Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1904-01-30
PITTSBURG 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 Oh
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. Is, 1918. 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 Pittsburgs
having furnished the equipment OF Il
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 crart
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 us
renutation which was started in such
q humble way in 1913 by furnishing
quantity of rope for Perry's fleet on
Lake Erie.
The ropemaking industry was begun
In Pittsburg in 1874, and the hrst one
TO engage extensively in the business
was Colonel John Irwin, Revolution
ary soldier. who ives severely wound
ed in the battle Of Paol. 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 or
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 a woman Of extraordinary
energy and ability. Later her son as
sisted her. and the business was car
Red on under the firm name OF Mary
& John Irwin.
In I795 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 Irwins was Of good quality
and was In great demand. The bust
ness grew. and soon 1t was necessary
10 remove the walk to place where
more ground was available. Conse-
ouently 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 II. Perry. He said
that he was building a feet of wal
vessels Oh the shore Of Lake Erie and
that he would require a considerable
quantity of cordage TO equip his fleet
Mrs. Irwin made q contract with tie
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 we'll up in years was still In
terested in business and was intensely
patriotic, gave personal supervision tC
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 fol
the coming battle which was to near
so much for the American cause. In
short time the ropes were all fitted tC
their places, and the fleet set sail
What happened at Put-in-Bay on that
famous day of Sept 10, 1913, is known
to every American. 1t was from one OF
his victorious ships, fitted with Irwin'S
cordage made at Pittsburg, that the
young commodore sent his Immortal
dispatch, 1--WE have met the enemy
and they are OURS"
Perry and his men and his stancf
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, fol
when they were put to the test they
proved that they were good stuff
Pittsburg Press.