Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1904 — PITTSBURG CORDAGE [ARTICLE]

PITTSBURG CORDAGE

' • » ' * f, IT WAS A FACTOR IN PERRY'S GREAT VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE. The Veamli of the Famon Naval Hero’a Fleet Were B«ntpped With Hope Manufactured In the Then Little More Thun Village. While Pittsburg and vicinity figured prominently in the early history of the republic, tbe city lias never laid claim to any great Bhare of the victories achieved by Americans in the war of 1812 because most of the engagements of that conflict took place on the water. But, an inland town and almost village, as It was at that time, Pittsburg contributed materially toward the notable victory of Oliver H, Perry on Lake Erie Sept. 13, 1813. In Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg’s having furnished the equipment of a fleet of war for tbe government, but since that time the Smoky City has always 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 evolution in the construction of war vessels came also the development of industries In Pittsburg, so that now, by the manufacture of armor plate for Uncle Sam’s ships, the city still sustains its reputation which was started in such a humble way in 1813 by furnishing a quantity of rope for Perry's fleet on Lake Erie.

The ropemaking industry was begun in Pittsburg in 1794, and the first one to engage extensively in the business was Colonel John Irwin, a Revolutionary soldier, who wes severely wounded in the battle of Paoli. After peace was declared he started in the business in Pittsburg and at the same time established the first ropewalk west of the Alleghany mountains. His place of business was located on tbe site for so many years since occupied by the famous 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 tbe establishment of his business in the city, his death having been the result of injuries he sustained in the Revolutionary war. The business was attended to by Mrs. Irwin, who is said to have been a woman of extraordinary energy and ability. Later her son assisted her, and the business was carried on under the firm name of Mary & John Irwin.

In 1793 the ropewalk was removed to the square bounded by Liberty avenue, Third and Fourth streets and Redoubt alley. The product turned out by the Irwins was of a good quality and was in great demand. The business grew, and soon it was necessary to remove the walk to a place where more ground was available. Consequently in 1812 the works were removed to a site on the bank of tbe 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 H. Perry. He said that lie was building a fleet of war vessels on the shore of Lake Erie and that lie would require a considerable quantity of cordage to equip his fleet. Mrs, Irwin made a contract with the youthful naval officer, and in due time the cordage was all finished and delivered 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 order was completed, Mrs. Irwin, who, though well up in years was still interested in business and was intensely patriotic, gave personal supervision to the inspection and packing of the goods. They were taken by way of the Allegheny 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 engaged in getting his little fleet ready for the coming battle which was to mean so much for the American cause. In a short time the ropes were ail fitted to their places, and the fleet set sail. What happened at Put-in-Bay on that famous day of Sept. 13, 1813, is known to every American. It was from one of his victorious ships, fitted with Irwin’s cordage 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 liis stanch ships won this notable victory, but the stout ropes and good cordage made along Duqnesne 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.— Pittsburg Pfess.