A Field Guide to New York City Manhole Covers


United Shipyards Inc

Honeycomb on Roosevelt Island

cover image

From Warships to Manhole Covers

The United Shipyards on Staten Island's north shore were a major east-coast builder and repairer of Navy vessels during the second world war. The company started as the merger of several smaller firms including the Staten Island Shipbuilding Company, which included a foundry department. This cover is a direct descendant of the honeycomb covers produced by that firm.

DESIGN:

The department that purchased this cover felt no need to include any inscription , as by this time (probably in the late 1920's) the design spoke for itself -- SEWER.

UTILITY:

SEWER

RANGE:

This cover is found on Roosevelt Island behind Xavier Church. The honeycomb design is found throughout the city, although the United Shipyards labeled covers are rare.

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Don Burmeister -- Photographs