New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-02
PLANS FOR WEBBS ACADEMr
BUILDING TO BE BEGUN NEXT SPRING:
AN INSTITUTION FOR THE CARE OF INDECENT
OLD sHIpBUILDERs AND THE EDUoA.
TON OF YOUNG sHIPwRIGHTs.


TON OF YOUNG sHIPwRIGHTs.
While the approach of winter will prevent the be-
ginning of work on the building of webb's
Academy and Home for shipbulders, yet the founder
Of the Institution, William Henry Webb Will mako
good OF the interim In perfecting the details OF his
plans for making the Academy model OF ms KIND.
IIe sailed for Europe several weeks ago partly on
of falling health, but more especially to vsS
Institutions like his own, in order to get suggestions
for improvements in his gemncts Not only VIII
inspect the large shipyars on the Clyde aud else
whore in Europe to find out the latest and most
effective inventions used in shpbuding but will also
20 through the large schools where mechanical trades
are taught, so to become familiar with the best
methods of instruction. Mr.. Webb Will stay abroad
until spring. and his 10 this city work on
the foundation Of the structure will probably Be
begun
The site for the Academy and Home is at Fordham
Heights where sir. Webb in 1885, bought over thirteen
acres of ground from S. L. NJ. Barlow. The location
is most admirable one, being on bluff overlooking
the Harlem River II is just above Fort George, ana
near the station of the Newlork and Northern Rail-
road A large frame house was situated on the lana,
but this has been moved to make room for the main
building The old structure will, however, be used
for some part of the work of the institution.
A force Of men has been kept busy all summer grad
ing and otherwise improving the grounds. While tbs
Academy and Home incorporated last spring Dir.
Webb did not make a formal transfer Of the property
to the trustees until a few weeks ago. The trustees
are Charles S. Smith, president Of the Chamber OF
Commerce: Professor William p. Trowbridge, OF
Columbia College; James ~ Brown Robert Rutter,
Richard Pollon Henry Steers, Andrew Reed, Charles
H. Cramp the shpbuider. OF Kensington, Penn; Mr.
Webb himself Thomas T. Rowland and stevenson
raylor The Board held a meeting a few weeks ago
at which nearly all the members were present. and
discussed the plans for the main building. Several
architects sent in designs, but after examining them,
the trustees returned them to their authors some Of
whom will make improvements IN their drawings this
winter when Mr.. Webb returns from Europe
design will be selected, with such changes as his
investigations may suggest, and then In all likelihood.
digging for the foundation will DO begun.
The situation of the building will be .
most prominent one, high above the Harlem Rivsr.
and the structure Will be visible from long way
on. 1t Is intended that the building shall be Of
considerable architectural beauty, that 1t may b
In keeping with its fine location.
The Institution VIII serve a double purpose, being
intended both a home for invalid and INDECENT
men who have been engaged In building ships in this
country together with their wives, and school
whore young shall be educated both theoretically
and practically, In the building Of ships and marina
engines. No charge VIII be made In either depart
lodging and even implements and materials gratui-
Mr. Webb was himself shipbuIlder before the war
and turned out Of the largest ships OF the day,
OF which he sold 10 the Italian ana other Foreign
Governments In this business he amassed fortune,
and of late years he has done nothing
but take care of his Investments A man Oh
charitable instincts, he could think Of no moro httne
way Of dsposng OF OF his wealth than Of making
It useful 10 unfortunate members OF the calling 10
which he himself grew rich. The decline OF Ameri.
can shipping has of course greatly decreased tae
msad for SKILLED shipbuildeIs. and MI. eeon ~
that many of his old associates were redueoG
poverty. To take of them ana others ,o. ate
similar condition seemed 10 him particular spPs ann
IN taking care Of the dying genera on6s OF ne
builders Mr.. Webb did not forget 'sg IT,. demand Of
the age for mechanics skilled Dop he aided TO his
and theoretical parts OF their crs; 1 shipbuild-
home the academy. While inc pm"sned OF late years
ing IN this country has been and war vessels. yet
almost exclusively TO coastins i ann American tapes
Nix Webb like every other PA s, soon come when the
| and expects that the time WI only build up
large merchant otser nations with ships. When
hut will also suppIS b demand for skilled shiPwr,gnS
this time comes The graduates OF weoos ~ nv
VIII Oe ia5; nay pounen. Pasa Z. =, accss,nia6
branch Of Amerii;sns age Even as things are ~
several 4 need for young men who nave saieG
present. thep 10Th Ia books and N the shops xno
shipbuildins tended the Academy shall supply.
such ,ids with which the institution Will 20 en-
The riii he supplied entirely by Mr. webb, and ne
dowcd W." tho assistance OF no one In the matter.
has mo"nt necessary Is not known, but tho act oi
p Than two million dollars worth of property:
no ~ not unliekly that Mr. Webb VIII spend hall o.
sat sum before he has placed the Home and academy
sn" footing satisfactory 10 himself IT, exacl
amount will depend largely upon the numDof -
mn stoy. which Is not lipltsds