Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-11-24
THE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF
BALTIMORE.
Sbipbuiidins and Repairing.


Amongst those heavy mechanical establish
ments which have Illustrated in an eminent
degree Baltimore enterprise, we would specify
the concern of Messrs John I. Fardy and
brothers, which in the way of shipbuiding
and repairing, constitutes something like a
private navy yard Of itself Situated on the
south side of the basin, and occupying no less
than five hundred feet of water front it has
long been considered one of the most indis-
pensabe establishments, as an adjunct to the
commercial interests of the city, possible to
imagne and if the curious in regard to such
matters desire to know the extent of its
operations at a single glance, let them take
one OF the sl1ifs that ply across the harbor
from the foot Of Gay street, and they will
come across a scene of busy life and industry.
which of itself seems sufficient to stamp the
metropolis Of Maryland as Il great maritime
city.
One of the first things which catches the
attention of the visitor is the marine railway
Of the establishment, which, provided at a cost
Of some fifty thousand dollars, and operated
by steam, can haul up II ship of twelve hun
drcd tons in the briefest space. where repairs
are needed; and when we note that the firm
have had IN hand at once, as many as thirteen
steamers, most of them under pressing No
cessity to be completed us soon as possible,
and that the men are usually there to dispatch
them forthwith, it will give one some idea Of
the pressure sometimes brought to bear upon
their resources and how well they must be
managed.
And what is to be noted, additional. this
force comprises all the mechanical depart
ments needful to carry every branch of work
through at the same time, without leaving the
premises. Here are ship carpenters, joiners.
blacksmiths, sail makers, boat builders, and
even cabinet makers, so that if a revenue cut
Ter is to be built, the firm carries on the whole
work needed al the same time. And if any
one is doubtful as to whether the work of SO
many branches Of mechanical ingenuity is
well supervised, the beautiful revenue cutter,
Hugh Mccullough, just waiting the finishing
touches at the yard, can furnish proof of tacili-
ties at hand for whatever can be needed.
One reason why this firm is always ready to
take in hand the largest amount of work of
fered, making them almost pr0Yerbial amongst
sea-going men and merchants for their prompt
ness, is because they keep their organization
complete: their force Of mechanics always to-
gcther. If they happen at any time TO have
slack period in receiving outside orders,
they always have ship or ships on the stocks
on their own private account The constmc-
Of .o1 Sotor he -lNl,
structure in due proportions is laid down by
the draughtsman Of the establishment, on
paper so that the head ship carpenter, the
joiner, the blacksmith, spar maker sail maker
and so Oh, can each 90 and select his portion
of the work to be done and SO thoroughly is
everything systcmatized that everything Is
carried forward at once, all cmulous of doing
their portions Of the work at the time it Is
wanted.
Amongst the many fine vessels turned out
from this yard on account Of the Government.
have been the uganda and the ''I.incon,"
revenue cutters: whilst the "Nemaha, the
''Moccasn," the delaware" and ''Wildcl-
ness, have Of late been purchased by the
Treasury Department from private parties and
frigate Pensacola is the last one the firm have
taken in hand for repairs on Government
account.
1t will thus be seen that concern like this
is Of vast benefit to the community where it is
located, its heavy payroll keeping many an
excellent mechanic in comfortable circum-
stances, and its large consumption of ship
l IL l. !.
ing greatly the trade of the city in this line.
public benefit in its way, its enterprizing
managers deserve the appreciation and hearty
encouragement of the whole community, be
cause a small navy yard in itself, it has
throughout the conflict now closed, kept money
in circulation which otherwise would have
been dispensed in other cities, whilst it has
been of signal service to the Government.
And in this connection, we regret to learn
that orders from Washington have been re-
ceived here to close up all matters on naval
account. Amounting, first and last. to dis
burscmens on Government account of more
than six millions OF dollars, these disburse-
mcnts will be missed greatly, at season OF
the year when usually they are most needed
by the industrious and deserving class indi-
rcctly employed by the Government Dis
creety and ably managed by that popular
officer, Commodore Dornin, the close of
whose naval administration here all will re-
greet, the value of the establishment we have
thus noticed has been thoroughly appreciated
and valued by him a mpliment to the Nessrs.
Fardy certainly well deserved. In conclusion,
we hope that the establishment in question
will long prove a benefit to the mechanical
and mercantile interests of the city.