Out Come the Big Guns

As the new century begins, all the major steel-producing countries are in a heated race to try to match the naval capability of Britain. Each has built up a large fleet of battleships with thickly-armored steel hulls.

But these are all rendered essentially useless when Britain launches a new type of battleship, with more than twice the firepower of previous types. It's also longer and faster, making every existing battleship instantly obsolete.

Britain has ruled the seas for 100 years, with a navy that none could match. The race is now on to see if she can maintain that lead, with second-generation warships. Only the biggest steel-producing nations can compete.
Naval arms race, 1910

  Steel Battleships
The naval race is sparked by an American naval historian (top right), who publishes an influential book on the importance of naval power in history. Within 15 years of its publication, all four of the world's leading steel-producing nations have at least 20 first-generation battleships, including America. Now, a new race has begun to build second-generation warships.

Duluth ore loading docks, 1910

  Load 'er Up
Most of the ore from the Mesabi Range in Minnesota is shipped by rail down to Duluth, at the very western tip of Lake Superior. Four great loading docks (top and bottom left) are built to service the growing fleet of ore boats that move the mountains of ore being scooped from great open-pit mines. By 1910, there are 100 new ore boats longer than 500 feet, which are true monsters (lower right). The largest can hold 6,000 tons, or the contents of 150 rail cars.


Coal country, 1910

  Dig it Out
By 1910, America is producing more coal than any other nation (top left). Most coal used by steel mills is of the soft variety, which is shipped up to the blast furnaces and steel mills in an endless parade of barges (lower left).  Hard coal, which comes from fields on the other side of the mountains, must be broken up in tall 'breakers' (top center), producing chunks which must be sorted by size. This is done by young boys, skipping school, who sit all day on wooden benches, helping their families make ends meet.