Washington District of Columbia
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Washington Navy Yard U. S. Naval Gun Factory 1935 Breech Mechanism Shop Furnished by : John G. Sharp
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| This wonderful old photo of the Naval Gun Factory Breech Mechanism Shop workers provides a clear image of these mechanics, unfortunately, we have no names but hopefully our genealogy trails viewers may be able to identify some of these men. |
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In the foreground the Naval Gun Factory Rail Road is clearly visible, the rail system was a constant presence on the Yard.
In 1886, the Yard transportation was forever altered; the oxen that had pulled heavy loads about the Yard for generations began to be replaced
by Naval Gun Factory's first railroad. This new railway system was a spur track of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. From its creation the Gun Factory
had used oxen to move heavy loads. For generations ox teams had moved timbers, spars, sail cloth and cordage all about the shipyard. The advent
of the new steel navy mean the oxen were no longer capable of moving the latest heavy guns and munitions produced by the factory. Over time,
the Naval Gun Factory's railroad system stretched to 11.3 miles of track and by World War II would handle thousands of rail cars per month. The
railroad's civilian engineer and firemen were all employees of the Naval Gun Factory. The railway was no place for Casey Jones-type highballing
since crews had to be constantly alert for automobiles and pedestrians.
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Like too many other early Naval Gun Factory photos this one does not include any of the workers names. Hopefully one of our loyal viewers will be
able to help identify some or all of these proud mechanics.
DC Photo ID's for their names to be included. |
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Genealogy Trails - Washington D. C.
© 2008 Genealogy Trails by Wayne Hinton