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) to help support the troop landings because her shallow draft allowed her to cross the bar and lie close to shore. She crossed the bar in company with , , and during the Second Battle of Sabine Pass on 8 September 1863, with her upper deck carrying several hundred Union Army infantrymen. When withering fire of Confederate batteries forced the surrender of "Sachem" and "Clifton", and the "Arizona" now receiving undivided attention of the fort's artillery, "Granite City" backed out of the Pass and returned to invasion fleet of 18 other warships waiting offshore. "Sachem" and "Clifton" were disabled and