New York and Its Institutions, 1609

The location of the Institution is one of surpassing beauty and commanding prominence, and has been admired by the hundreds of thousands who sail annually through the broad bay. The principal building stands nearly in the center of an arc, the lower point of which extends to the Narrows, and the upper to the entrance of Kill Von Kull. From its windows the eye sweeps over the entire bay of New York, and searches for vanishing objects far out on the boiling Atlantic. Vessels from every quarter of the globe and of every variety and size, bearing the ensign of their own nationality, are constantly passing laden with the products of many lands. At one view is seen the majestic ocean steamer, leaving its track of foam, and sending billows to the shore on which the smaller vessels rock and gracefully nod obeisance to their passing superior; and at another, coast steamers, sloops, brigs, schooners, and the playful yacht may be seen to skim, rock, and toy in the breeze and sunlight. A wider and richer view of the commerce of the world can rarely be obtained on any continent. In nothing did the founders of this Institution evince more taste and judgment than in the selection of its location. The invalid sailor who cannot leave his room can still breathe the bracing air of the sea, and look out upon this immense picture of nature and art, which contains more of beauty and attraction for him than all the rest of the world. He almost forgets his malady and confinement, while the sight of his chosen element, decorated with the bright flags, whitened with the sails of a world-wide commerce, is spread out before him.

In 1841, the brick building on the hill, first erected, was fitted up for the treatment of insane patients, and a suitable enclosure thrown around it. An oven for baking and a large wash-house were also added the same year. In Septem- ber, 1842, the granite edifice situated on the north-east corner of the grounds, since occupied by the resident physician, was erected.

An association of ladies, styled "The Mariner's Family Industrial Society," was incorporated April 6, 1849, having for its object the relief of the destitute families of seamen. By an act of Legislature, passed March 17, 1851, a board of trustees were created for its management, consisting of New York City officials and the Board of Councillors of the Mariner's Family Industrial Society. In June 1859, the corner-stone of the Asylum, ordered by the Legislature the previous year, and which had been contemplate in the legislation of 1847, was laid. The plan was to provide a suitable building for the use of such "destitute, sick, and infirm mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, or widows of seamen, who gave satisfactory proof that they had paid the hospital tax for the term of two years."

Its location is on the south side of the farm, at the highest point of the rise from the bay, and about fifteen hundred feet from it. The building is a square brick structure five stories high, with accommodations for sixty inmates. The five acres of ground connected with it are finely cultivated, producing, an ample supply of vegetables and fruit. The view from the upper windows is rich and varied. The eye sweeps over three cities, the Bay from Coney Island to the Palisades, over much of Staten Island, Long Island, and New Jersey. The Legislature, by act of April 12, 1854, directed that ten per cent. of certain receipts of the Trustees of the-Seaman's Fund and Retreat should be paid to the trustees of this Asylum, which arrangement still continues.