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A major employer and source of customs and other revenues, a busy harbor allows for a busy city! But wherever ships deliver and load rich cargoes,
there are those elements lurking to steal what they can. And wherever longshoremen are needed, there are corrupt labor interests trying to control everything.
But more than organized crime, there are other risks to visiting sailors and landsmen who come to the Harbor. Various businesses offer services of all kinds not available elsewhere, and they're not above taking advantage of the
unwise and unwary.
Still, when an expedition to some far away land must be outfitted, here is where one can find all that is needed. People needing to leave the country as quietly as possible can come down here to book passage on a Tramp Steamer,
or privately arrange for secret cargoes--of all sizes--to be sent out or brought into the country. Everyone is willing to deal for extra money on the side, in good faith or bad, but the Harbor is where all adventurers eventually go!
Block Section 29--The Wharf-- Another unique offering, this piece is a 30" long, 8" wide, and 2" high above the water key portion of The Harbor,
along which vessels of all kinds can tie up prior to loading or unloading whatever cargoes a Pulp or Gangster scenario might involve. It comes with an optional and equal length of "night water" textures to lay down in front, though builders
may substitute their preferred water surfaces. Judicious printing permits the Wharf to be any length desired.
Model and photos courtesy of Mr. Glen Allison
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Block Section 30--Uranium Steamship Company Warehouse-- The newest warehouse along the Harbor,
it is the property of equally new Uranium which has recently opened an office here. With ambitious plans to dominate the shipping industry along the coast--if not the world--its owners, ship captains, crews, and longshoremen aggressively
compete with any and all others, but particularly Stromberg. Rivalry extends to brawls between employees of both companies, and even claims of sabotage. While owning a growing fleet of its own freighters, Uranium seems willing to do business
with even the most disreputable tramp steamers carrying cargoes of uncertain legality, as well as dealings with a number of unfriendly foreign governments, in order to claim every available nickel of
seaborn commerce. Longshoremen frequently--and mysteriously--work late many nights offloading odd cargoes and furtive passengers from some of these tramps, often with heavy security.
The Warehouse is 9.5" square and 7" high, with three floors. Three loading doors face the Wharf, and three more the street behind for maximum storage
and dispatching speed.
Model and photos courtesy of Mr. Glen Allison
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Block Section 31--Stromberg World Wide Shipping & Freight--
The oldest, best established shipping company in the Harbor, they are significant employers of longshoremen and a major source of revenues to the city. Founded three generations ago by a Swedish Captain, the Stromberg family is part of the
city's heritage, despite their support of Prohibition and with no evidence of engagement in bootlegging, no matter the potential for huge profit. Indeed, the family supports a variety of charities and is the largest contributor to the
City Mission soup kitchen. However, the increasingly bitter rivalry between Stromberg and Uranium is beginning to wear even on this family's patience and goodwill.
The Stromberg Warehouse is considerably smaller than Uranium's at 5.5" high, 9" wide, 8" deep, with two floors, and two large loading doors facing the pier and the street behind.
Model and photos courtesy of Mr. Glen Allison
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Block Section 32--Shanghai Lil's-- The most dangerous saloon on the coast, where more people are sent to the hospital, jail, and morgue than in the entire city. And then there are those who simply are
never heard of again. Widely believed to be the heart of criminal activity in the Harbor, it's flamboyant namesake owner is herself without a police record. Believed to be involved in activities in Chinatown, too, her wealth and influence
provide her a special status in the City's Underworld.
The block is 10" square and Lil's is 7" high, while the shops along side are all 3" high at their roof peaks. Besides Lil's, other businesses in the Block include
Israel Hawkins, seller of maps and navigation equipment, Lloyd and Bridges Marine Salvage, Burlyman's Tattoo Parlor, and Sven Torgersen, Ship Chandler.
Model and photos courtesy of Mr. Glen Allison
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Block Section 33 Kravitz & Blume' Fishmarket --
This Block has the Harbor Master's Office next to Kravitz & Blume, a Waterman's flop house (the Backwater Inn), the Uranium Steamship Company's Offices, and the "Joe Hill" Union Hall for the Local Dock Workers Union, as well as district HQ
for the International Workers of the World (I.W.W.). Between agitating Socialists on the one hand, and Mob attempts to control Labor Unions on the other, all kinds of action can be played out here. The 10" square Block is just under 6" high
all around, though the Inn has a slightly higher gabled roof.
Model and photos courtesy of Mr. Glen Allison
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Block Section 34 Italian Business Block and the Metro Diner-- The second "Mean Streets" Block emphasizing the Italian Neighborhood common to so many great American cities. Here will be
found the Nitti's Drug Store, the Garibaldi Brothers Barber Shop, and a Locksmith's Shop run by Mr. Capelleti. Behind them all is the Metro Diner occupying a converted street car.
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Click Here To See "Mean Streets" Accessories: Streets, Sidewalks, Alleys,
Streetcar, Graphic Files, & Multi-Block Deals
Click Here To Revisit "Mean Streets" Block Sections 1-20
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All text, photos, and artwork are COPYRIGHT©2003 by Patrick Wilson.
They may not be used without written permission.
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Names of individual product lines are trademarks (TM) of the manufacturers.
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