The Brooklyn State Arsenal
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THE BROOKLYN STATE ARSENAL.
We yesterday had an opportunity of examining the plans and specifications for this important work, at the office of Cleveland and Backus Bro’s, Architects, Wall street, New York, and propose to give a few facts and figures in relation thereto—little or nothing having been published, we believe, so far, in regard to the matter.
Our military readers will remember that when the old Arsenal in Elm street, New York, was sold some years ago, the Arsenal in Central Park was built. Last year the latter was sold at auction for $275,000 under an act of the Legislature passed last Winter, and the money was apppropriated for the building of Arsenals and Armories in some 14 different cities of the state, embracing New York, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Corning, Albany, Troy, Utica, Auburn, Syracuse, Dunkirk, Oswego, Ogdensburg and Ballston. These buildings are State-buildings, put up entirely under the charge of Commissioners, comprising Inspector General Bruce, Adjutant General Townsend, and Commissary General Ward.
For the Arsenal in Brooklyn $40,000 were appropriated. 14 lots were bought for $12,000 last fall, on the site of the old Wallabout Cemetery, corner Hampton street and Auburn place, but owing to some difficulties encountered by the Commissioners in conveying the title for the sale of the old Cemetery, the building has not yet been put under contract, but has remained dormant for three or four months.
The New York building was commenced on 1 January, corner of 35th street and 7th avenue, under the same Commissioners, and it will cost about $64,000. It is progressing rapidly, and the two will be completed about the same time. The others in country towns are on a smaller scale, except the one at Buffalo, which will be of about the same size as the Brooklyn building.
The Brooklyn Arsenal will measure 172x60, with two towers, projecting ten feet each way in alternate angles. The height of walls will be 32 feet; roof 46 feet from ground. One tower same height as main building, the other 81 feet to top of roof. The two lower stories will be used for artillery, meeting rooms, armorer’s rooms, &c. The upper story will be unobstructed, the whole size of the building for drill-room. The building will be comprised of brick, slate-roof on the slopes and tin decks. The trimmings will be of drab sandstone—style Italian-Gothic. The towers will be pierced with musket-loops for defense against mobs.
The new Arsenal will doubtless be an ornament to the city, and will supply a desideratum long felt. On Thursday the bids will be opened at the office of the Commissary General, and the erection will be commenced forthwith.