The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-02-25
SHIP BUILDING IN re 0LDEN Time,
(BY JOHN SCHUETTE. J

pare the new with the old way.
And so it came to pass that | was re
minded of the building and launching
of vessel here in 1853 from the place
where the postoffice now stands.
In those days there was but little
capital, while at our present day 800,
900 is easier obtainable than $1,000 then
but in spite of this there were here two
young progressive tailors named Ander.
son and johnson, and | believe Captain
Simpson, all of whom had no capital to
speak of, who aimed TO higher positions
This enterprsing trio conceived the
idea to build vessel and created the
capital by buying all the merchandise
they could get trusted for in Chicago and
Milwaukee, in all about $1,000 90 worth
to be paid when the logs came down in
the spring. These We're the usual terms
goods We're bought on.
Then they opened store in the Demp-
sey building just burnt. A contract for
Il vessel was made with Hanson Rand
father Of Elisha, Ed. and G Rand, the
latter the builder of most Of the Good.
rich boats.
All the material and labor going into
the vessel was paid for in store pay and
a little cash which might be taken in for
goods sold which was but an insignificant
amount. This kind of fnancering went
on harmoniously-no kicks and strikes
of any kind
Evenings the little store was crowded
by the ship carpenters, drinking whis-
key, smoking, and telling stories, and
suppose this diversion and Hberality
crowded out the thought of striking.
As the bowels of the store contracted,
the hull of the vessel expanded and grew
preceptibly to completion.
When spring balmy breezes enlivened
the logs to come down, the merchants
from Chicago and Milwaukee came
around TO look for their pay These had
also heard that their goods bad been de-
voured by the vessel which would soon
be launched and take to her wings and
sail, God knows where on the bUundless
sea. Fearing that they might lose all
they persisted in either being paid what
was due them, or holding the vessel on
solid ground.
In those dsys the launching of vessel
was great event in our little village
and the naming of her the most interest
ing feature. Long before the time it
kept the whole population guessing what
the name might be. This was always
tried 10 be kept "A profound secret, and
only disclosed when the pennant was
unfurled just when the vessel was slid
ing down the ways.
But in this instant the owners did not
well guard the secrecy, because they
showed Mr.. Pfeffer who was kind OF
an artistic carver, the picture of Column
bus, and engaged him to carve bust
like it, for figure head for their vessel
This would not have exposed the name
if it had not appeared below the picture,
which endangered the secret, and when
ladies were engaged to sew the pennant
with the name of Columbus on it, it
gave the secret dead away Consequent
Iy it was known all over town that the
vessels name would be Columbus. But
for once all were deceived, as the fol
lowing will show.
The merchants crowded the owners to
the wall, they threatened to sue, attach,
enjoin, etc, and when these well mean
ing progressive individuals could hold
out no longer, they looked around for rein
forcement, and knowing o. Aug. Baensch,
the father of Emil Baensch," whose
stock of merchandise was not yet all ex.
hausted, appealed to him for assistance.
This appeal WAS not in vain and Baensch
agreed to take an interest in the vessel
But on the condition that the name Co.
lumbus, dead these many hundreds of
years, must give place to a live person,
and this was his wife.
The artist carver was then asked if he
could change the bust of Columbus to the
bust of female But he said az our Gre
ator could not do such a thing, no artist
could be expected to do an impossible
thing" SO the bust of Columbus was
thrown in the scrap pile but think the
Columbus flag is yet in the garret.
When the launching took place, and
the vessel slid down the ways and
the flag gradually unfurling the letters
G E-SI-N f all We're amazed and did
not trust their eyes. After all had re
covered there was a great discussion a.
to how it should be pronounced. Al.
though / always claimed it ought to be
as Jesine, she has always been known
and pronounced ~ Cessna.
She has had a very successful career
and finally pounded to pieces in the en-
trance of the harbor of Michigan City in
1887, at the age of thirty four years.