History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 63

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co.
Number of Pages: 703

USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 63

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renaissance of industry went in 1858 on the frigate " Ni- agara " to Liberia as special diplomatic agent of the United States, and among other things urged on our government placing steam cruisers on the coast in place of the useless sailing vessels, and a vigorous suppression of the slave trade.

While in Europe in 1857 he was nominated and con- firmed by the Senate secretary of legation to Brazil. Declining this he was renominated in the same year; de- clined again, and was offered the mission to Portugal by Mr. Buchanan, which he also declined.

In 1859 Dr. Rainey went again to Brazil, and estab- lished the great American ferry running from Rio de Janiero to Nictherohy, Sao Domingos, Santa Anna and Paquetí; building twelve steamers and large permanent works in the Open Bay. He did all of his own engineer- ing, bothi hydraulic and marine, for which his previous con amore studies had well fitted him.

He returned to this country in 1874, still retaining his interests in Brazil, and in 1875 married Miss Grace Pris- cilla Ogden, daughter of the elder Samuel Governeur Ogden, so well known to old New Yorkers.

Dr. Rainey, or Mr. Rainey, as he prefers being called, became a member of the board of the New York and Long Island Bridge Company in 1876; was elected president in November 1877, again in 1878 and again in 1879. During the latter year he became very active in its affairs; and, devoting his whole time to the enterprise, has attained the results noticed in the preceding article. He is a persuasive and effective public speaker, a strong and earnest writer, and a man of generous impulses and ceaseless energy.

MANUFACTURING.

Long Island City is the center of large manufacturing industries; and with its almost unequaled advantages for the promotion of trade it has a certain prospect of rapid development and increasing prosperity. The city covers an extensive area and presents some of the most eligible building sites to be found in the State of New York. With the East River flowing by its side and sev- eral ferry boats regularly crossing. it is accessible to every part of New York, while the street cars as readily con- nect it with Brooklyn; and by several lines of railway it has direct and speedy communication with all parts of Long Island.

THE GREAT OIL ENTERPRISES.

The present business activity of the city is due in a large measure to the presence and operations in its midst of the Empire and Standard oil works, which there carry on, on a gigantic scale, all of the various processes of re- finement of petroleum. These works have been in ope- ration about ten years, during which time the proprietors have been gradually improving their premises and ex- tending their accommodations.

An idea of the extent and importance of these works may be gained from the following condensed extracts

303

THE HUNTER'S POINT OIL WORKS-STEINWAY. PIANO FACTORY.

from an article published in The Bulletin (a New York trade journal) in November 1880:

Both the Standard and the Empire oil works are situ- ated on the East River, in close proximity to New York, and with every convenience for loading and unloading ships.

The Empire works are bounded by Nott and Vernon avenues and West and Division streets. An area of twelve acres is covered by these works, which have a clear water frontage of over a quarter of a mile. In these' works are as many as fifty tanks, with a capacity of at least 10,000,000 gallons; while the capacity for turning out crude oil amounts to the enormous average of 16,000 barrels per week. From 400 to 500 hands are employed in the different departments, and so thoroughly is the business systematized and arranged that all the separate interests are kept distinct, and yet perfectly united. The pay roll of the works amounts to the handsome sum of $200,000 per year; and as an illustration of the vast ex- pense incurred in carrying on such an extensive indus- try it is almost enough to say that in the item of coal alone as much as 200 tons are consumed weekly. The crude petroleum which is used in these works is conveyed from the oil regions of Pennsylvania in tank cars to the city of New York. It is then pumped by means of large force pumps through pipes, which are sunk under the East River, directly into a number of large tanks at the works. These pipes commence at the oil terminus station of the Hudson River Railroad at Sixty-fifth street, run through Sixty-fifth street to Eighth avenue, thence through the sunken road through Central Park to Fifth avenue and Sixty-fifth street, thence across the city to the East River at Sixty-third street, thence across the west branch of the East River, thience through the grounds of Blackwell's Island about one mile, thence across the east branch of the East River, thence across the canal between the Empire and Standard works, thence through the streets of Hunter's Point and across Newtown Creek, and thence through Newtown, connect- ing with several other refineries. These pipes have been in constant use for several years.

The capacity of some of the tanks is not less than 1,500,000 gallons. From them the oil is pumped into stills, where it is evaporated and manufactured into all the different grades of petroleum. These vary from the regular 110 degrees burning test oil, which is manufac- tured expressly for export, up to the first quality of il- luminating oils. The process of distillation and refine- ment is one of peculiar delicacy, requiring the minutest care and a perfect chemical or scientific knowledge and arrangement.

In the Standard works there are in like manner all the various processes carried on which are necessary, from the first reception of the crude petroleum in the pipes laid under the East River to its final exportation to distant lands. More than 400 hands are employed in the works, and an average of $200,000 is paid away in wages every year. This vast sum is exclusive of the other large ex- penses in coal, wood, machinery, etc., all of which show

what an enormous capital is required, and of what essen- tial advantage such works may be to the city in which they are located. The authorities of the Standard, like those of the Empire works, are anxious that nothing should be left undone that might contribute to the suc- cess of their enterprise, to the comfort of their employes and to the local interests of the city; hence their yard, their buildings, their offices, their tanks, etc., are all de- signed and constructed with a view to commodiousness, safety and durability; and thus they entitle themselves to public confidence and respect.

The proprietors of these great works are fastidiously anxious that nothing that may be detrimental to health and comfort should be carried on there. They have fre- quently tried new experiments; they have adopted new designs; they have employed new agents; they have ex- pended large sums of money; and if scientific skill or practical knowledge or even supercilious criticism can suggest any expedient that may prove more practical and efficacious they would not hesitate to try it, regardless of expense and labor.

THE STEINWAY ENTERPRISES.

In 1870 and 1871 Steinway & Sons bought several ad- joining plots of ground at Astoria, comprising about 400 acres, over a mile long, and having a water frontage on the East River of more than half a mile, opposite One Hundredth street to One Hundred and Twentieth street, New York city. The property is but four miles from their New York manufactory (which occupies a whole block on Fourth and Lexington avenue, Fifty-second to Fifty-third street), six miles from the City Hall, New York, and but two and one-half miles from the Central Park, New York.

In 1872 improvements were begun by the erection of a steam saw-mill, iron and brass foundries, boiler and en- gine houses, and a large building for the drilling, finish- ing and japanning of the full iron frames and other metal portions used in the construction of the Steinway pianofortes, which are manufactured under the sole and special supervision of the firm, instead of being bought, ready made, of outside parties, as by other piano makers. Each of these new buildings is three stories high, and all are constructed in the most permanent and substantial manner, of brick and stone. They are located between the canal and the west side of Blackwell street, forming a hollow square, with a frontage of 312 feet and a depth of 200 feet.

The water front, on the canal, is occupied by a sub- stantially constructed dock and bulkhead, 384 feet in length; also inclosing a basin, 100 feet wide by 300 feet in length, which is constantly stocked with millions of feet of logs, designed for sawing into required thick- nesses for manufacturing purposes. At the saw-mill all the lumber, rosewood and various other kinds of wood used in the construction of a Steinway piano, is sawed under the personal supervision of a member of the firm, and every faulty portion immediately cast aside.

'The iron foundry is specially built for the casting of

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HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

full metal frames for pianofortes. Only the choicest brands of metal and coal are used, and after lengthy and costly experiments Steinway & Sons have succeeded in producing metal closely resembling cast-steel, of fully double the strength of ordinary cast-iron, and yet of comparative lightness. These qualities produce in the Steinway piano an increase of vibratory power, and the advantage of remaining longer, better and more firmly in tune than any other instrument produced.

In 1873 Steinway avenue (a thoroughfare running par- allel with the East River, through the center of the Steinway property, upward of 6,000 feet, and through Long Island City for over four miles), and several other streets were improved, graded and macadamized, side- walks were laid, and beautiful shade trees were set out by Messrs. Steinway & Sons; the avenue is undergoing completion throughout Long Island City, simultaneously with the erection of factory buildings and the grading and sewering of the streets. Buildings, mostly of brick, were erected by Messrs. Steinway and others, all neat and substantial dwellings and stores, each house being supplied with pure water from the Long Island City water works; and in addition to this great convenience, the Messrs. Steinway have completed a most perfect sew- erage, according to the admirable plan of Long Island City. There are now (1881) 130 dwelling houses, with a population of over 1,200 at Steinway; the population is rapidly increasing, and buildings are being erected con- stantly in various parts of the village, including a number of pretty and substantial villas, located on the high ground in the easterly part of the village, and affording a fine view of the East River. The post-office depart- ment at Washington has just established a post-office in the village, under the name of "Steinway," Queens county, N. Y., which is located on Steinway avenue, corner of Bowery Bay road.

In 1877 the key-board making and wood-carving branches of their piano manufacture were removed from Steinways' New York factory and located at their As- toria factories. During the same year the Steinway or the fifth ward public school-house was erected and opened to the public. It is a substantial brick building, occupying four lots on Steinway avenue, and having ample accommodations for 500 pupils. Messrs. Steinway pay the salary of a first-class teacher of the German lan- guage, and also give all in attendance an extra advantage in musical culture, and they have left nothing undone to make this a model school in every respect.

The large piano. case factory was erected in 1879. The building is four stories high, 248 feet long by 60 feet deep, with an adjoining engine and boiler-house. In this building the cases for all the Steinway square, up- right and grand pianos are constructed, and they are sent completed to the New York factory to receive the sounding-board, the necessary exterior varnish and polish and their interior construction, when they are ready to be sent for sale to the wareroomis at Steinway Hall, on Fourteenth street, New York. In addition to the case- making factory are the drying rooms, a four-story brick

building, 40 by 100 feet, containing the drying-kilns be- low and drying-rooms above. These buildings are lo- cated parallel to and 150 feet distant from the metal works. In the yard are stacked 5,000,000 feet of lumber for open air drying.

Besides all the labor-saving machinery, which has the working capacity of at least 400 men, and the lack of which formerly endangered the life and health of the employes, one of the most interesting sights at Steinways' is the process of grand piano case manufacture. These cases are made from specially selected logs from 18 to 23 feet long, sawed into veneers one-eighth of an inch thick, which after a thorough course of open air and kiln drying are glued together and bent into the proper form of parlor and concert grand piano-cases, by means of immense iron presses, heated to the necessary degree by steam.

The entire Astoria establishments of Steinway & Sons employ about 400 workmen, and these works are con- nected by telegraph and telephone with the Steinway factory on Fourth avenue, between Fifty-second and Fifty-third streets, and their warerooms and principal office at Steinway Hall, on Fourteenth street, New York, through a cable in the East River. In their New York fac- tory Messrs. Steinway & Sons employ over 600 workmen.

In 1879 a Protestant union church was built, accom- modating over 500 persons, which is well attended by the people of that vicinity; and in addition to the public school and many other enterprises established and main- tained by Messrs. Steinway & Sons, they have recently (1881) erected a public bath, 100 feet long by 50 feet wide, with 50 dressing rooms, on their property extend- ing along the shore of the East River. All employes and their families have the privilege of bathing free of charge, and in connection with this a fine park, 250 by 200 feet, has also been allotted to their use.

Messrs. Steinway & Sons are the only piano manufac- turers in the world who have their own saw-mills and metal foundries. Especially through owning and con- trolling the latter they have secured full metal piano- frames of double and treble resisting power. At the Cen- tennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, 1876, Messrs. Stein- way & Sons received the highest award, being two medals of honor and two diplomas of merit, which were incontestably the highest honors bestowed upon any piano exhibit at the International Exhibition, no other piano exhibitor having received a similar extraordinary recognition by the jury; and only to the Steinway piano has been accorded " the highest degree of excellence in all their styles." Steinway & Sons' exhibit in Machinery Hall-samples of metal parts and hardware, and full metal frames of grand, square and upright pianos, and samples of their patent metallic tubular frame actions, all produced at their foundry and metal works at Astoria-was hon- ored with an additional medal and diploma of merit for its surpassing excellence.

Steinway & Sons are largely exporting their pianos to Europe, having completely turned the tide, the importa- tion of pianos to the United States having entirely ceased.

STEIN WAY,

STEINWAY

ASIFINWA

CASE MAKING BUILDING AND DRYING KILNS.

BERRIANS 1.

BASIN.

FOUNDRYA

DOCK

VENE

LUMBER YARD.

STEINWAY & SONS PIANOFORTE FACTORY, FOUNDRY

MANSION

STEIN

WAY

LIANS

M. LA

FOUNDRY, METAL WORKS AND SAW MILL.

FIKERS ISLAND

BATH

STEINWAY & SONS

DRYING KILNS

TORAGE

COAL DOCK

H. ROGERS

METAL WORKS AND LUMBER YARDS, ASTORIA, N. Y.

309

ASTORIA VENEER-MILLS AND VARNISH WORKS.

W. H.WILLIAMS ASTORIA

WOOD

IDROKER VENEER MILLSFALL

THE WILLIAMS VENEER-MILLS.

The village of Astoria is, like scores of others, a clump of vigorous shoots from the underlying business roots of the great city, that permeate the surrounding country in every direction. Among its most enterprising business men is William H. Williams, a cut of whose extensive veneer-mills is herewith presented. The proprietor learned the details of this branch of manufacturing, through all the various gradations, in New York, where he became superintendent of one of the largest works of the kind in the city. In the spring of 1875 he came to Astoria and put up a building 40 feet square, which was in running order by the Ist of June. During the year it was enlarged to meet the demands that its work imnie- diately created. About four years ago other additions were built on, till now its size is 75 by 100 feet, one portion being three stories high.

The engine, which is already taxed to its utmost ca- pacity, and must soon be replaced by a larger one, is of 35 horse power. The machines which it drives are as follows: Three veneer cutters, viz. rotary, half round and flat; a band saw, two circular saws and a drag saw; one Daniels planer, one circular planer, two shears for cutting up veneer, and a machine thirty-four feet long for grinding the long knives that slice up a log as easily as a carving knife runs through a loaf of bread. These veneer machines were built for and under the special oversight of Mr. Williams, and each one has special fea- tures of his own invention, that are covered by patents. His long flat cutting machine is a marvel of execution, and probably has not an equal anywhere. Every kind of domestic and foreign wood in use by manufacturers is cut at this mill in large quantities. Black walnut, oak, ash, whitewood, basswood, maple, mahogany, cherry, rosewood, red and Spanish cedar, butternut and tulip are among the most prominent varieties. Of rosewood alone he has $15,000 worth on hand at the present time, and walnut of the same value. Some varieties of French and at the risk of life and limb. Within a few years burr walnut cost thirty-five cents per pound, and rose- the " old orchard " began to be improved. Streets and avenues were soon laid out and buildings of various kinds erected and occupied, but the tenants were greatly wood costs from five to ten cents in the rough, of which from twenty to forty per cent. is wasted in cutting.

During the past year 9,000,000 feet of veneer have been sawed and cut, employing about twenty-five men. The water needed for engine and steaming purposes is. supplied from the Long Island City water works. All the cut veneers used in Steinway's gigantic piano works are supplied from this mill. Mr. Williams has a wharf of his own just back of his works, on Bowery Bay, where boats load and unload, thus being in direct water communication with the various railroads, that bring logs from every part of the country. Taken in the aggregate, his veneer-mills are the most extensive in the State. In the not far distant future the legitimate growth of Brook- lyn (now, but New York then) will fill all the open spaces between Long Island City and Astoria with brick build- ings and stone pavements. Enterprising men like Mr. Steinway and Mr. Williams are the creators of villages and cities.

VARNISH AND PAINT MANUFACTORIES.

The firm of Edward Smith & Co. is claimed to be the oldest and certainly is one of the largest and most favor- ably known concerns engaged in the manufacture of varnish in the United States. The original firm, from which the present one descended in a direct line, was es- tablished in 1827, the title then being P. B. Smith & Co .; the office and salesroom was at 202 Bowery, New York, and the manufactory in the open air beneath the apple trees that grew in the famous." old orchard " at what is now the corner of First avenue and Sixth street. In 1844 P. B. Smith retired and the firm name was changed to Smith, Stratton & Co., under which title the business was continued until 1851, and at the death of Nathan Smith the firm became Smith & Stratton. £ In 1859 Mr. Stratton died and Edward Smith, the senior partner of the original firm, conducted the business, with the as- sistance of John A. Elmendorf, who has acted in the ca- pacity of general manager of the business since 1853. Again the firm name was changed to Smith & Elmen- dorf. We find no record of any individual or firm hav- ing been engaged in the manufacture of varnish in this country prior to the establishment of the firm of P. B. Smith & Co. in 1827; although some coach painters had made experimental lots of a gallon or so for their own use, and some of their earliest production may have been sold to other parties. Mr. Smith's early experi- ments were the first to achieve such success as to war- rant the investment of capital and the establishment of the varnish manufacture as a business. The inflamma- ble and combustible qualities of the materials used in those days, and the crude and imperfect appliances for manufacture-entirely devoid of all the modern safe- guards against explosion and fire-rendered the manu- facture of varnish in a building so unsafe that it saw deemed best not to atttempt it under cover; conse- quently the first varnishes were all made in the open air

310

HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

alarmed at their constant danger from fire and explosion; and soon complaints were made to the city authorities, and the firm was compelled to move its works to an- other locality.

The first varnish factory ever built in America was then erected by the firm at Astoria, but they were not permitted to remain there long; for as New York grew in population so did Astoria, and the inhabitants began to make complaints of the dangerous establishment. In 1856 the firm bought lots and built the first factory build- ing on Hunter's Point, and there the factories of the firm still remain. Other manufactories pursuing equally dan- gerous occupations, or such as are generally deemed to be such, followed their lead in this great enterprise, and since the Smith varnish works were built millions of dol- lars have been expended in building on the Point. It is probable that to-day as many hazardous manufactories are centered there as at any other place in this country. The hazard of the business (though it made several changes in location of its works necessary) and the high wages demanded by the men employed have greatly in- creased the cost of the production of varnish ; but this was not the only difficulty the firm had to encounter. These fathers of varnish manufacture in the United States not only had the old famous brands of England and France to compete with, but they met with a stronger foe in the distrust with which their products were received. Grad- ually, however, their business increased, and in a short time the consumers pronounced Smith's varnishes to be equal to imported varnishes of like grades. From a small foundation an immense business has been built up, involving the investment of large capital and giving em- ployment to hundreds of men. The firm has never been content to rest upon past success; it has always been and is now full of life. The business is under the manage- ment of Mr. Elmendorf, who is continually striving for better results than have been attained heretofore. To the practical skill gained in many years' experience as manufacturers the makers have added whatever knowl- edge they could gain from outside scientific researches. Much time and capital have been expended by the firm in expensive experiments relating to combinations of mate- rials and different processes of manufacture, and every improvement has been made in mechanical appliances that would in any way conduce to a reduction of the cost of its productions. Since the death of Edward Smith, which occurred in 1878, Professors C. Huntington and Alexander Maitland have become members of the firm, which is now composed of Chester Huntington, John A. Elmendorf and Alexander Maitland. The works have lately been renovated and supplied with a new engine of more power, which enables the firm to manufacture the finest quality of coach color as well as varnish. The office and salesroom of this firm is at 158 William street, New York.

James McGuiness, varnish manufacturer on West ave- nue between Fourth and Fifth streets, had previously been engaged in the manufacture of varnish at Gowanus, Kings county, and in 1859 came to Hunter's Point, where he

erected his factory in 1859 and 1860. He has done a somewhat extensive business, manufacturing for firms supplying the trade with varnishies under their own trade- marks.

Meyer, Lowenstein & Co .. and E. Calman & Co. are also extensive manufacturers of varnishes at Hunter's Point. The New York office of the first. mentioned firm is at 80 Beekman street, and that of the latter at 299 Pearl street.

Pratt & Lambert, manufacturers of coach, car and house varnishes, baking Japans and Pratt's liquid dryers, are among the most prominent manufacturers of Long Island City, and their goods command an extensive sale, and are so widely and so favorably known as to re- quire no commendation in this connection. They man- ufacture a number of specialties, among which are Pratt's patent liquid dryer for drying paints and oils, and also a marine paint for the bottoms of ships. The quality of this paint is such that nothing belonging to the vegetable or animal kingdom can adhere to it. These gentlemen are successors to the old firm of A. W. Pratt and A. W. Pratt & Co. The house now consists of A. W. Pratt, H. S. Lambert and Charles Pratt, the latter a special partner. A.W. Pratt has manufactured varnish since 1853. The rapid growth of the enterprise has necessitated the enlargement of the works three times, and the firm deter- mined on doubling their capacity during the summer of 1881.

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History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 63

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co. Number of Pages: 703

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co.
Number of Pages: 703