Year: 1869

Nothing can be more conducive to the efficiency
OF q navy than well organized system for the
manufacture and distribution OF war material,
through the medium OF an efficient ordnance bureau
With respect then, to this important branch Of the
government departments at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard few general remarks may not prove uninter-
esting to such persons as are not acquainted with
the management aud workings of the ordnance es-
tabshment this station (which. IL is not out OF
place to here preface with the comment, Is more
extensive and admirable IN detail tnan any other
naval depot.


From this station it Is that the greater number OF
our vessels OF war are supplied with guns and ammu-
upon requsitIon OF the bureau ut Washington.
Ordnance stores have recently been sent from here
to the ironc.ads Saugus and Miantonomoh and other
vessels about to take their departure for Cuba.
stores are also frequently sent TO vessels foreign
stations from this depot, at all times there Is more
or less active employment In getting out
acquisitions. Yet this branch has been closely
cropped by the unreenting axe OF retrench-
ment as is plainly eyinced by the fact that
the entire expenses OF this departm ent at the
Navy Yard does not at present exceed s4,2 90 per
MONTH The chief inspec tor OF ordnance In charge
ia Captain John j. Almy and the assistant inspector
is Commander Daniel l.. Brain. Both of these ON.
GERS are gentlemen OF much experience in ordnance
matters.


the building devoted to ordnance purposes,
which Is located on the right Of the main avenue
leading from YORK street entrance and short dls-
tance In rear OF the receiving stores. Is large
three story and attic structure, and, like
most OF the other buildings. Is bullt Of
brick, with gray stone trimmings. The first
floor Is devoted to the manufacture OF wooden
gun carriages aud all descriptions OF wood work ap.
pertaining thereto. On the second story located
the offices and other important rooms. The most
interesting OF these Is. perhaps that apartment
designated the Standard Pattern Room-a perfect
museum OF curiosltes such az are not acquainted
with the paraphernalia OF the days OF war. Here is
Kept an exact counterpart or pattern OF each and
every minute article IN the ordnance line ranged In
order, from the Iron gun carriage to the smallest
plate bolt screw. From these patterns aud draw.
1ngs thereof the exact thing required on requision
from the government bureau can be speedily and
without difficulty made. There s TO be seen
samples OF the interior of the sectional
ehrapnel and other lshells; the cylindrical guage
for measuring the size Of SHELF handspikes OF every
make In use; magazine food box; watertight pow.
der keys; gun tackle Of every description; powder
bag cartridges, and an iron gun-carrage the In.
vention OF naval offcer, which IL claimed TO he
very superior. The sample In question, made at the
Archtectural Iron Works, is for 32-pounder,
and weighs 2s6 pounds. These iron carriages are
manufactured also for guns ranging as high as 100
pounds.


The armory, in which are stacked upon racks in
the centre and along the sides OF the room about
1000 stand OF arms-muskets and pistols, &c-is the
next object OF interest In range OF observation on
this Moor There are noticeable uniquely ar
ranged the Old fashioned navy pistol, with their
heavy stocks and brass mountings, so peculiarly
suggestive OF early Impressions OF the blunderbusses
OF the DICK Turpin highwayman school, contrasting
so unfavoraoly with the handsome light breech-
L oadng pistol OF the Remington patent that are
stacked beside them There quantities OF bright
placed uniformly on the shelves all OF which tend
90 give that air OF order and care so essential to dis
clplinc, which pervadc the entire building Next
In order s the Joiners' snop ON the third floor 10