Video Parts (2)
This clip is Part 1 of a 2-part film.
Ford Eagle Boat Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: Hull of Eagle boat on shoring. “Here’s a chap who’s driving nails in the Kaiser’s coffin for each day he drives twelve hundred rivets in an ‘Eagle.’” “Not only is the ‘Eagle’ an entirely new type of craft but the manner of construction is peculiarly different from anything attempted before.” Man working on hull of Eagle boat set up on shoring. “The ‘Eagle’ is two hundred and four feet in length, consequently she can pass through the Welland Canal and down the St. Lawrence in her hunt for U-boats.” “In design the ‘Eagle’ is officially new. Nothing like her has ever been built. Composed almost entirely of straight lines and plain surfaces, she gives promise of speed and stability.” Man on scaffolding working on side. “Not only is the ‘Eagle’ an entirely new type of craft but the manner of construction is peculiarly different from anything attempted before.” “Thirteen punch presses with a capacity of fifty holes in one operation…44 single punch presses…two 80-ton riveting hammers and hundreds of air hammers are merrily singing the Kaiser’s death knell.” Punch press in operation. “‘American mechanisms -- designed by American engineers, constructed by American workers and operated by American fighters…are going to win the war on land, on water, and in the air.’ Henry Ford.” Man working on side of boat - workers riveting. “Within this short period immense buildings have sprung into being, and ships have been launched -- and the Kaiser said we couldn’t and wouldn’t fight.” Workers attaching rudder. “The lowering table is the largest hydraulic elevator in the world and in many ways the conspicuous element in this new ship building plan.” Eagle boat on lowering table, workers. “When an ‘Eagle’ is drawn upon the lowering table the total weight supported by the four hydraulic cylinders, which support the table, is two thousand tons or approximately four million pounds.” Eagle boat being lowered into water - boat moving out of launching area - view from above of Eagle boats at dock, river, construction site and pile drivers on far side of river - workers assembling superstructure of boat, 2/12/18. Superstructure being erected, 2/16/18. Keel plating lowered by crane, placed on superstructure, 2/17/18. Close-up of workers placing plating on levers, raising plating and attaching it to superstructure - workers laying an “I” beam for the keelson - accelerated scene of worker attaching plating to keelson - support pieces on table - workers attaching beam of superstructure to keelson. [1918]
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