"King Street west of Van Brunt Street to Buttermilk Channel, showing in the background one of the Barber Line S.S. June 9, 1938.” At right is the rear of Pioneer Iron Works. The colossal iron manufacturer's building was first constructed in 1866, then rebuilt in 1881 after a fire. Buttermilk Channel is the narrow strait separating Brooklyn from Governor’s Island. The channel was dredged in 1902 in order to accommodate cargo and passenger ships."