Browsing named entities in Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing). You can also browse the collection for Palatine (West Virginia, United States) or search for Palatine (West Virginia, United States) in all documents.

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Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Ellet, Charles, 1810- (search)
Ellet, Charles, 1810- Engineer; born in Penn's Manor, Bucks co., Pa., Jan. 1, Charles Ellet. 1810; planned and built the first wire suspension bridge in the United States, across the Schuylkill at Fairmount; and planned and constructed the first suspension bridge over the Niagara River below the Falls, and other notable bridges. When the Civil War broke out he turned his attention to the construction of steam rams for the Western Ellet's stern-wheel ram. rivers, and a plan proposed by him to the Secretary of War (Mr. Stanton) was adopted, and he soon converted ten or twelve powerful steamers on the Mississippi into rams, with which he rendered great assistance in the capture of Memphis. In the battle there he was struck by a musket-ball in the knee, from the effects of which he died, in Cairo, Ill., June 21, 1862. Mr. Ellet proposed to General McClellan a plan for cutting off the Confederate army at Manassas, which the latter rejected, and the engineer wrote and published
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Philadelphia, (search)
ew York, and the greatest patriotic efforts were exerted in the Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia. preparation of defences in both cities. In Philadelphia a public meeting was held in the State-house yard on Aug. 26, and a committee of defence was appointed, with ample powers. A fort was planned near Gray's Ferry and Darby roads; also a redoubt opposite Hamilton's Grove another upon the Lancaster road, and a third upon the site of an old British redoubt on the southern side of the hill at Fairmount, which would command the bridge at Market Street and the roads leading to it. To construct these works, the volunteer assistance of the citizens was given, and a hearty enthusiasm was shown in the service. Societies, trades, and religious associations of every kind labored systematically under the direction of the committee. Work began on Sept. 3, and ended on Oct. 1, when the fieldworks were completed. The method of procedure in the labor was as follows: Arriving at the fortifications
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Wernwag, Lewis 1769-1843 (search)
Wernwag, Lewis 1769-1843 Civil engineer; born in Alteburg, Germany, Dec. 4, 1769; settled in Philadelphia in 1786. Not long afterwards he constructed a machine for manufacturing whetstones. He next became a builder of bridges and powermills. In 1809 he laid the keel of the first United States frigate built in the Philadelphia navy-yard; in 1812 he built a wooden bridge across the Schuylkill River at Philadelphia, which became known as the Colossus of Fairmount and which was till that time the longest bridge ever constructed, having a single arch with a span of 340 feet. About 1813, when he settled in Phoenixville, Pa., he began experiments for the purpose of utilizing anthracite coal. For a time he found it most difficult to ignite it, but later, by closing the furnace doors and making a draft beneath the coal, he succeeded in producing combustion. Later he invented a stove in which he burned coal in his own home. He died in Harper's Ferry, Va., Aug. 12, 1843.