Video Parts (2)
This clip is Part 1 of a 2-part film.
Ford Eagle Boats Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: Worker standing piece of metal against machine - worker cutting off section of ‘I’ beam with large circular saw, lifting sawed-off piece - forms made of strips of wood or metal - workers punching holes in sheet of metal - worker operating large press with large sheet of metal in it - workers moving piece of metal plating with block and tackle to large clamp, worker pounding plating and bending it - workers bouncing sheet of plating in clamp to bend it, pounding it with sledge hammers and sitting on plating to bend it - bent piece lifted from clamp with block and tackle - lifted over to keelson, attached to form bottom of ship - view of keelson - workers working on keelson. “The Engine type of the ‘Eagle’ is a steam turbine geared to the propeller shaft and driving a three blade screw.” Chain attached to keelson, lifted - boat supported on shoring, workers on top of and alongside boat - workers beneath keelson. “140 tons of fuel oil will be required to fill the ‘Eagle’ tanks. This has nothing to do with ‘Gasless’ Sundays, however.” Workers on top of boat putting on deck plating. “America and her allies cannot afford to flinch until Junkerism is put down wherever it exists. Henry Ford.” Eagle boat, shoring, scaffolding and ladder up side of boat, workers. “Oil will be used for fuel, her tank capacity being more than sufficient to carry her across the Atlantic.” Worker welding rudder, workers, screw in background - view of stern, workers. “‘Men don’t work for money alone. The things of life that are worthwhile, make the strongest appeal to the workman. Above all he must have something to hope for in the future. Today he has that something. Democracy.’ Henry Ford.” Eagle boat at dock, men on shore boarding ship - ore freighter in river - four freighters side by side - group of men posing on deck of ship, ventilators. “Special machinery cuts every piece to exact measurements.” Worker cutting off section of ‘I’ beam with large circular saw - worker holding large sheet of metal in press - large piece of plating held up by chain in large hole puncher, workers. “Parts are bent to exact shape.” Sheet of metal in large press. “Air compressors used for riveting develop 690,000 cubic feet of air each hour.” Workers riveting - compressor. “By this time you have come to realize that building a ship in this manner is an assembly job. Fitting numbered parts and riveting them together.” Overhead crane with part of deck cabin - workers gathered around rudder - view of nearly completed boat - flatcar. “When an Eagle is ready for launching, the flatcar upon which she rests is hauled out onto the transfer table.” View of ‘Eagle I’ on shoring inside building, spectators, U.S. flag. “The transfer table is a huge platform considerably longer and wider than an ‘Eagle’ mounted on car wheels which run on rails at right angles to those running out of the building.” Eagle boat on transfer table rolling out of plant, spectators. “The ‘Eagle’ is then hauled onto the lowering table which, controlled by a system of valves, is lowered into the launching slip and another ‘Eagle’ is ready to soar.” Eagle boat moving onto loitering table, workers. ‘“I have placed myself, my resources, my organization, everything I have, at the command of the government -- to do everything possible to make this the last war.’ Henry Ford.” [1918]
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