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The Wolverine as she looked in 1923 when making her last voyage on the Great Lakes WOLVERINE, First Iron Ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry’s famous battle of Lake Erie, in which the historic NraGara took so prominent a part, there was launched at Erie, Pa., the U. S. S. MiIcHIGAN, now the WoLvERINE. Those thirty years covered what is probably the era of the most revolutionary transition from old to new in ship construction, the NIAGARA representing the wooden ship of sail- ing days, and the Micuigan the mod- ern steamer. Through the treaty of Ghent in 1814 and the subsequent Rush-Bagot agree- ment of 1817, it was permissible for the United States and Canada each to build and operate on the Great Lakes one 600-ton armed ship. Canada never took advantage of this privilege, but in 1841 and 1842 the United States ordered plans drawn for the paddle wheel, bark rigged steamer MicHiGaAN. The hull was designed by Naval Constructor Samuel Hart, U. S. N., and the engines and boilers by C. W. Copeland. Both engines and boilers were built by Stackhouse & Tomlinson, then of Pittsburgh. T ores years after Commodore First Iron Ship on Lakes In 1843 the actual work of construct- ing the ship was started in Pittsburgh. The plates, frames and other iron parts were prepared there ready for assemb- ling and then were transported labori- ously most likely by oxen teams, overland to Erie, as the railroad was not yet available. At the foot of 14 French street the work of assembling the ship was begun. The plates, of charcoal iron about three-eighths of an inch thick, were presumably beaten into shape with wooden mauls in a bed of sand. Three heavy box keel- sons run the length of the ship, while two shorter keelsons form the founda- tion for the engine frame. The MicHiGAN was the first iron ship of the United States navy and also the first iron ship to sail the waters of the Great Lakes. Even to- day the plates show little of the rav- ages of water, wind and weather, and it is stated that the ship never devel- oped any structural weakness despite the fact that she has exnerienced many a hard Great Lakes gale. An iron ship in those days was a radically new departure steam propul- sion was hardly less so. Various crude forms of steam engines had been tried and in the MicHiGAn there was placed the very latest type of engine then developed. These were two inclined direct acting condensing engines, placed side by side, the cylinders being 36 inches in diameter with an 8 foot stroke. Oddly enough these same en-- gines still rest in the ship. They were used continuously during the 80 years that she sailed, and finally carried her to her home port at the end. With some repairs they could still be used. Her two original iron boilers lasted nearly 50 years, having been replaced during the winter of 1892 and 1893. Wood served as fuel until coal became MARINE’ REVIEW—July, 1934 A\merican Navy BY DANA T. BOWEN more readily available. In her early career the MICHIGAN also carried sails as a means of propulsion. Laid Down at Erie During 18438 the MiIcHIGAN was launched into the waters of Hrie bay was completed and outfitted the fol- lowing year. An odd.and interesting event is associated with her launching. Many curious spectators gathered to see the new iron ship take to the waters and doubt as to her ability to float was prevalent. As the vessel started down the ways to the water, she became stuck and could not be budged. The spectators eventually left the scene and the story has it, that, during the night she launched herself, and was found floating proud- ly in the bay the next morning. The MICHIGAN was placed in com- mission Aug. 9, 1843 and made her first Great Lakes cruise 1844 under command of William P. Inman, who sailed her until Oct. 24, 1845. Her com- mand was then taken by Capt. Stephen Champlin, who it is reported, was a cousin of Oliver Hazard Perry, and who commanded one of Perry's vessels, the Scorpion, in the battle of Lake Erie. Captain Champlin sailed the MicuieGAn for three years, after which followed a list of 37 command- ers, the last being Lieut. Commander William L. Morrison of Erie, Pa. Among the outstanding details of the ship are: length, 168 feet: beam, 27 feet; draft, 10 feet; and displace-