The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-01-08
PITTSBURG CORDAGE
IT wAs A FACTOR IN PsRRY's GREAT
VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE.
The Vessels of the Famous Naval
Hero's Fleet Were Equipped with
Rope Manufactures In the Then
Little More Than Village.


Rope Aanufnctured In the Then
Little More Than Village.
While Pittsburg 3ad vicinity figured l
prominently in the early history of the
republic. the city ha:; never laid claim |
to any great share of the victories /
achieved 10y 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 aim s.
village. as IL was at that time. Pitts
burg contributed materially toward
the notable victory OF Oliver ii. Perry
ON Lake Erie Sept. i3. 1913 In Pitts
burg were manufactured the rope
that Were required in the equipment OF
Perry's famous fleet.
This was the first instance that has
been placed on record OF Pitisburgs
having furnished the equipment Of a
feet 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
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 Pittsburs. So that nDw. by the
manufacture of armor plate for Uncle
Sans ships. the city still sustains its
reputation which was started in such
a humble way In 1913 by furnishing
quantity of rope for Perry's feet on
Lake Erie.
Ii M fry l..lrrr
In Pittsburg in lT9I. and the first one
TO engage extensively in the business
was Colonel John Irwin, Revolution
airy soldier. who ives severely wound
ed in the battle OF Paoli After peace
was declared be 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 or 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
ried on under the firm name OF Mary
* John Irwin.
| In lT95 the ropewalk was removed
to the square bounded by Liberty ave
nue.. Third and Fourth streets aud Re
doubt alley. The product turned out
by the Irwins was OF a good quality
and was in great demand. The busi-
ness grew. and soon ii was necessary
TO remove the walk to Il place where
more ground was available. Conse-
quently in 1912 the works were re
moved 10 n 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
boyish looking fellow who introduced
himself as Oliver IL. Perry. He said
that he was building fleet of war
vessels on the shore OF Lake Erie and
that he would require n considerable
quantity OF cordage to equip his fleet.
Mrs. Irwin made contract with the
youthful naval officer. and in due time
the coriage 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 &c
the inspection and packing OF the goods
They were taken by way of the ALE
.heny valley. part way by boats and
nart way overland. TO the famous bay
IN the south shore of Lake Erie where
lie impatient Perry was busily engag
d In getting his little feet ready fol
he coming battle which was to mean
o much for the American cause. In q
hort time the ropes were all fitted tc
heir places. and the feet set sail
What happened at Iut-in-Bay on thai
'amous day OF Sept l3. 1918. is known
o every American. II was from one OF
his victorious ships. fitted with Irwin's
-ordage made at Pittsburg. that the
young commodore sent his Immortal
| dispatch. "We have met the enemy
and they are ours"
Perry and his men and his stancf
ships won this notable victory. but thu
stout ropes and good coriage mad'
along Duquesne way in the infant citl
of Pittsburg did their share also. 70
when they were put TO the test the!
proved that they were good stuff
/ pittslurp Press