New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
BIG GUNS AT WATERVLIET.
THE WORK CARRIED ON AT THE GREAT
GOVERNMENT ARSENAL.
PROCESSES FROM THE CASTING TO TIE FIN
MISUNDERSTANDING ON HOOPS THAT ARE
RED-HOT TIE BIG sIXTEEN-INCH
GUN IN PROSPECT.

senal have been source of much interest to the
people Of those places for many years. and when
the sights OF either place were enumerated 10
the visitors the arsenal was always included.
The Government acquired the first acre OF
ground there in 1881. and from that time to the
present a sentinel clad in the uniform or the
| United States Army has always been on guard
at the entrance to the arsenal grounds Ihe
men who remember things that took place IN the
period known Before the war tell OF the
picturesque uniforms of the sentnels who USED
TO patrol at the arsenal gate and how their pres
encc inspired the boys who came from Troy to
peep at them with awe. Even John Morrissey,
when he had risen to the degree of Democratic
State Senator from his place of prize-fghter ana
Troy saloonkeeper. aroused less admiration IN
the breast of the Troy boy than the plumed son
Of Mars at the arsenal patrol.
The arsenal continued to grow. and as it de-
veloped in importance additional land was ac-
quired, until the plot embraced Us acres STU
ated on both sides Of the canal. The quarters
were comfortable and the grounds. naturally
beautiful. were handsomely laid out, well cared
for and the men whv Were stationed in the beau
tiful place knew little of the hardships and pri-
vations which are the usual accompaniment OF
a soldiers life.
STEPS TOWARD ORDNANCE-MAKING
In the fall of 1887 the first steps were taken
toward changing the general characteristics OF
the Watervliet Government reservation by be
ginning the manufacture of ordnance there. This
change has gone forward steadily ever since
that time and has gradually converted me place
into a monster machine shop under the dlrec-
ton Of United States Army officers. The plant
consists OF one large gun factory. DulhlhS
| ! 900 feet long and about 100 feet wide. when
was begun in 1890 and TO which smaller sec
ton was added in 1893. In addition to these
| there is a large storehouse barracks and quar-
tiers on the west bank of the canal. while on the
| other side are the original arsenal buildings
which are nov used for small work. In these
| buildings projectiles are finished and various
articles Of war supplies are manufactured.
Approaching these groups Of buildings from
the highway one passes through the gate past
the sentinel and along a broad, we-kept path
which leads through the old part across the
canal to a neat brick building in which the com
handing officer and the members have their Of
| fees. Pyramids of cannon balls and long rows
of dsmounted cannons of all sizes ranged in
| rows on the grounds impress upon the minds Of
the visitor the nature Of the institution, al
though the scrupulous neatness of everything
about the place and the churchke quiet would
suggest anything rather than war or prepare
| ton for destruction by scientific methods
A brief note from Major John G. Butler, the
temporary commanding officer of the post, ad-
mits to the great gun shop which is the i'm
| portant feature OF The institution.
THE GUN SHOP.
The first view Of the room where the man,
| moth steel tubes are converted into monster
cannon with its rows Of gigantic machines. its
cranes long vistas Of shafting and rows OF can
non in various stages of completion. is startiihs
to the person who has only bowling acquaint-
ance with great machinery. In the rafters ana
perched on belts. shafts and cannon tubes and
! 1ying from one perch to another one sees many
sparrows. which fit about the place with an air
of proprietorship quite out of keeping with the
surroundings Presently whistle blows loud,
deep toned blast and the heavy machinery takes
on life, the ponderous shafts and pulleys reycve'
boring and planning tools grind against the pieces
of metal which will be cannon. and four hun
dred sturdy men populate the ROOM from which
the sparrows have fed to return again when
the machinery stops.
The northern wing or the great building is
used for making the S-inch and lO-inch guns
and Pinch rnortars, and at the other end
the 12-inch guns put together and
finished. and there also are the machines on
which the monster 16-inch gun will be finished.
1O-inch gun all finished and ready for
transportation. confronts the visitor as he
enters the place. and by way OF Introduction
Alfred Christensen. the master mechanic OF the
place. said This gun is thirty feet long and
weighs $1,000 pounds. and there are about
twenty OF the same size in various stages OF