Granite bits and sandblasting over a rubber stencil. Leaving the letters, numbers, and emblems exposed on the stone, the blaster can create virtually any kind of artwork or epitaph. The stone known as "black granite" is usually gabbro, which has a completely different chemical composition. Granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as flooring tiles in public and commercial buildings and monuments. Aberdeen in Scotland, which is constructed principally from local granite, is known as "The Granite City". Because of its abundance in New England, granite was commonly used to build foundations for homes there. The Granite Railway,
USS Granite City (1863) captured in the action, though "Granite City" suffered no battle damage and none of the Union soldiers aboard were lost. For the next 8 months, "Granite City", though often in need of repairs to her weak machinery, actively participated in the blockade of the Texas coast. She captured schooner "Anita" 27 October 1863, schooner "Amelia Ann" 16 November, and bark "Teresita" 17 November. In addition, the steamer supported two landings of troops on the Texas coast. With , she shelled Confederate cavalry off Pass Cavallo 31 December 1863, allowing Union reconnaissance forces to land successfully. Again on 19 January 1864,