Evening star., 1932-10-22
NAVY YARD HISTORY
GIVEN BY DUHAMEL
ShipbuiIding Here During War
of 1912 Described to So
ciety of Natives.

Shipbuilding at the Washington
drew to the southeast section of the
city large number of block makers,
ship carpenters, anchorsmiths. brass
founders blacksmiths and other arti-
sans of maritime occupations, old
Washington city directories reveal,
James F. Duhamel told the Society
of Natives at its first 1928 meeting
last night Mr.. Duhamel presented a
paper on the Navy Yard section in
which he reviewed its history and cited
famous Washingtonians who were born
there.
During the business session, the So
ciety authorized its president, DR.. Clar-
ence A. Weaver, to appoint committee
of three members to study the poSsibil-
tiles of establishing in Washington a
memorial to John Philip Sousa, march
king and native of Southeast Wash
ington.
Hear Community Chest Talk.
At the same session the society was
so moved by Community Chest
address by Francis St. Austell of the
Chest speakers bureau that 1t con-
sidered making an immediate appro-
priation from its treasury for the chest
campaign. 1t finally was agreed, how
ever, to refer the question of making
such a donation to the Executive Com
mittee. with instructions to report back
to the society
ton Mr. Duhamel pointed out that
long before the Federal City was con-
sidered for the present site the water
front east of the present naval reserva-
tion was busy transporting colonial
commerce 1t was there, Mr. Duhamel
declared, that a ferry connecting the
turnpike from Annapolis, Marlboro and
other Maryland communities with old
Georgetown traversed the Potomac
waters.
Early in the nineteenth century, the
historian continued, European-bound
vessels departed with cargoes from
young America and other ships brought
in Cuban sugar Washington's nautical
life was further enlivened, he said, by
the shipbuilding activities at the Navy
Yard during the War of 1872. This
era, he said. wss marked by the resi-
dence in Southeast washington of
many persons engaged in the various
trades incident to the building of
vessels.
Had Fire Company.
Despite its comparatively large popu-
lation, however. Mr.. Duhamel said, the
Navy Yard section never had theater
of its own, a newspaper or even
circus grounds" 1t did. however,
boast Of flre-flghting organization in
the old Anaccstia Fire Co., he said.
Two of Washington's most famous
natives, Mr.. Duhamel said, were John
Philip Sousa, famous band leader and
composer of marches. and Mrs. E. D.
E. N. Southworth, widely-read novelist
of the last century. both of whom were
born in Southeast Washington.
Among the other prominent names
associated with ''the Navy Yard sec
ton" Mr.. Duhamel said. were Daniel
Carroll, one Of the original proprietors,
who was owner of the land on which
the Capitol was built: William Prout,
another proprietor, who owned the land
subsequently embraced by the Navy
Yard itself; Samuel Smallwood. once
city mayor Of Washington and one OF
its prominent merchants; Horatio
Easily, early shipbuilder; Griffith
Coombs and James D. Barry, mer-
chants, and James Carbery, brother OF
Mayor Thomas Carbery. who was chief
clerk at the Navy Yard, and Capt.
Joseph johnson, builder of early ferry
boats which made the Washington
Alexandra run.