The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-12-24
PIT1SBURG CORDAGE
1T WAS a FACTOR IN PERRY,S GREAT
VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE.

The Vessels of the Famous Naval
HerO's Fleet Were Equipped with
Rope Manufactured In the Then
Little More Than Village
While Pittsburg and vicinity figured
prominently in the 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, an inland town and almost
village, as it was at that time. Pitts
burg contributed materially toward
the notable victory of Oliver H. Perry
on Lake Erie Sept Is. 1913 In Pitts
burg were manufactured the ropes
that were 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 Il
fleet Of war for the government, but
since that time the Smoky City has al
ways held prominent place in the
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
Sans ships, the city still sustains its
reputation which was started in such
humble way in 1913 by furnishing Il
quantity of rope for Perry's feet on
Lake Erie.
The ropemaking industry was begun
in Pittsburg in 1894. and the first one
TO engage extensively in the business
was Colonel John Irwin. Revolution
airy soldier, who Yves severely wound
ed in the battle of Paoli. After peace
was declared he started in the business
in Pittsburg and at the same time es-
tablished the first ropewalk west of the
Allegheny mountains. His place of
business was located on the site for so
many years since occupied by the ia
nous old hotel, the Monongahela House.
Here, where 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-
lutionary 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
ried on under. the firm name of Mary
& John Irwin.
In 1895 the rOpewalk 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 good quality
and was in great demand. The bust
ness grew. and soon it was necessary
to remove the walk to a place where
more ground was available. Conse-
quently in 1912 the works were re-
moved to a 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 a
boyish looking fellow who introduced
himself as Oliver III. Perry. He said
that he was building feet of war
vessels on the shore of Lake Erie and
that he would require considerable
quantity of cordage to equip his feet
Mrs. Irwin made a contract with the
youthful naval officer. and in due time
the cordage was all finished and deliv-
cred to Commodore Perry.
The amount of rope in this famous
order was not great compared with
that which is now used in fitting out
our modern sea monsters of ships. but
for the day and the place the order
was a notable one. When the entire or
der was completed. Mrs. Irwin. who.
though well up in years was still in
terested in business and was intensely ,
patriotic, gave personal supervision IL
the inspection and packing of the goods