New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-12
$2O,OOO,OOO Sailors
Snug Harbor
Continued from second page.

strated their independence OF character BY
remaining.
Something had to be done with the
former homes of the rich and the fashion
able and many OF them were turned into
stores and business buildings. The fronts
were remodelled and a couple OF stories
added in some cases. A 25-foot business
building is not attractive to growing bust
nesses and. therefore, not so desirable as
an investment in these days Big busi-
nesses did not want such modest quarters
and the drygoods stores moved further up
town. From time to time the trustees wers
nj BILE to obtain control OF a lot through the
LAPSE Of a lease Then they would put up
a five or n six story building for business
purposes.
The first modern business building con-
structed on the farm was the stors
erected by a. T. Stewart in 1868. Later
the trustees built a ive-story building on
the southwest corner OF Broadway and ih
street. For years II was the centre Of the
look trade. II was equipped with freight
elevator. The day OF passenger elevators
was still in the future. Since then the
trustees have erected other moderate-sized
business structures. but none over six
stories high. This class OF buildings is not
row attractive TO business For this rea-
son the trustees are anxious 10 put them
selves in a position 10 regain possession OF
| leasoho in order 10 make larger build
ings OF the type called for in the neigh
horhood.
When Captain Randall died. IN lNi, ne
was buried not far from his home. on a
site apparently selected by himself. II was
his desire that when the Sailors Snug
Harhor." as ne decreed that II should ~
named when IL was erected. should he To-
Gated on his farm. II was 10 he construct
cd as soon as the estate should PROVIDE
sufficient funds to support fifty sailors.
Various causes operated 70 delay the tut
rlment or his plans The contests of the
will kent the estate I'm the courts for nearly
thirty years. The growth OF the city mace
T. necessary to remove his body when SIN
street was opened. and It was deposited IN
vault In St Marks Church until sueh
time as a site for the Harbor was selected
The continued advance Of the city COM
PEELED the trustees to Sive up any plan 20
place the home on tho old farm. ana u
was finally located on the north shore CO
staten Island. where the old sailors cou"
see the shipping Of the harbor
As soon as the title was established they
| began work on the Harhor. The lana was
purchased in May. 1881. on october q tns'
year the cornerstone was laid with appfo'
Pirate ceremonies, and on August l. lS., y
was opened. with thirty inmates. lus
lody of the founder was then transferred
81 I'M
the main building. the rcburial taking place
| on August 81 1884. ON May 81 M
| heroic statue To his memory. done "
Augustus Saint -Gaudens, was unveiled
For many years the inmates have num-
bcred more than nine hundred. the ac'ol,
modations being sufficient for a thousS"''
Any sailor who is aged decrepit ana "o'"
out and who has served ten years uuu''
the American flag IL foreign born. ana h'e
years If a native OF the United states may
apply for admission. III IL Is found upo"
investigation that he has insufficient means
of support he may then be admitted. ra-
cilities are provided for the old sailors "
weave useful and ornamental mats Fl"
make baskets, hammocks, nets and NINA,
ture craft. which they are privileged TO sc"
| for their own benefit.
| The visitor to the Harbor who can se'
into conversation with the inmates IS I'M
| ly to hear some tales Of the sea that WIZ
be as good as any narratives OF mari'i'"o
adventure he ever read. There are nerves
OF shipwrecks, old whalers and Arcuc 'e''
Grams with scars as vocal OF thrilhns eN
perience as those of any war veteran
The investigation OF the Titanic dlsas's'
has revealed the fact that the able seai'a"
| is not I'm such demand on steamships
he was In the days OF the square-rss,
! Perhaps the day is coming when the app.
cants for admission to the Haroor WIZ
| fewer than they are now, and the trusts
will be confronted with new propls"
that OF utilizing the increased surplus -,
| expenditures in running the Institute" -,
year were Si09,s57 81, which accounts
| the increasing wealth and gives SONIC -
of what the problem will be when the naa
| bor OF inmates decreases. In the nv" sn
time a means of looscnirg the ricehke So
of the hand reaching back through '
century is being sought