Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 22

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

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There are now, in Kings county, fourteen rope and twine factories, an increase of two since 1880. The increase in numbers within a few years past has not been proportionately as great as in amount of produc- tion. In 1870, the entire production of cordage and twine in the state of New York was reported as $1,553,329, less than half the present product of either one of our three largest establishments in Kings county in 1883. At that time Kings county had about $630,-

000 of annual product, and New York city $421,440. In 1880, the census reports were : For the state, 37 establishments ; $3,032,100 capital ; 2,461 hands em- ployed ; $632,748 paid out for wages; $4,110,112 of raw material, and $5,207,125 of annual product; for New York city, none. For Kings county or Brook- lyn, 12 establishments; $2,566,700 capital; 1,529 hands employed; $380,223 wages paid ; $3,206,319 of raw material, and $3,915,566 of annual product.

A very careful and critical collection of the statis- tics of this industry in 1883, in Brooklyn, gives the following results : Number of establishments, 14; capital (including cost of plant), $6,500,000; number of hands employed, over 3,500; wages paid, above $1,250,000; material used. nearly $9,000,000, and annual product, very nearly $13,000,000. This is a remarka- ble increase for three years, but while it is in part due to the imperfection of the census returns, the develop- ment of this industry since 1880, has had no parallel in any other of the numerous industries of Brooklyn; and our figures will be found below rather than above the actual product.

The three large manufactories now existing in this industry, demand, as representative houses, a some- what particular description. We shall take them up in chronological order.

The Tucker & Carter Cordage Company, which, as we have already said, commenced business in 1803 as Tucker & March, has undergone, in these eighty years, several changes of both its name and personnel. During Major Tucker's lifetime, it was changed to Tucker & Carter, and when his son, Mr. R. Sands Tucker, took his place, the firm name was changed to Tucker, Cooper & Co., and, after Mr. Cooper's death, to Tucker, Carter & Co. In 1881, it was incorporated as the Tucker & Carter Cordage Company, several other parties becom- ing stockholders and officers. Mr. J. A. Tucker, the treasurer, is the son of R. Sands Tucker and grand- son of Major Fanning C. Tucker. This company was the first to introduce the spinning jenny for spinning hemp, in the place of hand spinning, as already de- scribed. This change was first attempted about 1833, and met with the most strenuous opposition from the hand-spinners. When the first instalment of rope spun on the jenny was completed, the enraged spinners seized Mr. - -, who had charge of it, and treated him to a coat of tar and feathers; they then seized the hemp he had spun, paid the company for it, took it to a hill near by, and burned it publicly. But the spinning jenny triumphed after all, and the ropewalk was known for many years as "the steamer." Mr. William Wall had a somewhat similar experience, not long after, at his ropewalk.

The Tucker & Carter Cordage Company's ropewalk has always been a large one, but within a few years past it has been greatly enlarged and extended, and is now one of the best appointed and conducted rope-

718

WESTERN -MANUFACTORER

THE ROPE AND CORDAGE MANUFACTORY OF WM. WALL'S SONS. (See Page 719).

walks in the country. It is situated on Classon avenue, extending to Kent | avenue on the east, and from Myrtle avenue nearly to Flushing avenue. It has three distinet departments: The ropewalk, for the production of ropes and cordage, which is 1,200 feet in length, and extends from Myrtle nearly to Flushing avenue, passing under Park avenue by a tunnel ; the Harvester twine department, which turns out one hundred tons of Harvester twinc weekly, without being able to supply the demand; and the jute department, which produces large quantities of jute cord, and rope and bagging for both Sea Island and Upland cotton. In this department both jute butts and jute are used. The buildings are very substantial, and the front building on

Classon avenue is a fine spceimen of the castellated style. The provision against fire is very complete, the company being insured with the New England Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company, and complying with its very stringent conditions. These conditions we have described elsewhere. Though the first cost of the pipes, tanks and other arrangements is very con- siderable, they provide a perfect immunity against a destructive fire, and the saving in insurance reimburses the outlay in a few years.

The whole machinery of the establishment is driven by two steam engines, which also furnish all the heat necessary for warming it-a Corliss I engine of 500-horse power and a Harris engine of 300 horse power-but

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

William Hall

719

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

both are taxed to their full capacity. The boilers, which are rated at 540 horse power, are, by an ingeni- ous and economieal attachment, made to furnishı steam for 800 horse power of the engines, the water being heated to 300 degrees before it is admitted to the boil- ers. They employ, when running at their full eapaeity, 850 hands, and their entire annual product is 18,000,000 pounds of rope, eordage, Harvester and other twines, beside the amount of bagging, etc., realizing somewhat more than three millions of dollars. Their business and eapacity has been doubled since 1880.

Next in order of time, but, perhaps, of somewhat greater extent, and confining itself wholly to the man- ufacture of ropes and cordage, is the house of William Wall's Sons. This great ropewalk was established in 1830 by William Wall, a practical ropemaker, who had served his time with an uncle in Philadelphia, and had subsequently worked as a journeyman in Brooklyn. He was an industrious, intelligent and enterprising man, and having, by hard labor, aceumulated a small sum of money, he invested it in a ropewalk in Washington street, Brooklyn, in 1830, and at onee commeneed rope- making on his own account. It is related of him that he earried his first completed lot of cordage on his baek to New York to find a market for it. His energy, per- severanee and industry soon brought their reward. His production inereased with each year, and in 1835, hav- ing purchased an extensive tract of land on Bushwick road, now Bushwiek avenue, between Siegel and Me- Kibbin streets, and running baek almost two thousand feet, he commeneed the ereetion of a ropewalk there, and ın 1836 removed thither, and conducted his busi- ness on a much larger scale. He attended personally to all the details, and, amid great opposition on the part of his workmen, introduced the spinning jenny into his works. The demand for his ropes and cordage constantly inereased, and the quality was uniformly maintained, so that Wall's ropes became the standard of good manufacture. By successive additions, his es- tablishment eame to eover ten aeres of land. Mr. Wall retired from aetive work in 1856, leaving his business to his sons, by whom it is still earried on.

The ropewalk (which has received very large addi- tions of machinery, etc., since 1878) is probably the longest in the world, extending 1,700 feet in a direct line, with a width of 38 feet. The proprietors have steadfastly avoidcd all side issues, such as the manufae- ture of Harvester twine, jute rope or twine, bagging, or paper. They confine themselves to the production of ropes and cordage only, making everything, from a 24-ineh rope to -inch, as well as lath yarns, marlines, sail twines, and deep-sea fishing lines; and using solely Manila, Sisal, New Zealand, Italian, Russian and Ameri- can henip. A considerable portion of their cordage is tarred hemp rigging. In addition to their extensive home trade they export their products largely to China, Singapore, Australia, South America, the south of Eu-

rope, and the West Indics. They use for driving their machinery two Corliss engines of 550 horse power in all; and five boilers of 60 nominal horse power, but capable of supplying an aggregate of 600 horse power, upon an emergency, furnish the steam for them. They are fully insured under the New England mutual cor- porations system, which is described in detail elsewhere in this section.

They employ an average of 550 lands, and produee 175 or more tons of rope, etc., per week, their annual production varying from 19,000,000 to 21,000,000 pounds, of an average value of 15 cents per pound. The average annual produet is now worth from $2,850,- 000 upwards, with a capacity of over $3,200,000. We add here portraits and biographies of Hon. William Wall, the founder of the house, and of Michael W. Wall, the present head of this extensive manufactory.

HON. WILLIAM WALL .- This distinguished citizen of Brooklyn was born in Philadelphia, March 20th, 1800. His father was an officer on board a ship sailing from the latter port, but died when his son was nineteen months old. The lad, at the age of eleven, commenced to earn his living by working for Michael Weaver, his mother's brother, who owned a ropewalk in Philadelphia, and there showed such industry and intelligence that he was regularly apprenticed to the trade when he was fifteen. Having acquired the knowledge and skill of a good ropemaker, when his majority was attained, he came to New York. Being intelligent, in- dustrious and ambitious, he was intent on gaining capital, with which to begin business on his own account. To this end he worked as journeyman for several years, and saved three hundred and fifty dollars, with which he determined to start in business for himself. Having purchased a rope- walk in Washington street, Brooklyn, he worked early and late, directing the manufacturing and extending his sales. It is related that he carried his first manufacture of cordage on his back to New York city to find a market, a circum- stance to which he often alluded with pride, in after years, as an illustration of what could be accomplished from small beginnings by persistent, well-directed industry. Such ap- plication and energy could not fail of the success which gradually rewarded his efforts. In 1836, the business was removed to Bushwick, now in the Eastern District of Brook- lyn, and was established on a much larger scale. With his usual energy, Mr. Wall attended to all details, building up the largest business of the kind in the country. He was one of the first to introduce the spinning jenny in the manufacture of cordage, which had previously been spun by hand, and was enabled, after many trials, to use it in making all kinds of rope. His establishment was extended until it occupied ten acres of ground. In 1856 Mr. Wall retired with a fortune, leaving his business to his sons, by whom it is still con- ducted.

Mr. Wall was a man of positive opinions; his face shows decision of character and intelligence. Of the strictest in- tegrity, undeviating principles and untiring energy, he pos- sessed all the elements that made up a strong man. His suc- cess in business was due to his own exertions, coupled with fidelity and honor, which secured to him the esteem and confidence of the community. Such a man was needed in public affairs; accordingly, we find that he was called upon to fill many important positions during the village history of Williamsburgh, and after its incorporation as a city, such as

720

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Trustee, Commissioner of Highways, Supervisor, member of the Board of Finance. Commissioner of Water Works and Mayor. In these and all other places of trust. he is entitled to the proud distinction of having been faithful and incor- ruptible. His election to the Mayoralty of Williamsburgh occurred in 1853, being the second incumbent of the office. He guarded the interests of the city vigilantly, vetoing promptly every measure that seemed to him to savor of ex- travagance or corruption; and, in his court, administering justice without leniency to breakers of the law. During his term the movement began for consolidating Williamsburgh with Brooklyn. Mr. Wall was tendered the Mayoralty of the consolidated city, but declined the honor. In 1860, he was nominated to Congress by the Republicans of the old Fifth Congressional District, which comprised wards in both New York and Brooklyn, and was elected over the usual democratic majority of five thousand. He served during the darkest days of the war. President Lincoln frequently con- sulted him, particularly concerning the affairs at Brooklyn Navy Yard and the port of New York; his practical knowl- edge and good sense were of great use and highly valued. He was a delegate to the Loyalists' Convention in 1866, after which he retired from public life.

Mr. Wall was a public-spirited man, and identified with many local institutions. He was one of the original eighteen who started the Williamsburgh Savings Bank, serving for many years as its President. He was also one of the origin- ators of the Williamsburgh City, now the First National Bank, and of the Williamsburgh Dispensary. He served seven years as one of the Water Commissioners of Brooklyn, dur- ing which time the whole system of water supply was con- structed, economically and to the satisfaction of the citi- zens.

Mr. Wall, though in later years a resident of New York, was thoroughly identified with Brooklyn by reason of his large business establishment, his extensive ownership of real estate, and the erection of the Wall House, while his name will ever be remembered with gratitude for his faithful pub- lic services through many years.

Mr. Wall was dignified and somewhat reserved in manner, though genial in his social hours; he had a kind heart, that was easily reached by the call of suffering; his private char- ities were many, but unostentatious. While in Congress, it was his habit to visit the hospitals at Washington every day, where his presence gladdened both the loyal wounded and the Confederate prisoners as well, on account of his cheering words and the comforts which his open purse procured. Though a strong Union man, his tender heart felt for the suffering of the enemy's wounded, and his benefactions were given to both sides even-handed. He was a true friend to his employees, and almost the last act of his life was the signing of a check to help a deserving but unfortunate man.

He died April 22d, 1872, leaving to his family an honored name, and the record of a useful, well-spent and busy life.

CHARLES WALL, the eldest son of Hon. William Wall, was born in Brooklyn, in 1828. He received his education in his native city and at Swinburne's Academy, White Plains, New York, and spent two years abroad, chiefly in France, adding to the knowledge he had already gained. At the age of twenty-two he became a partner in the house of William Wall & Son, importers of hemp and manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in cordage. This business was established by Hon. William Wall, and its history is fully set forth in a biographical sketch of that well-remembered gentleman, which appears above. Mr. Charles Wall was a member of this firm, later called William Wall & Sons and William

Wall's Sons, until his death, in 1879, acting as manager of the business after the retirement of Hon. William Wall, and inventing much machinery. now used in the manufacture of cordage.

Mr. Wall married Miss Eliza Berry, daughter of Evander Berry, an extensive landowner in Brooklyn, E. D. He was one of the most prominent manufacturers of his time, and his advice was sought by manufacturers in all parts of the country upon matters of importance. In deliberative con- ventions of manufacturers he was esteemed as an able ex- ponent of the principles governing successful operation in the field they occupied. Politically, he was a republican: but his inclinations did not lead him to engage actively in political strife or controversy. He was known to all as the exemplification of personal honor and business probity, and enjoyed, in the highest degree, the confidence and esteem of .all with whom he was brought in contact. In all the rela- tions of life he was upright and plain-spoken, and his position upon any question with which he interested himself was never questioned or doubted by any who knew him. He died in the prime of life, mourned sincerely by many, and by all pronounced an honest man, "the noblest work of God." The places which knew him once will know him no more forever; but, in the memory of relative and friend and business acquaintance, the name of Charles Wall will ever be held dear.

MICHAEL W. WALL .- After the retirement of their father from business, his sons, Charles, Michael W. and Frank T., carried on the establishment, under the firm name of William Wall's Sons. At the death of Charles, the eldest, the third son, Michael W., on account of the previous death of his brother, William Wall, Jr., assumed the management, which he still retains. ' Born in 1839, he came into the business as clerk in 1856, remaining until the breaking ont of the war, when he joined the 8th Militia, in which he was lieutenant, and went with his regiment to the front. He saw some ser- vice, was wounded, and came home a captain, with an hon- orable military record. Upon his return, he continued his connection with the house as a partner, after a time becom- ing the head of the establishment. The capacity of the works has been increased one-third within the last four years; 500 men are employed, and the manufactured products find a ready market in foreign countries as well as in the United States.

Though Mr. Wall's residence is in New York, his business identifies him with Brooklyn. where he has large real estate interests also. He is prominently connected with the New York & Brooklyn Ferry Company, and other corporations. Though he is still a young man, the prosperity of the firm, under his management, and the prompt, efficient discharge of his various duties, indicate that he has inherited his father's business abilities. He is a member of several clubs in New York city, and there, as well as in general society, his genial manners, pleasant address, high social position, and cordial, kindly disposition, have won for him the hearty esteem of all with whom he is brought into contact.

Though not an active politician in the sense of being an aspirant for office, he has always taken a deep interest in all municipal, state and national questions, and maintains, with great vigor, the principles of the republican party. In per- sonal and mental characteristics he resembles his father, and is well known in business circles as one of that class of ener- getic, capable and honorable men, whose enterprise, public spirit and ability have made New York and Brooklyn the metropolis of the western world.

Michael MHall

Charles Hall.

721

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

The third of these manufactories in the order of time, though the first in the extent and perfection of its plant, and the amount and variety of its products, is the house of L. Waterbury & Co., which is claimed to be unrivalled in its capacity and varied production by any rope and cordage manufactory in the world. The present firm, of which Lawrence Waterbury, a son of Noah Waterbury, and William Marshall, a practical ropemaker since 1830, were the first partners, was not organized till 1846 .* Their ropewalk was first estab- lished on the south side of Ten Eyck strect, but owing to a destructive fire in 1849 they leased the building of the Thursby ropewalk adjoining, on the north side of that street, the proprietor having given up business. After the death of Mr. Thursby, the property came into market, and Messrs. Waterbury & Co. purchased and added it to their property. Their tract, which now ex- tends from Meadow street to Grand street, and from Waterbury street to the canal, comprises about 27 acres -405 city lots. Soon after their purchase they com- menced the erection of additional buildings, and a large part of their extensive tract is covered with their build- ings for various purposes. Among them are: a rope- walk proper, 1,600x40 feet; jenny houses, aggregating 525x40 ft., and three stories high, for preparing and spinning Manila, Sisal, Russian, American and Italian hemp; buildings aggregating 225x44 feet, three stories high, for the fine spinning of jute; paper-mill buildings aggregating 400x60, a part of them three stories high, and part one story; bagging mills for the coarse spin- ning of jute butts yarn, aggregating over 200x60 feet, three stories high; a large laying shed, 150x100, where all the small rope is made; storage buildings and large cellars, capable of holding several months' products of manufactured goods, and storage sheds having a capa- city for many thousand bales of raw material. These last alone cover several acres.

There are also large engine and boiler houses, stables for fifty horses, etc., etc.

Beside these there is a large machine shop, and car- penter shops adjoining, where much of the machinery in use is either made or repaired. Every part of the production which can be facilitated by machinery has its machines busily at work.

The bales of hemp are opened, the fibre "drawn " over and over again into a " sliver," the "sliver" into a " yarn," the yarn is " formed " into a " strand," and the " strand " is " laid " into a firm fine cord, or into a mass- ive rope, as may be required.

Other machines pick the hard bales of jute butts to pieces, then "card " them and spin them into a coarse yarn, and they are woven into bagging ; or, for paper, they go through a cutter, and then into enormous re- volving cylinders called " rotaries;" then into " wash-

ing" and " beating " engines, where they become a fine light-brown pulp, and this is pumped into “ stuff chests" at the end of machines 60 to 80 feet long, in which it is transformed into paper, dricd, calendered, cut, folded and counted ready for delivery.

The processes for making the Harvester twine, jute rope, wool twine, etc., are similar, being only modifica- tions of the other systems.

All the processes which can be executed by ma- chinery are turned over to the machines, yet 1,400 hands are required in the busiest seasons to superintend the machines, and to do what they cannot.

For driving all this machinery, and heating the numerous buildings, the following steam engines are required: One pair compound engines of 1,000 horse power, one pair compound engines of 500 horse power, one beam engine of 500 horse power, one pair of com- pound engines of 100 horse power, one pair of com- pound engines of 150 horse power, one beam engine of 350 horse power; in all, 2,600 horse power; and these engines are all driven up to their full capacity of work. The steam is furnished by 17 boilers. All the engines, except one small pair, are of Wright's construction. The small pair, as well as the numerous steam pumps, are of Knowles' manufacture.

The cost of this immense plant has been very heavy, probably amounting to more than $1,500,000; but the real estate has more than quadrupled in valuc.

Ropewalks are generally, though unjustly, supposed to be very liable to destruction by fire, so much so, that all the insurance companies rate them as hazardous or extra-hazardous; yet so perfect and complete arc the precautions against fire in this great establishment, that the New England Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Companies' Association takes the risk at one per cent. and pays back every year a dividend of from 60 to 80 per cent. of the premium. What are these precautions ? Through every room of all the buildings rows of pipes are run along the ceilings, and at a distance of from eight to ten feet apart taps are inserted with a large sprinkling apparatus. These taps have stoppers, com- posed of soft metal, which melts at a temperature of not above 150° F., and as the pipes are connected with the street water-main's tanks, the moment the plug melts they cach throw a heavy spray over a space of 100 square feet, and as they are only eight or ten feet apart, they will at once deluge the room and extinguish any fire originating there. But lest the supply from the mains should give out, huge tanks of water, con- taining many thousands of gallons, are constructed upon the roofs of the largest building, and kept con- stantly filled and in order, to be supplied to pipes and hose throughout, while driven wells in the vicinity of the buildings furnish an abundance of water, which the steam fire-pumps could rapidly distribute over each of the rooms. This abundant supply is supplemented by a sufficient number of watchmen, whose vigilance is

* Lawrence Waterbury received the rope factory originally as a gift from his father, Noah Waterbury, in 1844; but Mr. Marshall did not come in as a partner until 1846.

722

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 22

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360