The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 57

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II > Part 57

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The first officer ordered in charge of the Navy Yard appears to have been Lieutenant JONATHAN THORNE, who, according to the records of the Navy Department, was in charge from 1801 to 1806, during which period nothing was done to improve the pro- perty. Captain ISAAC CHAUNCEY came in 1806 and re- mained six years. The residence of the Commandant was built during his supervision, in 1806 and 1807 and, in 1811, it was damaged by fire and repaired. Other im- provements were the stone embankments to the terraces contiguous to the house, which work was paid for by the proceeds of the sales of chips. The erection of six brick buildings was also begun. These buildings were designed for store-houses and offices, and in one of them was a large room fitted up for and set apart as the chapel of the yard, in which religious services were held on Sundays. These buildings were at the foot of - Main street, and were torn down in 1868. Captain SAMUEL EVANS took command in 1812, and was the Commandant until his death in 1824.

Up to this time the government had done but little to improve the property, which was recognized as a naval station, but was not yet called a Navy Yard. The war with England occurring during this period, made busy times during 1812-14, more than one hundred vessels having been fitted out for sea, supplied with stores, etc. During 1815, the frigate Fulton was built, the first war steamer ever constructed by any nation, a thirty-gun vessel of 2,000 tons burthen, built upon a plan submitted by Robert Fulton, and able to throw both hot water and hot iron. She made her trial trip under command of Captain David Porter, father of Admiral Porter, and was destroyed while ly- ing at anchor off the Navy Yard, in 1828, by the explo- sion of her magazine, by which accident one officer and forty-seven of her crew lost their lives. In 1820, the Ohio, a seventy-four-gun ship, was launched, which was modelled by Henry Eckford, and was regarded as a fine vessel, She was still in existence at a very

recent date, used as the receiving ship at Boston. The construction of the frigate Savannah was begun in 1822, but she was not launched until thirty years later. These vessels have been mentioned as having been th earliest built at this station.

After the death of Commandant Evans, and during the remainder of the year 1824, the yard was in charge of Captain ROGERS. In January, 1825, Captain ISAAC CHAUNCEY was a second time ordered in command, remaining until the latter part of 1833, when he was made one of the Navy Commissioners. In 1827, a fence was built along the line of the yard, near the foot of Sands street. It was claimed that it had been constructed upon private property, and the man who claimed the ownership, and some other persons, began to pull it down. The Commandant was sent for and expostulated vainly with the mob. The marines were summoned, but were restrained from employing force in dealing with the rioters. The affair was exciting but bloodless, and the title of the government was at length conceded. Captain CHARLES G. RIDGELY was in command from July, 1833, to November, 1839. During this period, the Lyceum building was begun, all the rooms of which, except the upper floor, are occupied as offices; the United States Naval Lyceum using the balance of the building as a library, museum and reading-room.

From November, 1839, to June, 1841, Captain JAMES RENSHAW was in command. In the year last men- tioned, the construction of the stone Dry Dock was begun, which was a stupendous work, ably planned and built. Its site was determined by Colonel Baldwin, in 1826, but efficient work was not commenced until 1841. It was subsequently prosecuted under the charge of several engineers, as follows : Prof. Edward H. Courtenay, August 1, 1841, to August 1, 1842; from which date until October, 1844, it was suspended. On the 11th of that month, it was resumed by General William Gibbs McNeil, who had charge until April 1, 1845; William P. Sanger, from April 1, 1845, to June 23, 1846 ; William J. McAlpine, from June 23, 1846, to October 1, 1849 ; General Chas. B. Stuart, from October 1, 1849, to August 30, 1851. The main cham- ber is two hundred and eighty-six feet long, by thirty- five feet wide at the bottom, and three hundred and seven feet long, by ninety-eight feet wide at the top ; depth, thirty-six feet, the walls being of fine cut granite. The masonry foundations are four hundred by one hundred and twenty feet, resting upon piles driven forty feet into the earth, the intermediate space being filled to a depth of two feet, with a mass of con- crete, composed of pebbles, broken granite and cement. Timbers one foot square are next dowelled to the heads of these piles, between which, concrete is again filled in. A plank floor, four hundred by one hundred feet, covers these timbers, on which rests another course of timbers and concrete, and over this, first, a course of

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY:

stone flagging, twenty inches thick, and second, the floor proper, of fine cut granite, the whole bed from the surface of the floor to the head of the piles being nine feet in thickness. The piles upon which this dock rests are nine thousand in number, the first one having been driven on the 26th of January, 1847, and the last on the 12th of May, 1848. The dock can be emptied by steam pumps in four and one-half hours. The total cost of this great work was $2,113,173. There seemed to be at one period a commencement of a controversy between the town of Brooklyn and the United States government as to the title of the latter to the land, or a portion of the land, possessed by it. It was never brought to any determined issue, nor is there any evi- dence that the citizens of Brooklyn were actuated in their claims by ill-will to the government, or by any other motive than a simple desire to have their char- tered rights respected.

Four vessels were launched during the administration of Commander RENSHAW, one of them the brig Somers, which afterwards became so notorious on account of the hanging from her yard-arm of Midshipman Spencer and two of her crew for an alleged attempt at mutiny. Captain M. C. PERRY was in command from June, 1841, to March, 1843; and, during this period, only one vessel-the ill-fated Albany-was commenced. After his retirement, Commander JOSHUA SANDS assumed temporary command. Captain SILAS STRINGHAM WAS the commander from June 15th, 1843, to September, 1846, and worked earnestly for the improvement of the yard. He was a resident of Brooklyn, and is well re- membered by many of the older citizens at this time. Captain ISAAC MCKEEVER was in command until Octo- ber, 1849, and was followed by Captain WILLIAM B. SALTER, who remained until October, 1852. During this time the stone Dry Dock was finished and also one of the finest structures in the yard-the large granite building which contains the boilers and machinery of the pumping engine of the dock. During the term of service of Captain CHARLES BOORMAN-from October, 1852, to October, 1855-many improvements were made in the yard; and the Niagara, a steam frigate built under the superintendence of the late George Steers from his own models, was launched. This vessel was afterward employed in laying the first Atlantic cable and, as an old hulk, is still existing at Boston. Captain ABRAM BIGELOW commanded for sixteen months fol- lowing Captain Boorman's retirement, and was suc- ceeded by Captain LAURENCE KEARNEY, who remained until October, 1858.

From November, 1858, to November, 1861, S. L. BREEZE commanded. During the latter part of this officer's administration party spirit ran high and civil war began. The Navy Yard, from its commanding position over the waters of the bay, with its valua- ble stores of munitions of war, was marked by those in the Southern interest for seizure and use against the

United States Government. Fortunately for the mal- contents no attack was made. The yard authorities had been apprised of their intentions and any attempt to carry them into execution would have been fatal to those making it. From October 25th, 1861, until May Ist, 1865, during the busiest years of the civil war, when the Navy Yard was worked to its uttermost ca- pacity, Rear-Admiral HIRAM PAULDING was in com- mand. During a portion of this period the wharves were never left without vessels fitting for sea and pre- paring for blockade duty, and the sound of hammers was heard by day and night. Four hundred and six- teen vessels were purchased from the Commercial Ma- rine and fitted out as cruisers. During 1861 there were employed daily an average of 1,650 men, at an expense for the year, for labor only, of $679,000. In 1862 the average daily employment for labor was 3,970 persons, at an expenditure of more than $2,000,000. The aver- age during 1863 was 5,135 laborers, at a cost of $2,874,000 for the year. During 1864 the roll had in- creased until at one time there were over 6,000 persons employed ; but the average that year was 5,390 and the year's wages $3,735,000. During 1865, no less than 5,000 persons were employed daily, at a cost of $3,952,- 000.

Rear-Admiral CHARLES BELL came to the command of the Navy Yard May 1st, 1865, continuing until. June 30th, 1868. Rear-Admiral GORDON succeeded him, remaining until October, 1870. Rear-Admiral MELANCTHON SMITH was the next commander. He was succeeded in June, 1872, by Vice-Admiral G. C. ROWAN, who remained till September, 1876. During this period the convenient building for the use of re- cruits was erected on the Cob Dock. On the lower floors are bath-rooms, barber shops, etc., while above are a library and reading-room and a hall which is used as a chapel and for amateur performances. September Ist, 1876, Commodore NICHOLSON took command, serving until May 1st, 1880, when he was succeeded by Rear- Admiral GEORGE H. COOPER, who gave place to Com- modore JOHN H. UPSHUR, the present Commandant, April 1st, 1882. Various noticeable improvements have been made under the administrations of the three commandants last mentioned and the condition of the Navy Yard is as good at this time, in all respects, as it has been at any time for years.

May 23d, 1870, the United States Government ceded to the city of Brooklyn a strip of land on the north- east side of its property, since forming the strcet that fronts on Kent avenue. The question of disposing of the Navy Yard in Brooklyn and establishing one else- where has been discussed for some time past; but it is not probable that this step will soon be taken .*

United States Forts .- FORT HAMILTON, named after the illustrious Alexander Hamilton, is situated

* From an address before the L. I. Hist. Society, by Commodore NICHOLSON, published in Brooklyn Advanc

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UNITED STATES INTERESTS.

in the extreme south-western portion of Long Island, in the town of New Utrecht, in N. Lat. 40° 37' 18", Long. 3º 1' 15" east from Washington; and, by its pivotal position, commands the channel and the en- trance into the Narrows. From it, views of Staten and Coney Islands, and the shores of New Jersey are obtained, and before its frowning walls the fleets of the world must pass in gaining the harbor of New York.

In 1808, De Witt Clinton, then Mayor of New York city, was instrumental in obtaining from the state of New York an appropriation of $100,000 for the forti- fication of the city; and, as President of the Board of Commissioners, was appointed to superintend the ac- complishment of this important military work at this locality and in other portions of the bay. A structure was erected and a few light guns mounted immediately thereafter, and continued in use until 1824, when, under the direction of General Bernard, a distin- guished French engineer, employed by the United States, the present fort was built. Fort Hamilton is of permanent granite masonry, quadrangular in form, one face of which is for water defence, and the others for land. It is surrounded by dry ditches, and a re- doubt, 200 yards in advance, on the land side, is de- signed to prevent a landing of the enemy on the beach between the fort and Bath, and also to oblige him to establish his batteries at a greater distance in case of a siege. It is completely defiled from the neighboring hills, which might otherwise be occupied by an enemy to advantage.

By an act passed November 27, 1827, entitled “An act to invest in the United States of America the ex- clusive jurisdiction of certain lands in the town of New Utrecht, in the county of Kings, and for other purposes," 60 acres, I rood and 6 perches of land in one parcel, and 162 acres contiguous thereto, were ceded to the United States, and by an act amendatory of the above act, passed April 17, 1826, an additional parcel, containing 17 acres, 14 perches and 105 yards of land, was ceded ; the entire cession being "for the erection of fortifications on the said tract."

In 1859, it was deemed expedient that the several statutes of this state relating to its territorial limits and divisions should be consolidated and arranged in appropriate chapters, titles and articles, and that the language thereof should be simplified; and an act con- cerning the territorial limits and divisions was passed, in which the boundaries of the Fort Hamilton tract were carefully given, corresponding (with the exception of a small parcel in the south-east portion of the origi- nal grant, exchanged in 1852 for a parcel in the north- west part, then belonging to George S. Gelston) in all respects to those of 1824 and 1826, and, at the present day, the boundaries remain the same, it being part of the old Denyse estate.

In 1843, that part of the Fort commanding the channel mounted 14 casemate and 26 barbette 32-

pounders ; and 32 casemate guns of large calibre ; 32 and 26 pounders were distributed along the land sides, which also admit of musketry defence; in addition to which, there were 18 guns of similar calibre for the defence of the ditches. At present, there are mounted, twenty-six 15-inch smooth bore Rodman guns, and one monster of 20-inch bore; there are, also, a number of dis- mounted guns in readiness for mounting in case of an emergency. There are no rifled guns in the Fort. In modern times, but two 20-inch guns have been cast in the United States, or elsewhere, one of them being already referred to, and the other now lying, dis- mounted, on the wharf at Governor's Island. Its weight is 116,497 lbs .; the weight of 15-inch guns averaging a little less than 50,000 lbs. It was mounted in 1862, and since then has been fired about sixteen times. A record of the number of times a heavy gun is fired is kept by military authorities, the object being to ascertain the length of its working life. Previous to the present commander's assignment to this post, this was not done here. From the official record kept by him of its firing, we find, dated October 15, 1883, as follows:

" Weight of ball, 1,080 lbs .; weight of powder, 200 lbs .; 8° elevation; range in yards, 3,114; internal pres- sure registered 8,500 lbs. per square inch ; line shot at floating target, 3,336 yards ; ball fell short about 200 yards." And record of November 1, 1883, as follows : " Weight of shot, 1,080 lbs .; weight of powder, 150 lbs .; 14° elevation; range, 3,328 yards; with 11,000 lbs. per square inch, internal pressure; fired at deviation to the left of 2.8 yards." Each firing of this monster costs the government $160. It is doubted by military men whether cannon of such large calibre will, in the emergencies of war, excel as much in effectiveness as in size.

The fort proper, the " walled enceinte" in military parlance, is not armed, and is only used as quarters. It is customary for the government to change every five years the districts of the five artillery regiments. The present commanding officer, and also of Fort Wadsworth, is Col. John Hamilton, to whom we are indebted for many of the facts recited in this article. His predecessor was General Gustavus Adolphus De Russy, of the Third Artillery. Col. Hamilton came from McPherson Barracks, Atlanta, Ga. His command is the Fifth Artillery Regiment, of which he has at Fort Hamilton three companies of foot batteries, and one light artillery battery, making a total of only 250 men. The company of light artillery, comprising 65 men, 5 officers, 50 horses and 4 guns, under Major Ran- dolph, is denominated a peace allowance as a school instruction.

The regimental band of the Fifth Artillery is com- posed of two men from each company and a drum- major, under the able leadership of Prof. Wiegand.

The annual cost of the maintenance of this post is about $125,000.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

FORT LAFAYETTE is situated on the easterly side of the Narrows, at the entrance into the Bay of New York, and upon the reef known as Hendricks' Reef. It is separated from Fort Hamilton by a shallow channel.

The deed of cession describes it as 30 acres, 2 roods and 4 perchos of land, covered with water; and in the General Act of 1859, finally settling the territorial limits and jurisdiction of New York state, the descrip- tion, of the cession of 1812 was adopted, and so remains up to the present day.

The erection of the fort was begun the same year, it being made of solid free-stone masonry. At its com- pletion on account of its peculiar shape, it was called Fort Diamond.

At that time it was the only means of defence we had at the entrance of the bay; and from its parti- cularly advantageous position, in an attempt of the enemy to affect a landing, it would have been our chief aid in repelling him.

During the visit of General Lafayette in 1824, it was re-christened, and has ever since borne the name of that true friend of liberty. In 1843, the battery con- sisted of 73 guns in three tiers; the lower 42, the mid- dle 32, and the upper 24 pounders. During the late war, it was used principally as a place of safe-keeping of prisoners of state, being under the command of Colonel Burke. In 1868, it was dismantled and the guns re- moved to the adjoining forts. The first of December, 1868, in midday, while the roof was being repaired, the interior caught on fire and the fort was rendered useless; and, to-day, this once famous and now historic fortress is fast crumbling in decay, its naked walls re- sounding not with military life, but doing humble duty as a storehouse. It is under the charge of the com- manding officer of Fort Hamilton.

Across the channel and directly opposite Fort Hamil- ton, on Staten Island, stands

FORT WADSWORTH .- From its position, it commands more perfectly than does Fort Hamilton, the channel and entrance of the narrows, and during a foreign invasion, it would be our greatest protection.

Its area of about 90 acres was purchased from New York February 10th, 1818, by the United States, and by them its territorial jurisdiction, so far as affecting state rights, was transferred to the State of New York in 1827.

There are five auxiliary water batteries,-Richmond, Tompkins, Hudson, North and South Batteries. Tomp- kins was built in 1812; the others were begun in 1861. Fort Wadsworth was named after the lamented Gene- ral James S. Wadsworth, of western New York, who lost his life in the memorable seven days' battle of the Wilderness. It was commenced in 1827 and finished in 1869. It has 20, and Richmond 9 eight-inch mounted rifled guns. There is now stationed there, under the command of Colonel Closson, one foot battery of artil- lery as a guard-denominated the Wadsworth Guards.

The narrows between Forts Hamilton and Wads- worth are one and one-fourth miles wide, being about six miles from the Castle Garden and twelve miles from Sandy Hook .*

HON. WILLIAM H. LYON, U. S. Indian Commissioner. -In this gentleman, Brooklyn possesses, as a resident, not only a representative of the highest mercantile circles, but a representative of one the most important interests of the General Government.

By Act of Congress, approved April 10, 1869, the President of the United States was authorized, at his discretion, to organize a Board of Indian Commis- sioners, to consist of not more than ten persons, to be selected by him from men eminent for their intelli- gence and philanthrophy, to serve without pecuniary compensation; who may, under his directions, exercise joint control with the Secretary of the Interior over the disbursement of the appropriations made for main- taining the peace among, and with, the various tribes, bands and parties of Indians, and to promote civiliza- tion among said Indians; bring them, where practica- ble, upon reservations ; relieve their necessities, and encourage their efforts at self-support.

From the inauguration of the so-called Peace Policy with the beginning of President Grant's first adminis- tration, until the present, the progress in civilization among the Indian tribes has been marvellous; and the labor, time and zeal given to this work by the Board of Indian Commissioners, cannot be measured by dollars and cents. The practical business men of the Board created a revolution in the purchase, inspection, trans- portation, delivery and distribution of Indian supplies. The old corrupt system of making awards to favorite political contractors was abolished, and the same prin- ciples and rules on which honest trade among indi- viduals rests, were adopted by the Board of Indian Commissioners. Gen. Grant was fortunate in selecting competent, experienced men, of national reputation for ability, integrity and philanthropy. Among the Com- missioners have been Felix R. Brunot, of Pittsburgh ; George H. Stuart, of Philadelphia; Robert Campbell, of St. Louis ; John V. Farwell, of Chicago; General Clinton B. Fisk, of St. Louis ; General H. H. Sibley, of St. Paul ; General George H. Stoneman, of Cali- fornia ; Gov. D. H. Jerome, of Michigan ; Edward S. Tobey, of Boston ; William E. Dodge, and William H. Lyon, of New York.

When, in 1876, Hon. Zachariah Chandler, the Secre- tary of the Interior, was requested by President Grant to select a practical business man in the city of New York as a member of the Board of Indian Commis- sioners, he chose WILLIAM H. LYON. The government and the Indians are to be congratulated upon this most fortunate selection. Mr. Lyon was assigned to the Purchasing Committee immediately, and for many

* Furnished by Henry D. Kingsbury, Esq.

المتاعـ

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UNITED STATES INTERESTS.

years has served as its chairman, giving to the business of the Government the same measure of devotion that had made him one of the most success- ful merchants in the city of New York. The bus- iness of the Government's Indian Warehouse in New York received from Mr. Lyon the same con- scientious attention that he had given his private affairs. The best article for the purpose, at lowest possible price, was the one rule governing him and his associates. These methods stampeded the "shoddy " contractors, and now the best merchants, millers, manu- facturers, and cattle dealers in the country, compete by hundreds for the contracts. Mr. Lyon's visits to Chi- cago, St. Paul, St. Louis, Denver and San Francisco, in the interest of the Government's purchases, established at those great centres the same careful, honest methods that governed in New York. His visitations among the northwestern tribes have contributed largely to- wards securing justice for the Indians, schools for Indian children, and industrial education in its broadest sense. The Government was wise in establishing the Board of Indian Commissioners, and most fortunate in securing, as members thereof, gentlemen of the ability, experience and character, of Hon. Wm. H. Lyon.

Mr. Lyon is, at present, Chairman of the Purchasing Committee, which is credited with having saved the Government millions of dollars in the purchase of In- dian annuity goods, supplies, etc., since this Board was established. In former years, the purchases were so conducted that certain contractors were sure to get the awards. Last year 354 bids were received and awards were made to 145 different parties; and, under the present management, those persons are considered the lowest bidders who give the best value in goods at the price, and such invariably get the contracts. Dur- ing several summer vacations, Mr. Lyon, as a member of this Board, has visited, and held councils with, the fol- lowing Indian tribes: Chippewas and Pembinas, in Northern Minnesota; Sioux, Mandans, Arickarees and Gros Ventres, in Dakota; Poncas, in Nebraska; Utes, in Colorado ; Northern Araphoes and Cheyennes, Ban- nocks and Shoshones, in Wyoming; the Pi Utes, in Nevada, and the Mountain and Yellowstone River Crows, in Montana.

We have spoken of Mr. Lyon in his public capacity; let us now consider him in his personal relations, as a merchant and as the senior and founder of one of the most prominent importing and jobbing houses in Fancy Goods in this country.

He was born at Holland, Hampden Co., Mass., Octo- ber 18th, 1819 ; and (as was also Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., in the late war) is descended from William Lyon, one of the early English settlers of Massachusetts, and who located, in 1635, at Roxbury. At the age of 14, Mr. Lyon was sent to Hartford, Conn., to attend school, with the pur- pose of ultimately studying law. But, after leaving

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 57

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345