And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Monday, May 19, 2025
Battleship guns under construction at the Washington Navy Yard, 1917
I worked in nearby Building 22, which had a big brass plaque outside - Erection Facility. This was where somewhat smaller guns were mounted into turrets. Just outside the back door of the "temporary" building inside was the base for a large 9-12 foot vertical mill. There was a large 20 ton lifting eye overhead which was later found to be only secured by a backlash snarl.
Is that the same facility later used by DMA/ NIMA/ (probably) NGA? Bldg 22 sounds familiar. I'm sure there was a precursor to DMA. I think that started in 1972, but could be mistaken.
22 was turned into a (tele-)conference center of sorts. Out the backdoor and an interior gate past Bldg 197 [abandoned rocket/missile assembly?], and all the way to the far NW corner was "SE MoPic", which turned into the mapping agency [now NGA?] facility.
Yet another skill lost...along with the equipment necessary. We could not replace the guns on the Iowa class ships that are now museums even if we HAD to.
It does seem sad to see abilities lost,but we can't build or launch a Gemeni rocket, either. Technology has made those things obsolete. That hits us in the emotions. There probably aren't many people who could build a stagecoach today, or a steam locomotive. The linotype machine is long dead, time marches on..
Look at all those belts and the beautiful tooling machines they operate!
A logger I worked for used a shop building to work on his equipment that was part of the old Idaho Mayland Mine. The old belt drive system was still there in the rafters and a huge belt driven drill press was still on the floor. The building was located right next to the mine's old head fame. A little part of Grass Valley's history.
I believe so. The building is right next to Wolf Creek and there is a concrete impoundment adjacent to the building that very well could have supported a small Pelon wheel. All the outside hardware is long gone, not surprisingly.
Too answer your question, my little brother, Master Carpenter, Prosthetics Designer and currently rebuilding/renovating a paddle wheeler he built 40 years ago. Just purchased a 240 year old house which he will renovate in between building and fitting artificial legs/arms. He's also an artist (paint/sculpt). So much talent that was almost killed by a drug ring in NYFC.
My Great-grandfather Jones was a machinist there in the late 19th Century. He was on loan to the Architect of the Capitol to do maintenance on the dome. He was up there and died of heat stroke.
I worked in nearby Building 22, which had a big brass plaque outside - Erection Facility. This was where somewhat smaller guns were mounted into turrets. Just outside the back door of the "temporary" building inside was the base for a large 9-12 foot vertical mill. There was a large 20 ton lifting eye overhead which was later found to be only secured by a backlash snarl.
ReplyDeleteIs that the same facility later used by DMA/ NIMA/ (probably) NGA? Bldg 22 sounds familiar. I'm sure there was a precursor to DMA. I think that started in 1972, but could be mistaken.
ReplyDelete22 was turned into a (tele-)conference center of sorts. Out the backdoor and an interior gate past Bldg 197 [abandoned rocket/missile assembly?], and all the way to the far NW corner was "SE MoPic", which turned into the mapping agency [now NGA?] facility.
DeleteYet another skill lost...along with the equipment necessary. We could not replace the guns on the Iowa class ships that are now museums even if we HAD to.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem sad to see abilities lost,but we can't build or launch a Gemeni rocket, either. Technology has made those things obsolete. That hits us in the emotions. There probably aren't many people who could build a stagecoach today, or a steam locomotive. The linotype machine is long dead, time marches on..
DeleteA handmade Nikon F1 or a Canon F SLR. They were a beauty to behold. Totally useless now.
DeleteLinotype: Lead, Antimony and Tin.
DeleteBullet casters still have those skills.
Never mind RUNNING a LinoType machine, find someone to MAINTAIN it.
Delete3-D print them suckers
DeleteLook at all those belts and the beautiful tooling machines they operate!
ReplyDeleteA logger I worked for used a shop building to work on his equipment that was part of the old Idaho Mayland Mine. The old belt drive system was still there in the rafters and a huge belt driven drill press was still on the floor. The building was located right next to the mine's old head fame. A little part of Grass Valley's history.
Leather belts and open spinning machinery. how many missing fingers?OSHA would shit a brick. Water powered?
DeleteI believe so. The building is right next to Wolf Creek and there is a concrete impoundment adjacent to the building that very well could have supported a small Pelon wheel. All the outside hardware is long gone, not surprisingly.
DeleteShould read Pelton wheel. My keyboard is shot and my eyes aren't much better.
DeleteToo answer your question, my little brother, Master Carpenter, Prosthetics Designer and currently rebuilding/renovating a paddle wheeler he built 40 years ago. Just purchased a 240 year old house which he will renovate in between building and fitting artificial legs/arms. He's also an artist (paint/sculpt). So much talent that was almost killed by a drug ring in NYFC.
ReplyDeleteSpin
My Great-grandfather Jones was a machinist there in the late 19th Century. He was on loan to the Architect of the Capitol to do maintenance on the dome. He was up there and died of heat stroke.
ReplyDelete