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TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE INTRODUCTION………………………………………….. 1 PART ONE. OAK RIBS, CANVAS AND PADDLE-WHEELS I. THE TIDE FLOWS WEST (1800-1825)…………………… 7 II. THE TOWNS AND THE MEN (1825-1880)……………..... 19 III. THE END OF AN ERA (1870-1900)………………………. 77 PART TWO. THE BIG SPLASH - STEEL IV. THE FORERUNNERS (1865-1898)……………………....... 91 V. A LEGACY - AMERICAN SHIP BUILDING COMPANY.. 99 BIBLIOGRAHY……………………………………………... 115 NEW SECTIONS ADDED TO ORIGINAL THESIS FOREWORD………………………………………………… PREFACE……………………………………………………. DR. RICHARD J. WRIGHT MEMORY……………………. NEW INDEX OF VESSELS, PEOPLE, AND PLACES…… BIOGRAPHIES OF SHIPBUILDERS……………………….