Quote:
Originally Posted by Russtic
I'm wondering if the Mount's hull is iron or steel. I got my info from the Lake Champlain Transportation website (steel). Rattlesnake Gal says it's iron. Not a big deal but maybe someone knows for sure!
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EXCELLENT Observation: I have questioned this myself. I have seen both mentioned. I'll have to assume that the articles were written by people who are not aware that there is a difference between Iron & Steel. There IS a difference.
Iron came first. Steel came
much later...I don't want to guess when Steel came into general use in ship building. Then there is Steel..and there is CAST Steel. I think I remember that a Big Deal was a "Lump" of CAST Steel being accomplished in 1890 or so, a 480#casting....STEEL.
The Mount was "Welded" back together when it arrived at Lakeport in 1940. Steel can be welded very easily. I am foggy on this...Iron is more difficult to weld. I am (So Far) not knowledgeable in shipbuilding techniques back in the day..
Early ships were Riveted..later they were Welded