According to the Brooklyn Eagle, King Street is named after a German named King who in 1842 lived in a stone house. He "made his fortune as a ragpicker and scavenger, at the numerous dumping heaps and eventual became a property owner." The...
Defonte's Sandwich Shop
Don't be put off by a long line, their large and speedy staff cranks out sandwiches fast! This long-time family business slings huge portions to make great Italian hero sandwiches and has its own Red Hook WaterStories. Defonte's Sandwich...
Jesus Colon: Stowaway. 1917
Jesus Colon, a Brooklyn Puerto Rican activist, traveled to New York from Puerto Rico on the S.S. Carolina in 1917. At 16 years old, he convinced his friends who worked on the crew to hide him in the linen closet in an effort to escape to New York...
Fire at Atlantic Basin, 1872
In November of 1872, a tall wooden grain elevator and several warehouse buildings of the Atlantic Docks burnt to the ground in a great fire which was seen for miles. Six hundred thousand bushels of wheat, oats and barley burned. New York Herald,...
New York and Puerto Rico Steamship Company advertisement, 1917
The New York and Puerto Rico steamship company's ships traveled between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Pier 35, Atlantic Basin in Red Hook. [ The Brooklyn Daily Eagle , March 27, 1917] The SS COAMO, SS BRAZOS, and SS CAROLINA were all ships that took...
Divine Burtis Shipyard, 1840-1905
Divine Burtis, Jr, born in 1802 near Huntington Long Island and died in Brooklyn on October 7, 1896 a respected ship builder. He is buried in Greeenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn. In the historical record, there a bit of inconsistency as to whether...
Ramon Colon, Puerto Rican, interviewed in 1973, talks about his WaterStories
Ramon Colon recounts his experience of traveling by boat to Brooklyn. He also discusses why Brooklyn Puerto Ricans often moved to 'El Barrio' instead of staying in Brooklyn. Transcription of interview: His arrival to Brooklyn. “I came by ship. By...
Notice of Sale: Atlantic Basin and Red Hook Piers, 1901
Around 1895, the several and various Brooklyn dock and warehouse companies, including the Atlantic Dock Company, merged into a trust called the Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Company. Old monied names such as Pierrepont - there is a street named after...
Frank Zotti Steamship Company
Frank Zotti, advertised in The New York Herald, October 1905 , that his U.S. Steamer BROOKLYN would debark from the Atlantic Basin to Fayal (Azores), Naples, and Genoa. Franjo (Frank) Zotti (1872–1947) immigrated to New York...
Song Celebrating the SS Carolina
The SS Carolina, was the means of migration for many Puerto Ricans, from 1906 to 1918. 1906 was the year the New York and Porto Rico Steamship Company purchased the vessel and made Pier 35 in Red Hook's Atlantic Basin her homeport. ...