Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-28
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 Plttsburg 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 1t was at that time, Pitts
burg contributed materially toward
the notable victory Of Oliver II. Perry
on Lake Eric Sept. 10. 1918. In Pitts
burg were manufactured the ropes
that were required In the equipment Of
Pcrry's famous fleet.
This was the first instance that has
been placed on record Of Pittsburg's
having furnished the equipment Of
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
~ l,, f,,v tel,
quantity of rope for Perry's fleet on
Lake Erie.
The ropemaking industry was begun
In Pittsburg in 1904, and the first one
to engage extensively in the business
was Colonel John Irwin, a Revolution
airy soldier, who ives severely wound
ed in the battle Of Paoli. After peace
was declared he started in the business
in rittsburg and at the same time es-
tnblished 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 denth having been the result
Of injuries he sustained In the Revo-
lutionary war. The business was at
| tended 10 by Mrs. Irwin, who Is said
| to have been II woman Of extraordinary
energy and ability Later her son as
A.,
ried on under the firm name Of Mary
G. John Irwin.
In 1905 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 it was necessary
to remove the walk to place where
more ground wos available. Conse-
quently in 1912 the works were re-
moved to 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 q
boyish looking fellow who introduced
himself as Oliver II. 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 cordaCe to equip his fleet
Mrs. Irwin made Il contract with the
youthful naval officer. and In due time
the cordage was all finished and deliv.
| cred to Commodore Perry.
tn, to 20 .
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 q notable one. When the entire or
Ter was completed. Mrs. Irwin, who,
though we'll 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 Allie
gheny valley, part way by boats and
part way overland, to the famous bay
Oh the south shore of Lake Erie where
the impatient Perry was busily engag-
ed In getting his little feet ready for
the coming battle which was to mean
| 50 IuItu lOE lHt llltlI'dl NuuSS. Ill q
short time the ropes were all fitted to
their places, and the fleet set sail.
What happened MT 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 Irwins
cordage made Mt Pittsburg, that the
young commodore sent his immortal
dispatch. We have met the enemy,
and they are ours"
Perry ana his men and his stnnch
slips won this notable victory, but the
stout ropes and good cordage made
along puquesne way in the infant city
Of Pittsburg did their share also. for
when they were put to the test they
proved that they were good stuff
rttsburc PT'Ge