New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-05
THE NEW BARGE OFFICE.
A NOTABLE BUILDING AT THE BATTERY.
THE USES TO WHICH IT WILL BE PUT-oRIGIS OF
THE NAME.

A NOTABLE BUILDING AT THE BATTERY.
THE USES TO WHICH IT WILL BE PUT-oMGIN OF
THE NAME.
All strangers in the metropolis, and thou
sands not strangers, crossed the Battery Park
during the last year have had their attention
arrested by the imposing granite structure on
the sea-wall near the spot where Drummer-BOy
Van Arsdale climbed the creased pole tore the British
flag down and nailed the stars ana stripes III lie stead
Probably ninetnne OF hundred have inquired OF
the park policeman other equally Weliniormed
person what this picturesque structure standing Ike
fortress, was be used for. When these people were
told "that is the Government Barge Office" they would
probably have been greatly asonished to have learned
that IL will have 3500O0 before tits finished large
proportion of this expense Tor building the i0unda
ton. The building is now occupied partially by the
Custom House inspectors, but 1t will not be ully com
peted before May J. after which all cabin passengers
and their baggage win landed instead o. being
taken TO the companys pier for inspection. General
Charles K Graham, Surveyor OF the Port has been APP
pointed OF the building. with to appoint
engineers watchmen and others necessary TO take care
of the property
The origin OF the name of Barge Office although
the term is familiar to every C/y-as applied TO
building used for certain Custou. House purposes Is a.
follows: The Revised require the Collector or
Surveyor OF the Port 10 place board OF every vessel
arriving foreign port one or more Inspectors OF
customs 10 examine anu bupcllHltHu ihc NcHNclg VI
baggage and cargo. This duty formerly performed
by means Of large open rowOoat, called barges which,
prior to ls43 were KEPT a small wooden building or
boat house situated what called the whitehall
slim at the foot OF whitehall-st. This bOahouse
became known the Barge Office The increase OF com
merce at this port and consequently the increase OF the
number OF inspectors made it necessary that accommo-
dations should be afforded them while waiting 10 be
taken to vessels and also accommodations Tor the per-
Torrance of clerical ana other duties which
devolved upon then In 1913 the Government leased
from the city Tor twentyone years small
pier adjoining the Whtehallsip, and Known as Pier !.
East River Upon this was erected wooden building
three stories high and surmOunted with cupoa and
revolving light. The building fitted for the uses and
purposes all the outdoor Customs officers, who are by
law placed under the supervision ana direction OF the
Surveyor This building was also called the Barge
Office The authorities OF the city refused 10
renew the lease theer alter its expiration IN 1854
and gave notice to the Federal authorities that
or later the space occupied by the pier would be
qured other purposes. Long before the expiration
OF the lease the Barge Oca by reason OF its peculiarly
exposed situation and its construction, had become
diapidated and was entirely too small 70 afford the
commodations necessary for the Customs officers The
steamships from foreign ports had considerably in-
creased in number and they discharged their cabin pas
sencers while the and landed them and their
baggage at Barge Office to be examined This fact
resulted often Ia the OBTAINING the board
was landed and examined Additional expense and AN
noyance to the inspectors caused the nspec-
tons had take place in the dark and could not be made
as carefully is necessary TO protect the Government
against smuggling As early 1862 measures were
taken with view 10 the establishment of necessary
accommodations for the outdoor business of the Custom
House. and for the decent and orderly examination of
the baggage Of incoming cabin passengers. The need
of these strongly urged upon Congress by the
Treasury Department the Chamber OF Commerce and
the Surveyor OF the Port. 1n 1856 the Legislature
authorized the municipal authorities to sell 10 the
United states piece of land then under water lying at
the easttry end of what called the Battery extern
sion and also TO lay out street over the Battery In
front of the land conveyed and grant the street
perpetual hight of way the United States The juris
dcton OF State the premists coded " the
Federal Government and the premises and the buildings
to be erected thereon forever TO be exempted from
taxes
nominal consideration Of $4,000 conveyed to the Fed
era Government portion OF the lands within the line
OF the Battery extension amounting TO about 3i9
In the stated that the land to be used
for slip dock for the Of Government vessels and
for the erection thereon OF barge Office for customs
purposes Congress In 1867 appropriated $22OOOO for
barge office. This expended during the years
following up 1871 in the construction of massive
granite wall resting upon the natural bedrock nciosing
dock 225 feet in length and OF the average width OF
412is feet also bulkbead wall 1875 feet In length from
Che slip the exterior Battery extension wall erected by
the city. The bulkhead filed up with sand taken
from the site Post Office (the construction OF
which had begun and when completed formed space
for the construction OF barge office about 125 feet
IN width and 225 feet In DEPTH equal to about 5000
square feet Since Its completion the dock has been In
constant use the cutters and otLer Govern
ment vessels but the open space adjoining was not
utilized for the that Congress made further
appropriations for the purpose In 1866 revenue cut
tiers were substituted for rowboats for the boarding
Of incoming vessels and before the completion OF the