A dock under construction at the Navy Yard, 1831. It was a popular pastime for people to tour the yard and stroll along the docks. The large structure across the bay is one of two ship houses (part of the other can just be seen on the right).
From Old New York: From its earliest history to about the year 1868 by Bayard L. Smith.
Wallabout Bay as it looked from 1776 to 1784. This map shows the location of various prison ships that were moored here during the course of the war. The first ship brought to the bay was the Whitby, and throughout the war at least 16 prison ships were kept here, including the infamous HMS Jersey. An estimated 11,500 Americans died on the prison ships, and for many years their bones continued to wash up on the mud flats.
From Martyrs to the revolution in the British prison-ships in the Wallabout Bay by George Taylor.
Two views of the Navy Yard in 1857. On top is the receiving ship North Carolina, which was permanently moored in the Marine Basin and used to house and train recruits. It could hold up to 180 personnel and was a popular spot for visitors to see. On the bottom is a view of the Navy Yard from behind the Marine Hospital.
From Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, February 14, 1857, Volume 3, Issue 62.
The “Ericsson Steam Battery,” USS Monitor. The hull was built at the nearby Continental Iron Works in Greenpoint, with the turret built at the Novelty Iron Works, and the engines from the Delameter Ironworks of New York. It was commissioned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on February 25, 1862, and left for Hampton Roads the next day.
From Scientific American, March 22, 1862, Volume 5, Number 12.
Lieutenant John Lorimer Worden taking command of the USS Monitor at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in February 1862. Worden was temporarily blinded during the Battle of Hampton Roads.
From The Illustrated American, November 6, 1897.
Working on the massive hull of the USS Maine, 1889. Its keel was laid in October 1888.
From Leslie’s History of the Greater New York by Daniel Van Pelt.
Launching the USS Maine, November 18, 1890. This was a special ceremony with roots dating back to the 3rd century BCE and the ancient Babylonians.
From Frank Leslie’s Illustrated, November 29 1890, Volume 71, Issue 1837.
The USS Maine as it looked when fully outfitted. Commissioned in 1895, it exploded in Havana Harbor on February 15th, 1898, with 258 American sailors killed. Some of its recovered guns were melted down and crafted into a group representing Columbia Triumphant on top of the USS Maine National Monument at the Merchant’s Gate in Central Park.
From Leslie’s History of the Greater New York by Daniel Van Pelt.
Three views of the USS Columbia Cruiser (C-12/CA-16) in Dry Dock Number 2.
From Scientific American, February 1897, Volume 76 Number 8.
Two views of the Navy Yard: looking east in 1903 (top), and looking west in 1905 (bottom) – note the Williamsburg Bridge just to the north.
From New York City: The Waterfront, published by the American Sight-Seeing Car and Coach Company.
Launching the Super-dreadnought USS New York (BB-34), This was the first ship to carry 14 inch guns. October 30th, 1912.
From Harper’s Weekly, November 16, 1912, Volume 56, Number 2917.
The Commandant’s home overlooking the Navy Yard, 1912. The main part of the house was built in 1806. Commodore Matthew Perry lived here from 1841 to 1843. It still stands today, protected by a large iron gate.
From Brooklyn, the home borough of New York City by the Municipal Club of Brooklyn.