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) the two ships covered the landing of several hundred troops near Smith Point, Texas, and defended them by shelling shore positions. After 3 more months of grueling blockade duty, "Granite City" was dispatched with steamer to Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, to receive refugees. While thus engaged on 28 April 1864, the two ships came under attack by Confederate troops and shore batteries. After an hour's sharp engagement, both ships surrendered, placing "Granite City" back into Confederate custody. Fitted out as a Confederate blockade runner, her original occupation, "Granite City" was loaded at Galveston, Texas, and ran out of Velasco, Texas, 20