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July 1942. "Decatur, Alabama. Ingalls Shipbuilding Company. Construction of ocean-going barges for the U.S. Army on the Tennessee River. A shipfitter and his helper. They are C.R. Willingham (right) and E.L. Sparkman." Acetate negative by Jack Delano. View full size.
I think is a puller to draw steel plate (or sheet) together, getting a good fit to then weld. I welded for 40 years and I'm guessin'.
A quick virtual visit to Decatur and nearby communities shows big doings for the Sparkman family -- schools, parks and law firms all carrying the electrically charged moniker. Was E.L. the progenitor with the power?
If you look to the left of E.L. Sparkman at knee level, there is a rectangular mark drawn in chalk. I assume this is an area to be the cut out. If you look to the right of C.R. Willingham at calf level there is the same mark, but with an incomplete note "Leave sto". Does anyone know what was supposed to be left?
Really?
[The welder is Willingham. - Dave]
The helper of a welder isn't a welder, too? He's got the cap.
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