Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-01-13
PITTSBURG CORDAGE
1T WAS A FACTOR ~ PsRRY's GREAT
VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE.

The vessels OF the Famous Naval
Hero'- Fleet Were Equipped with
Rope Manufactsred In the Then
Little More Than Village.
While Pittshurg and vicinity figured
prominently in the early history OF the
republic, the city has never laid claim
10 any great share OF the victories
achieved by Americans in the war OF
iolz because most o. the enga gements
OF mat conflict took place on the wa
ter But, an inland town and almost
village, as II was at that time. Pitts
burg contributed materially toward
the notable victory OF Oliver II. Perry
on Lake Erie Sept. l3. 1913. In Pitts
burg We're 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 a
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
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 developments of indus
tries IN Pittsburg. SO that now. by the
manufacture OF armOr plate for Uncle
Sams ships. the city still sustains its
reputation which was started i'm such
a humble way in 1913 by furnishing
quantity Of rope for Perry's feet on
Lake Erie
The ropemaking industry was begun
in Pittsburg in 1874, and the first one
TO engage extensively I'm the business
was Colonel John Irwin. Revolution
AIRY soldier. who ives severely wound
ed in the battle Of Paou. After peace
was declared he started in the business
in PittShurg and at the same time es-
tahhshcd the first ropewalk west OF the
Allegheny mountains. His place OF
business was located on the site for so
many years since occupied 10y 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 I'm the
city. his death having been the result
Of injuries he sustained in the Revo-
iuuonary war. The business was at
tended 20 10y Mrs. Irwin. who is said
To- have been q woman of extraordinary
energy and ability. Later her son as
sisted her, aud the business was car
ried on under the firm name OF Mary
* John Irwin.
In lG" the ropewalk was removed
60 tho square bounded by Liberty ave-
uue. Third and Fourth streets and Re
doubt alley. The product turned out
10y che Irwins was OF "a good quality
ami was in great demand. The BUSH
ness grew, and soon ia was necessary
90 remove the walk to place where
more ground was available Consc-
qucntiy m 1872 the works were re-
moved TO site on the bank OF the
Allegheny river near tho Point
Soon after this last removal there
came one day TO caIi on Mrs. Irwin
boyish looking Fellow who introduced
himself as oliver H. Perry lie said
that he was building a dcet OF war
vessels on the shore of Lake Erie and
that he would require considerable
quantity of cord0gc 20 equip his dcet.
Mrs. Irwin made a contract with the
youthful naval officer. and in due time
the cor,la-c was ou Finished and 5arfr-
ercd 20 Commodore Perry
The amount Of rope IN this famous
order was not great comn,rr5 VIII,
that which is now used I'M 6,tinr onr
our modern sen monsters of >hins b,,+
for the day and the pIace tbe order
was a notable one. When tb, .nti~, o,..
der was CONNECTED Mrs Irwin v-r,
though wcu up I'm Years WAS stu fn-
tcrcStc,l I'm h,l~iness sr7 ,-.,s f,+..,..r,-