Possible Naval Yard Bridge photo?

[Rhatkinson]

I would love to hear the opinion of the resident experts on whether this picture of the Washington Arsenal could (I stress could) show the Naval Yard Bridge in the background. On initial inspection, you would think not as the picture seems to be taken looking west (and thus towards the "Long Bridge".) However, there are some problems with that which make me think this picture is actually reversed. Check out the original:
   

and now look at it reversed/mirrored:
   

One main reason that I believe the mirrored shot may be accurate is that the East Potomac Park, which is separated from the arsenal by the Washington Channel (and was back in 1865 as well)
   
is not pictured. Rather, all you see is open water behind the arsenal. Check out the current view from East Potomac Park and see what you think. (I wish I could get a view from higher.)    

[L Verge]

These are great photos. I especially love the one you took while on Ft. McNair. Great view of the old War College with the cherry trees. As for the other shots, I am the wrong one to ask about any geographical and topographical things. First, are we sure that the buildings are on the Arsenal grounds? What year?

There was no East Potomac Park to my knowledge until the 1970s or later. The current Navy Yard Bridge is actually the third one that I remember in my lifetime. When I was a child, the main street of Anacostia (Good Hope Road/Harrison Street in 1865) went straight to the river's edge and up onto the bridge. It ended more towards the middle of the Navy Yard walls. You can still see the approach to that bridge from the new bridge. The old area just looks like it might have been used for awhile as a boat ramp.

The other thing that makes me leery is the length of that bridge in your photos. It seems way too long to me. But again, I'm not a good one to depend on if you need help identifying photos. I would love to think you have found good ones because I have only seen the one usual one with the guard headquarters in the foreground.

[Jim Garrett]

Ok Heath, use your lawyer skills to get access to the thousands of pictures at the Navy Yard.

[GARY POPOLO]

What great pictures! I have never seen the navy yard bridge but if it is not the navy bridge what bridge could it be? I have seen old photo's of the washington area but as hard as I tried I could never get a picture of the bridge. I hope someone out there can solve the mystery. Thanks Gary P.

[Rhatkinson]

Laurie,

First of all, thank you for leaving me a copy of your lecture on Mrs. Surratt. I really enjoyed reading it.

Anyway, the picture of Ft. McNair was from google maps, not from my camera.

The picture of the bridge was from a book called "Mr. Lincoln's Washington" by Stanley Kimmel (p. 143.) As for the Potomac Park, the map that I attached was from the 1800's, and so it appears to me at least that this strip of land to the west of Ft. McNair was present during the 1860's. IF (and if, as I may be wrong) this is correct, how could the picture be of the Long Bridge, as it does not show a rather large plot of land? It seems that this picture shows the Long Bridge, but things just don't add up to me. Where is Potomac Park? If I had to bet, I would say that the picture shows the Long Bridge (to the west), but the possibility must exist that it was reversed and that we are looking at the Naval Yard Bridge. I just don't know. Perhaps Jim or Dave in their expertise could lend some thoughts?

Heath

[L Verge]

There is a member of the Surratt Society who has been promising me a history of southeast Washington, the Navy Yard Bridge, etc. for years. He is very difficult to reach, but I'll do my best to see what he says. He has done loads of research on the area. My Kimmel Book is packed away, but I love it. Kimmel was not always the best of researchers, however. His papers were at the University of Tampa, but I believe that some were stolen a number of years ago.

[Rhatkinson]

According to one of the exhibits in the Grant Hall courtroom, Gardner took a photo of the Naval Yard Bridge after the assassination. Does anyone know whether this is true? The only picture I have ever seen of the bridge is the one we have all seen with the guard post. That picture was taken in 1862 according to what I read so I don't think that is Gardner's.

[L Verge]

A man by the name of D. Mark Katz wrote a book on Alexander Gardner about thirty years or so ago. Mark is now deceased and that book is also packed away. I don't recall seeing a photo of the bridge, but I can't recall a lot of things from thirty years ago. Anyone have a copy of the book? Barry or John????

[BettyO]

I do, but it's at home....

I know John Elliott does have a copy as well -

[John E.]

I believe this is the photo he is referencing.



I've always seen it credited to Gardner but was under the assumption it was taken as part of an Assassination Related photo series in 1865.

However, Mr. Katz's information has proven not to be the most accurate or well researched. The Library of Congress puts the date at April of 1865. However, the photo has 1850-1865 written on it. They don't credit any photographer that I noticed.

Here's the info: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/99472295/

[L Verge]

John,

That's the only photo that I know of showing the Navy Yard Bridge. However, if you start with Heath's first posting, he has interesting photos of what may be the Arsenal with the bridge behind it. I'm a little doubtful because that bridge looks way too long. Also, it comes from Kimmel's Mr. Lincoln's Washington.

Have you ever seen any other photo of the Navy Yard one?

[Gene C]

Hard for me to tell, but the MD side seems to be built a bit more than I would have thought. Or is this view looking towards Washington?

[John E.]

I would love to hear the opinion of the resident experts on whether this picture of the Washington Arsenal could (I stress could) show the Naval Yard Bridge in the background. On initial inspection, you would think not as the picture seems to be taken looking west (and thus towards the "Long Bridge".)

The mirrored picture is indeed accurate. However, the direction hasn't changed. It is still facing West. I know its a little tricky to wrap one's mind around how all that works. Its kind of an optical illusion.

The point of reference in the photo is the "L" shaped building. It was located on the south eastern side of Green Leaf Point and opened up to James Creek.

Hopefully this map will help you get your bearings:

[L Verge]

I hope this link works because it shows a definite Navy Yard Bridge in the background as seen from the Navy Yard. Scroll down to photo #NH 57928 showing the CSS Stonewall at anchor ca. 1865-66. Maybe Barry and John know how to zoom in on it for a better view.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-us...onew-c.htm

Gene, I believe that the photo we are used to seeing is taken from the Maryland side of the Eastern Branch.

[John E.]

John,

That's the only photo that I know of showing the Navy Yard Bridge. However, if you start with Heath's first posting, he has interesting photos of what may be the Arsenal with the bridge behind it. I'm a little doubtful because that bridge looks way too long. Also, it comes from Kimmel's Mr. Lincoln's Washington.

Have you ever seen any other photo of the Navy Yard one?

Nope, same here. That's the only one I've ever seen.

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Here you go: