Cannon Restoration

Best of luck on your project. Count me among those who think it doesn't have to be that expensive. On the other hand, that was a purely instinctive remark. I know nothing about this kind of work.
I agree with you, unless it has lead paint; I would think that the big expenses would be moving it, sandblasting it and painting it. Proper lead paint removal/mediation would make the restoration considerably more expensive.
 
Best of luck on your project. Count me among those who think it doesn't have to be that expensive. On the other hand, that was a purely instinctive remark. I know nothing about this kind of work.

The one that was trying to get $ for this project was police 340. Joined the site on Jan 13, 2014 posted three messages asking for donations and last logged 11 days later (Jan. 24th 2014). Don't think they were that interested to be part of the CW community unfortunately.
 
An acquaintance, about 17 years ago, told me that he was cleaning up a cannon in a park near where he lived. He made an agreement with the township to volunteer to work on it with his own money, simply removed many layers of paint using paint stripper from the big-box store, then repainted.
 
The one that was trying to get $ for this project was police 340. Joined the site on Jan 13, 2014 posted three messages asking for donations and last logged 11 days later (Jan. 24th 2014). Don't think they were that interested to be part of the CW community unfortunately.

Sorry about that. You have a valid point. Life does get in the way and you lose track of things you post and where. I was mainly trying to raise money for the restoration of the cannons on the site. While we did raise the money, it is held by the college and they have screwed us by not restoring the cannons and will all probably use the money as they see fit.. We are still trying to deal with the situation nd this is five years after we got the college the money.
 
Sibs sought fix-up for antique cannons in the Bronx, but their grand gesture got tied up in red tape

By
Nicole Hensley and Reuven Blau
| new york daily news |
Sep 06, 2018 | 8:30 PM


They were built to rain hell on the battlefield, but four antique weapons of war have been reduced to scrap metal after decades of exposure and neglect on the campus of Bronx Community College.

Kevin and Bill Farrell
found the weed-choked relics falling apart at the historical Revolutionary War marker known as Fort No. 8 in 2012.

The Brooklyn-born twins, both veterans of the Vietnam War, estimated that $200,000 would be more than enough to restore two World War I-era German cannons with "rotted out" stokes, a Civil War Dictator Mortar cannon and a turn-of-the-century British long gun to their former glory.

"The paint is all rusted, falling apart, chipping," said Kevin Farrell, who spearheaded the restoration project with his brother. "The Civil War cannon is basically a hunk of steel. Just needs a paint job."

They enlisted help from City Councilman Fernando Cabrera, who represents the area. In 2014, Cabrera set aside $200,000 to restore the cannons and, with the leftover cash, build a new war memorial in recognition of more than 300 Dominican-American World War II veterans. Cabrera's commitment was matched by state funds, and everything seemed set to go forward.


Four years later, neither project is finished; the Farrells and Cabrera are all still waiting.

The seemingly straightforward, well-intended project is ensnared in a mountain of red tape, regulations and what can only be labeled as bureaucratic indifference.

"The Councilman is frustrated," said Anthony Springer, Cabrera's deputy chief of staff. "He put the money in years ago. The community wants to see it happen."

The Dominican soldiers memorial has been delayed twice and its highly anticipated unveiling on the BCC campus, which was scheduled for Sept. 13, is once again on ice.

"Construction is not to the point where anything can be unveiled," said Cabrera's spokeswoman, Claire McLeveighn.

As for the antique weapons restoration: That project now appears to be dead. A CUNY viability report indicated it would cost about $1 million, due to drainage issues and added costs to make the site accessible for people with disabilities.

That has infuriated the Farrells, who have waited some six years for the completion of what initially seemed like a basic fix-up.

"It's outrageous," fumed Kevin Farrell. "The canons are literally rusting away."

The Farrell brothers, both 65, spotted the historic weapons when they stopped by the campus to check out its Hall of Fame for Great Americans.

The brothers, who grew up in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, but now live in New England, raised about $1,000 on their own.

But they needed more money.

The site two World War I German cannons were donated by French general Ferdinand Foch, who was Supreme Allied Commander during the war. There is also a naval deck gun built by a British company for the Spanish navy, and a Civil War Dictator Mortar cannon. Additionally, they are trying to restore a more than 90-year-old flagpole from the mast of the Shamrock IV. The mast was given to New York by Sir Thomas Lipton after the ship sailed in the America's Cup.

Initially, former BCC President Carole Berotte Joseph welcomed the campaign amid a decades-long streak of "underfunded" capital improvements to the University Heights campus.

"We are delighted that, at this time, you and your brother are willing to help us restore the memorial," she wrote the Farrells in a memo dated Sept. 28, 2012.

The funding saga began when the siblings reached out to Cabrera's office and secured the assistance. The state matched Cabrera's commitment — bringing the total to $400,000 — and has reappropriated the capital improvement grant each year since.

The Farrells were overjoyed.

They both stood alongside Cabrera during a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 28, 2014, in which the Bronx lawmaker announced his funds would be used for both projects.

"The ground on which the cannons stand is a prominent site whose history must be preserved. I am delighted and privileged to provide the resources to keep alive the memory of those who heroically served this country," Cabrera said, according to a Bronx Free Press report from the time.

But the CUNY viability report said the additional funds would be required to make the site accessible. Cabrera's office further noted that the site is technically considered to be federal property, making the use of city and state funds problematic.

That meant the $400,000 has now been used solely to fund for the Dominican soldiers memorial, which is being installed at a different site on campus.

"Our hands are tied on two fronts: It costs too much, and even if we did want to fund it we can't use city funds," said Springer, Cabrera's deputy chief of staff.

Emails spanning six years show the project's progress was stalled after President Thomas Isekenegbe took over in 2015. When CUNY's Board of Trustees signed off on the allocation of Cabrera's funds in early 2017, it was determined that all of the money would go toward the councilman's new memorial.

The college says it expects to complete the Dominican War Memorial by the end of the month, but a spokesman declined to provide a new date.

The cannons, meanwhile, cannot be restored unless additional funds are raised to make the site accessible, CUNY officials said.

The Farrells contend the school simply blacklisted the project, and inflated the weapons restoration costs in order to make it prohibitive.

Similar weapons have been restored for significantly less money in Swampscott, Mass., Appomattox, Va., Medina, N.Y., and Muskegon, Mich., according to news reports.

The average cost to patch up 18th to 20th century cannons can range anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on their condition and location, said Virginia blacksmith Alex Reut.

When told of the seven figure estimate to fix the Bronx cannons, Reut laughed.

"You can fabricate brand new ones and start shooting for a million dollars," Reut said. "No more than $30,000 per Howitzer. Much less for a Civil War cannon."

Full article with pics can be found here - http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-bronx-cannons-red-tape-20180906-story.html#
3542

Cheers,
USS ALASKA
 
Sibs sought fix-up for antique cannons in the Bronx, but their grand gesture got tied up in red tape

By
Nicole Hensley and Reuven Blau
| new york daily news |
Sep 06, 2018 | 8:30 PM


They were built to rain hell on the battlefield, but four antique weapons of war have been reduced to scrap metal after decades of exposure and neglect on the campus of Bronx Community College.

Kevin and Bill Farrell
found the weed-choked relics falling apart at the historical Revolutionary War marker known as Fort No. 8 in 2012.

The Brooklyn-born twins, both veterans of the Vietnam War, estimated that $200,000 would be more than enough to restore two World War I-era German cannons with "rotted out" stokes, a Civil War Dictator Mortar cannon and a turn-of-the-century British long gun to their former glory.

"The paint is all rusted, falling apart, chipping," said Kevin Farrell, who spearheaded the restoration project with his brother. "The Civil War cannon is basically a hunk of steel. Just needs a paint job."

They enlisted help from City Councilman Fernando Cabrera, who represents the area. In 2014, Cabrera set aside $200,000 to restore the cannons and, with the leftover cash, build a new war memorial in recognition of more than 300 Dominican-American World War II veterans. Cabrera's commitment was matched by state funds, and everything seemed set to go forward.


Four years later, neither project is finished; the Farrells and Cabrera are all still waiting.

The seemingly straightforward, well-intended project is ensnared in a mountain of red tape, regulations and what can only be labeled as bureaucratic indifference.

"The Councilman is frustrated," said Anthony Springer, Cabrera's deputy chief of staff. "He put the money in years ago. The community wants to see it happen."

The Dominican soldiers memorial has been delayed twice and its highly anticipated unveiling on the BCC campus, which was scheduled for Sept. 13, is once again on ice.

"Construction is not to the point where anything can be unveiled," said Cabrera's spokeswoman, Claire McLeveighn.

As for the antique weapons restoration: That project now appears to be dead. A CUNY viability report indicated it would cost about $1 million, due to drainage issues and added costs to make the site accessible for people with disabilities.

That has infuriated the Farrells, who have waited some six years for the completion of what initially seemed like a basic fix-up.

"It's outrageous," fumed Kevin Farrell. "The canons are literally rusting away."

The Farrell brothers, both 65, spotted the historic weapons when they stopped by the campus to check out its Hall of Fame for Great Americans.

The brothers, who grew up in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, but now live in New England, raised about $1,000 on their own.

But they needed more money.

The site two World War I German cannons were donated by French general Ferdinand Foch, who was Supreme Allied Commander during the war. There is also a naval deck gun built by a British company for the Spanish navy, and a Civil War Dictator Mortar cannon. Additionally, they are trying to restore a more than 90-year-old flagpole from the mast of the Shamrock IV. The mast was given to New York by Sir Thomas Lipton after the ship sailed in the America's Cup.

Initially, former BCC President Carole Berotte Joseph welcomed the campaign amid a decades-long streak of "underfunded" capital improvements to the University Heights campus.

"We are delighted that, at this time, you and your brother are willing to help us restore the memorial," she wrote the Farrells in a memo dated Sept. 28, 2012.

The funding saga began when the siblings reached out to Cabrera's office and secured the assistance. The state matched Cabrera's commitment — bringing the total to $400,000 — and has reappropriated the capital improvement grant each year since.

The Farrells were overjoyed.

They both stood alongside Cabrera during a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 28, 2014, in which the Bronx lawmaker announced his funds would be used for both projects.

"The ground on which the cannons stand is a prominent site whose history must be preserved. I am delighted and privileged to provide the resources to keep alive the memory of those who heroically served this country," Cabrera said, according to a Bronx Free Press report from the time.

But the CUNY viability report said the additional funds would be required to make the site accessible. Cabrera's office further noted that the site is technically considered to be federal property, making the use of city and state funds problematic.

That meant the $400,000 has now been used solely to fund for the Dominican soldiers memorial, which is being installed at a different site on campus.

"Our hands are tied on two fronts: It costs too much, and even if we did want to fund it we can't use city funds," said Springer, Cabrera's deputy chief of staff.

Emails spanning six years show the project's progress was stalled after President Thomas Isekenegbe took over in 2015. When CUNY's Board of Trustees signed off on the allocation of Cabrera's funds in early 2017, it was determined that all of the money would go toward the councilman's new memorial.

The college says it expects to complete the Dominican War Memorial by the end of the month, but a spokesman declined to provide a new date.

The cannons, meanwhile, cannot be restored unless additional funds are raised to make the site accessible, CUNY officials said.

The Farrells contend the school simply blacklisted the project, and inflated the weapons restoration costs in order to make it prohibitive.

Similar weapons have been restored for significantly less money in Swampscott, Mass., Appomattox, Va., Medina, N.Y., and Muskegon, Mich., according to news reports.

The average cost to patch up 18th to 20th century cannons can range anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on their condition and location, said Virginia blacksmith Alex Reut.

When told of the seven figure estimate to fix the Bronx cannons, Reut laughed.

"You can fabricate brand new ones and start shooting for a million dollars," Reut said. "No more than $30,000 per Howitzer. Much less for a Civil War cannon."

Full article with pics can be found here - http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-bronx-cannons-red-tape-20180906-story.html#
3542

Cheers,
USS ALASKA
Sibs sought fix-up for antique cannons in the Bronx, but their grand gesture got tied up in red tape

By
Nicole Hensley and Reuven Blau
| new york daily news |
Sep 06, 2018 | 8:30 PM


They were built to rain hell on the battlefield, but four antique weapons of war have been reduced to scrap metal after decades of exposure and neglect on the campus of Bronx Community College.

Kevin and Bill Farrell
found the weed-choked relics falling apart at the historical Revolutionary War marker known as Fort No. 8 in 2012.

The Brooklyn-born twins, both veterans of the Vietnam War, estimated that $200,000 would be more than enough to restore two World War I-era German cannons with "rotted out" stokes, a Civil War Dictator Mortar cannon and a turn-of-the-century British long gun to their former glory.

"The paint is all rusted, falling apart, chipping," said Kevin Farrell, who spearheaded the restoration project with his brother. "The Civil War cannon is basically a hunk of steel. Just needs a paint job."

They enlisted help from City Councilman Fernando Cabrera, who represents the area. In 2014, Cabrera set aside $200,000 to restore the cannons and, with the leftover cash, build a new war memorial in recognition of more than 300 Dominican-American World War II veterans. Cabrera's commitment was matched by state funds, and everything seemed set to go forward.


Four years later, neither project is finished; the Farrells and Cabrera are all still waiting.

The seemingly straightforward, well-intended project is ensnared in a mountain of red tape, regulations and what can only be labeled as bureaucratic indifference.

"The Councilman is frustrated," said Anthony Springer, Cabrera's deputy chief of staff. "He put the money in years ago. The community wants to see it happen."

The Dominican soldiers memorial has been delayed twice and its highly anticipated unveiling on the BCC campus, which was scheduled for Sept. 13, is once again on ice.

"Construction is not to the point where anything can be unveiled," said Cabrera's spokeswoman, Claire McLeveighn.

As for the antique weapons restoration: That project now appears to be dead. A CUNY viability report indicated it would cost about $1 million, due to drainage issues and added costs to make the site accessible for people with disabilities.

That has infuriated the Farrells, who have waited some six years for the completion of what initially seemed like a basic fix-up.

"It's outrageous," fumed Kevin Farrell. "The canons are literally rusting away."

The Farrell brothers, both 65, spotted the historic weapons when they stopped by the campus to check out its Hall of Fame for Great Americans.

The brothers, who grew up in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, but now live in New England, raised about $1,000 on their own.

But they needed more money.

The site two World War I German cannons were donated by French general Ferdinand Foch, who was Supreme Allied Commander during the war. There is also a naval deck gun built by a British company for the Spanish navy, and a Civil War Dictator Mortar cannon. Additionally, they are trying to restore a more than 90-year-old flagpole from the mast of the Shamrock IV. The mast was given to New York by Sir Thomas Lipton after the ship sailed in the America's Cup.

Initially, former BCC President Carole Berotte Joseph welcomed the campaign amid a decades-long streak of "underfunded" capital improvements to the University Heights campus.

"We are delighted that, at this time, you and your brother are willing to help us restore the memorial," she wrote the Farrells in a memo dated Sept. 28, 2012.

The funding saga began when the siblings reached out to Cabrera's office and secured the assistance. The state matched Cabrera's commitment — bringing the total to $400,000 — and has reappropriated the capital improvement grant each year since.

The Farrells were overjoyed.

They both stood alongside Cabrera during a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 28, 2014, in which the Bronx lawmaker announced his funds would be used for both projects.

"The ground on which the cannons stand is a prominent site whose history must be preserved. I am delighted and privileged to provide the resources to keep alive the memory of those who heroically served this country," Cabrera said, according to a Bronx Free Press report from the time.

But the CUNY viability report said the additional funds would be required to make the site accessible. Cabrera's office further noted that the site is technically considered to be federal property, making the use of city and state funds problematic.

That meant the $400,000 has now been used solely to fund for the Dominican soldiers memorial, which is being installed at a different site on campus.

"Our hands are tied on two fronts: It costs too much, and even if we did want to fund it we can't use city funds," said Springer, Cabrera's deputy chief of staff.

Emails spanning six years show the project's progress was stalled after President Thomas Isekenegbe took over in 2015. When CUNY's Board of Trustees signed off on the allocation of Cabrera's funds in early 2017, it was determined that all of the money would go toward the councilman's new memorial.

The college says it expects to complete the Dominican War Memorial by the end of the month, but a spokesman declined to provide a new date.

The cannons, meanwhile, cannot be restored unless additional funds are raised to make the site accessible, CUNY officials said.

The Farrells contend the school simply blacklisted the project, and inflated the weapons restoration costs in order to make it prohibitive.

Similar weapons have been restored for significantly less money in Swampscott, Mass., Appomattox, Va., Medina, N.Y., and Muskegon, Mich., according to news reports.

The average cost to patch up 18th to 20th century cannons can range anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on their condition and location, said Virginia blacksmith Alex Reut.

When told of the seven figure estimate to fix the Bronx cannons, Reut laughed.

"You can fabricate brand new ones and start shooting for a million dollars," Reut said. "No more than $30,000 per Howitzer. Much less for a Civil War cannon."

Full article with pics can be found here - http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-bronx-cannons-red-tape-20180906-story.html#
3542

Cheers,
USS ALASKA
Like the article says, it sounds as though the school doesn't want them restored and if not, let them go to some group that will give them the care that they deserve.
 
Hi all, I am Kevin the other twin. The college received 400K to do this restoration and put in a monument for the Dominican American vets. The monument was unveiled a few months ago but from the looks of it did not cost 400K. Where did the rest of the money go? My brother and I put our heart into getting this memorial to NYU veterans restored and in like new condition and the college says it was not enough money. We only wanted to restore things, the college wanted to do work on the grounds itself but could not because of its Revolutionary War significance.

The college screwed us and all veterans by their behavior.

Kevin
 
Nothing was ever done to the cannons. We have not spoken with the college recently as it appears they don't want to do anything with them. They told us maybe we could raise more money to get them repaired.

Kevin
 
Nothing was ever done to the cannons. We have not spoken with the college recently as it appears they don't want to do anything with them. They told us maybe we could raise more money to get them repaired.

Would they be open to their removal?

Cheers,
USS ALASKA
 
This is very interesting.

That being said, no matter what comes of it, y'all have done a good thing by your efforts to save those artillery pieces and I hope one way or another that y'all succeed in this endeavor. I can only imagine the headache this effort has been with a college that seemingly appears to be so intent on stopping your efforts on their part.
Although if it were me at this point I'd be thinking about a legal solution if they did misuse funds raised...

But anyway good luck and keep up the good fight!
 
This is very interesting.

That being said, no matter what comes of it, y'all have done a good thing by your efforts to save those artillery pieces and I hope one way or another that y'all succeed in this endeavor. I can only imagine the headache this effort has been with a college that seemingly appears to be so intent on stopping your efforts on their part.
Although if it were me at this point I'd be thinking about a legal solution if they did misuse funds raised...

But anyway good luck and keep up the good fight!


Thanks Member. I don’t know what will happen. I filed complaint with NY City Office of Investigation for misuse of funds. They took complaint but now won’t tell us anything stating it is confidential.

Kevin
 
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