I was recently contacted by Barbara Hennessy, who's married to Hugh Hennessy, grandson of Papa's oldest sister Margaret Mulcahy Hennessy. (These are the perks of putting your name and e-mail address all over the internet!) She's just started researching the Mulcahy side of the family, and so we've shared some information.
After I pointed her to the blog, she offered a correction to this post, saying, "Also on the blog I noticed the comment about Karbo Bronze Foundry being involved in the NASA program – this is a mixup. Karbo manufactured ship parts first then did a lot of work for Haywood Pool Filters. My husband Hugh Hennessy worked for Grumman Aerospace on the LEM etc. that’s the real tie in!"
My name is Christopher and I'm a current tenant at 24 Van Dyke Street (also known as 177 Dwight Street) in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Reading this post, I understand that there are still some people who remember the Karbo Bronze Foundry. Is there any chance that I could ask a few questions about the history of the building (including what powered the amazing giant foundry machine behind the building?) from one of the family members?
ReplyDeleteChristopher - I don't know how much technical information any of the family members know, but if you'll contact me - or just post - an address where we can get in touch with you, I can try to put you in contact with one of them who might remember something.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon this post. I will ask my Dad Joseph Hennessy Jr if he remembers what powered the Foundry machine behind the building, I am sure he will remember.
ReplyDeleteI knew Hugh III as a child and saw him a few times in the late 60's, however, I never knew that he worked for Gruman. Karbo Bronze Foundry did make a valve for the NASA program. After WWII the foundry relied heavily on their connection to the Rita Hayworth Swimming Pools, but they continued to make brass valves and later started making Aluminum Letters for Rebco Engeneering. There was also a short time where they made Brass Grave Markers & Brass Memorial Vases for Brooklyn Cemeteries. This was an idea of John Hennessy, Hugh Sr's third son. Timing is everything, now Brass Grave Markers are probably as common as Granite.
ReplyDeleteToday there are cemeteries that only allow Brass Grave Markers, John's idea was right on, just a little ahead of it's time. I also remember when all five brothers worked at the foundry, until Gene and Phillip moved to NJ to open a new foundry. I remember how Mildred Hennessy was the "glue" that kept Peace among the brothers and how much Hugh Sr. appreciated Mildred, not that the "brothers" realized how significant Mildred's role at Karbo was. My wife and I saw Mildred and Joe at Baron de Kalb K of C in Brooklyn on several occasions. They were so pleasant and always seemed so happy. I know that oil fuel was used at the foundry, it probably was used for the main furnace. This is how it was at Karbo Bronz in the 50's up to when I was a student in college, in the 60's. My wife and are not just strangers looking on, but John Hennessy was my Uncle, his brother Hugh Jr. was my wife's 1st cousin.