Lot Essay
During the early 20th century New York city's transportation system experienced major technological reforms. One significant development was the construction of the underwater railway network from Manhattan to New Jersey. The system, a series of railway tunnels extending beneath the Hudson River was completed in 1910 after years of labor by William McAddo's Hudson and Manhattan railway. No longer did travelers have to rely on the slow moving ferry boats to carry them across the river. As far back as the mid-1800s various railway builders had attempted to construct a trans-Hudson train service but due to poor engineering techniques and lack of funding, their efforts had failed. At last William Gibbs McAdoo, a lawyer and former Director General of American Railroads, put together the financing and expertise necessary to complete the project. Upon the opening of the new train service, President Theodore Roosevelt wrote to McAdoo, "The tunneling of the Hudson river is indeed a notable achievement, one of those Achievements of which all American are, as they should be, justly proud". This tray, engraved with a map of the system as it appeared in 1913, commemorates this major transportation accomplishment.
The tray was presented to William V. McMenimen who was appointed General Superintendent of the Hudson Tunnel Project in 1905. McMenimen's name is inscribed under the section "Tunnel Topics." It is believed that the piece was awarded to McMenimen in recognition of his work by the board of the Hudson and Manhattan railway.
As one can see from the map on the tray, the final system included both underwater and underground lines. The first portion of the service to
be completed was the tunnel running from 19th street to Hoboken. The
mid-town segment from 23rd to 33rd Streets was finished in 1910. Also indicated on the map is the original Hudson terminal which lay between Fulton and Cortland Streets. Erected in 1906-08, the station was Renaissance in style and consisted of two twin 23 story structures. When it was built it was the largest office building in America. In 1962 the railway headquarters moved to the nearby World Trade Center following the takeover of the railway by the Port Authority Transit Commision (PATH).
Another presentation tray which marks a transportation achievement, the construction of the New York City subway, was made by Tiffany & Co. and is now in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York.
The tray was presented to William V. McMenimen who was appointed General Superintendent of the Hudson Tunnel Project in 1905. McMenimen's name is inscribed under the section "Tunnel Topics." It is believed that the piece was awarded to McMenimen in recognition of his work by the board of the Hudson and Manhattan railway.
As one can see from the map on the tray, the final system included both underwater and underground lines. The first portion of the service to
be completed was the tunnel running from 19th street to Hoboken. The
mid-town segment from 23rd to 33rd Streets was finished in 1910. Also indicated on the map is the original Hudson terminal which lay between Fulton and Cortland Streets. Erected in 1906-08, the station was Renaissance in style and consisted of two twin 23 story structures. When it was built it was the largest office building in America. In 1962 the railway headquarters moved to the nearby World Trade Center following the takeover of the railway by the Port Authority Transit Commision (PATH).
Another presentation tray which marks a transportation achievement, the construction of the New York City subway, was made by Tiffany & Co. and is now in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York.