The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-12-10

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
1912 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 II. Perry
on Lake Erie Sept. 13, 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 d
| fleet of war for the government, but
since that time the Smoky City has al
ways held a prominent place in the
building Of vessels of war. Those craft
y
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
L. ~, ,;cIa; n
quantity of rope for Perry's fleet 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, a 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 AMI
princes have been entertained, the rope
business was modestly begun.
Colonel Irwin died not long after the
establishment Of his business in the
city, bis 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 a 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 1795 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 busi-
ness grew, and soon 1t was necessary
to remove the walk to 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 fleet.
Mrs. Irwin made 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 orde
| 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 to
| the inspection and packing of the goods.
They were taken by 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 engag
ed in getting his little fleet ready for
| the coming battle which was to mean
SO much for the American cause. In a
short time the ropes were all fitted to
their places. and the feet set sail.
What happened at Put-in-Bay on that
| famous day of Sept. Is, 1913, is known
to every American. 1t was from one of
his victorious ships, fitted with Twins
| cordage made at Pittsburg, that the
| young commodore sent his immortal
| dispatch. eve have met the enemy,
and they are ours"
| Perry and his men and his stanch
| ships won this notable victory, but the
| stout ropes and good cordage made
along Duquesne way in the infant city
Of Pittsburg did their share also, for
when they We're put to the test they
proved that they were good stuff
! Pittsburg Press.
An Elusive Water Lily.
| The water lily Of the Amazon has