der WAS completed, Mrs. Irwin who,
though well up in years was still in
tcrcstcd i'll business and was intensely
patriotic, gave personal supervision to
the Inspection and packing of the goods
They We're taken 10y way of the ALE
gheny valley, part way by boats and
part way overland, To the famous bay
ON the south shore of Lake Erie where
the impatient Perry was busily cngag
ed in getting his little fleet ready for
the coming battle which was TO mean
SO much for the American cause. In Il
short time the ropes were all fitted To
their places, and the fleet set sail
What happened ut Putin Bay on that
famous day of Sept. -, 1913, is known
to every American 1t was from one OF
his victorious slips, lifted with Irwins
cordage made ut l'ittsburg, that the
young commodore sent his immortal
dispatch. We have met the enemy,
and they are ours
Perry aud his men and his stanch
ships won this notable victory, but the
stout ropes aud good Cordug, made
along puquesnc way in the infant city
of fittsburg did their share also. for
when they We're put to the test they
proved that they We're good stuff
PlttsburE l'less.
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Au Elusive water I.iIy,