The New York Arsenal

The New York Arsenal. Governors Island. , In 1832, the US War Department moved the New York Arsenal to Governors Island. The arsenal was part of the Ordnance Department of the Army and was considered its own Army post, functioning separately from Fort Jay. The New York Arsenal did not manufacture arms, but its staff inspected, purchased and took delivery of arms and artillery from private contractors. The arsenal also functioned as a warehouse and as a distribution center of arms to Army posts across the country. During non-combat years, the arsenal yards held excess artillery and cannon balls to be redistributed to other posts, given away to small towns to become war memorials, or sold as scrap metal or slightly “used” weapons to other countries., The arsenal was established on 6.5 acres in and around the area now occupied by Pershing Hall. The location was behind and downhill from Fort Jay, allowing a clear field of fire from the fort’s cannons. After the Civil War, the fields of fire were no longer required, and the arsenal expanded along the Island’s north shore toward Castle Williams. The arsenal buildings are some of the oldest on the Island and include Quarters 135, the residence for the New York Arsenal’s commanding officer and Buildings 104, 105, 107, 109, 110 and 140, to either side of the ferry dock, which served as offices and storehouses. Following World War I, the arsenal was closed and its functions transferred to the Raritan Arsenal, New Jersey.