Pier 70 Union Iron Works Machine Shop - Buildings 113/114

The Union Iron Works Machine Shop Building (Building 113/114), constructed in the late 1800's, is the oldest surviving building in the Pier 70 area and holds significant historical importance. This eastern structure initially served as the bolt and rivet shop along with the erecting shop. While the actual shipbuilding occurred in nearby drydocks, Building 113 played a crucial role as it housed the equipment necessary for constructing ship elements.

Within the machine shop, skilled workers fabricated the iron and steel equipment essential for the construction of large ships. Since its establishment in 1883, Building 113 has continuously functioned as an active machine shop. Over the years, it has been utilized for ship repair tasks, deviating from its original purpose of shipbuilding.

Connected to and immediately south of Building 113 is the smaller Building 114, originally designated for forges. Despite its smaller size, Building 114 shares a similar design with Building 113, and the two structures are commonly referred to together. Since 1883, these buildings have been instrumental in the production and repair of numerous metal items required for large steel ships, encompassing forges, blacksmith shops, and various machine tools.