mm * iversity of California. FROM THE URHARY < >F DR. FRANCIS L E B E R I , Professor of History and Law in Columbia College, Is ow York. THK GIFT OF MICHAEL REES Of San Francisco, 1373. l^J -- CONSTRUCTION, COST, AND CAPACITY CEOTON AQUEDUCT, COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS: TOGETHER WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE CIVIC CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTEENTH OCTOBER, 1842, ON OCCASION OF THE COM…

THE SUCCESSIVE COMMON COUNCILS, WHO HAVE DILIGENTLY, INTELLIGENTLY, AND PERSEVERINGLY CARRIED OUT THIS VOTE TO A SUCCESSFUL AND MAGNIFICENT ISSUE, THIS VOLUME, RECORDING THE PROGRESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF AN ENTERPRISE, ALIKE GRAND IN DESIGN AND BENEFICENT IN RESULTS, IS INSCRIBED BY THEIR FELLOW CITIZEN, CHARLES KING. PREFACE IN LAYING this volume before the Common Council and the public…

spirit which, looking beyond the present, is content to endure and labor for remotest generations. In effect, water might have been obtained adequate to the actual wants of the city at very much less cost, leaving to posterity the care of providing for its own need ; but the more generous view prevailed, and, in deciding as the people of New York by their votes did, to construct an Aqueduct l…

as well as of the devices for supplying themselves with water in use among the earliest peoples nothing material to the information of the general reader is omitted. The Memoir of the Croton Aqueduct is compiled from official reports and documents, as for the most part is the sketch of the numerous attempts which, from an early day, were made by the citizens of New York, to insure a supply of pu…

Matthews, in 1834, descriptive of water works in Great Britain, and the exceedingly clever book on Hydraulics and Mechanics, published in our city last year, by THOMAS EWBANK, have furnished or indicated much of the material used in the Essay. To Ewbank's book particular obligation is acknowledged, alike for what is to be found in its pages, and for references they afford to other sources of infor…

unspeakably in this compilation, and saved many a weary hour of fruitless research. A few words as to the style in which the volume is published: It was the earnest wish and desire of the Author, that a book, commemorating so magnificent an enterprise should be sent forth with some luxury of typography, and especially with the illustration of numerous engravings, and he earnestly pressed this …

First Ward. CALYIN BALIS. HARMON C. WESTERYELT. Second Ward. Second Ward. CALEB S. WOODHULL. GEORGE F. NESBITT. Third Ward. Third Ward. JOHN A. UNDERWOOD. WILLIAM DODGE. Fourth Ward. Fourth Ward. ROBERT MARTIN. DAYID T. WILLIAMS. Fifth Ward. Fifth Ward. ROBERT JONES. WILLIAM ADAMS. Sixth Ward. Sixth Ward. CLARKSON CROLIUS, JR. RICHARD H. ATWELL. Seventh Ward. Seventh Ward. CHARLES W. SMITH.…

WATER, as one of the elements alike of animal and vegetable life, has always been an object of man's attention. In the early ages, indeed, it was reverenced as the substance of which all things were supposed to be made, and the vivifying principle that animated the whole hence rivers, fountains, and wells were worshipped, and religious ; feasts and ceremonies instituted in honor of them, and of …

Shaw, in his History of the Province of " that heathen customs were much practised among the people, such as Moray says, pilgrimages to wells, and building chapels to fountains.At the present time, in some parts of England, remains of well-worship are preserved in the custom of performing annual processions to them r decorating them with wreaths and chaplets of flowers, singing hymns, and reading…

In all ages and countries, from the most remote periods, a supply of the indispensable article water has been an object of solicitude, and various were the means by which it was obtained and diffused. In Asia, the original home of the human race, where rain seldom falls, and rivers and running streams are rare, wells were early devised. The antiquity, indeed, of this mode of obtaining and collecti…

On this supposition only can we account for many of them being perforated through rocks, some of the oldest wells known, being dug entirely through that material and to a prodigious depth.* " The Jews," as by the Abbe Pleury, in his Manners of the justly remarked ' is " Ancient Israelites,' owing to their numerous herds of cattle, set a very high value upon their wells and cisterns, more esp…

Numerous wells of great antiquity are still to be seen in Egypt, and among the ruins of Ninevah, a city of which the foundation was laid by Ashur, the son of an antediluvian, is a remarkable well which supplies the peasants with water, to which they ascribe many virtues.! It was a common practice in those Eastern countries, to, erect stations and place guards for the protection of wells against …

It was in digging a well in 1711, that the long buried ruins of Herculaneum were discovered, by the accidental striking upon some pieces of marble and statues, which subsequently proved to be part of a temple, situated in the midst of Herculaneum, buried by an eruption of Vesuvius, 1630 years before and it is a fact interesting in itself and ; not foreign to our subject, to add, that among the r…

It is excavated of these dimensions through solid rock to the depth of 165 feet, where it is enlarged into a capacious chamber, in the bottom of which is formed a basin, or reservoir, to receive the water raised from below, for this chamber is not the bottom of the well. On one side of the reservoir, another shaft is continued 130 feet lower, where it emerges through the rock into a bed of gravel,…

"A spiral passage way is cut through the rock, from the surface of the ground to the chamber, independent of the well, round which it winds with so gentle a descent, that persons sometimes ride up or down upon asses or mules. It is six feet four inches wide, and seven feet two inches high. Between it and the interior of the well, a wall of rock is left, to prevent persons falling, or even lookin…

To erect of granite a flight of "geometrical" or " well-stairs," two or three hundred feet high, on the surface of the ground, would require extraordinary skill r although in the execution every aid from rules, measures,, and the light of day, would guide the workmen at every step ; but to' begin such a work at the top and construct it downward, by excavation alone, in the dark bowels of the eart…

It would seem no stronger, in proportion, than sheets of pasteboard placed on edge, to support one end of the stairs of a modern built house, for it must be borne in mind, that the massive roof of the spiral passage next the well, has nothing but this film of rock to support it, or to prevent such portions from falling as are loosened by fissures,, or such as from changes in the direction of the …

Van Sleb, who visited Egypt several times in the 17th century, says some of the people in his time thought it Avas digged by spirits ; and he adds, " I am almost inclined to believe it, for I cannot conceive how man can compass so wonderful a work." Some writers believe this well to have been the work of a more scientific people than any of the comparatively modern possessors of Egypt in other wo…

To complete this notice of wells, it may be added that in our own country, ac- " From the cording to Mr. Flint, ancient wells have been found. highest point on the Ohio, to St. Charles on the Missouri, and far up the Upper Mississippi and Missouri, the more the country is explored and peopled, and the more its surface is penetrated, not only are there more mounds brought to view, but more inconte…

The excessive labor and inconvenience of this practice, led to the formation of vast tanks for the collection of water, from which it might be conducted in open channels to the points proposed. In comparison with some of these tanks, our largest " In the Carnatic, reservoirs sink into insignificance. it is recorded, that there are tanks eight miles in length and three in breadth. In Bengal, they …

A long bamboo with a large weight of earth at the extremity, is fastened to the end of the Jantu next the river, and passing over the gallows before mentioned, poises up the Jantu full of water, and causes it to empty itself into the gutter. This machine raises the water three feet, but by placing a series of these one above another, it may be raised to any height, the water being plunged into sma…

puddled earth are made to receive the contributions of each bucket. The average lift of the Swape is seven feet, and by a series of these, one above the other, the water is finally delivered on the summit of the bank, thence to irrigate the vast plains beyond. The chain of pots is also seen side by side with the Swape, and is the more efficient mechanism, by delivering the water at once at the sum…

used now in an improved form on board ships of war. The ordinary pump, or sucking-pump, as it ^vas at first called, though evidently known to the Greeks and Romans, and used in their ships, does not seem to have been much employed by them for domestic purposes. It was not till the fifteenth and sixteenth century that pumps became common and superseded the more ancient devices for raising water an…

vacuum, and demonstrated that the rising of water in the chamber of the pump, was produced by atmospheric pressure. As human beings were aggregated into larger societies, and the progress of civilization and refinement produced new and artificial wants, all the known modes of obtaining water from wells, springs, fountains and rivers, were found insufficient, and it became an object to devise some …

that their aqueducts, such as those built by Pisistratus, at Athens, that at Megara, and the celebrated one of Polycrates, at Samos, mentioned by Herodotus, were rather conduits than ranges of buildings like the Roman aqueducts. But, at a period antecedent probably to the construction of these Grecian aqueducts, King Solomon, one thousand years before the Christian Era, appears by the accounts of…

These pools are three in a row, one over the other, and so disposed that the water of the uppermost may descend into the second, and from the second into the third. They are quadrangular, and of an equal breadth, viz., about 90 paces but in length they differ, the first being ; 160 paces, the second, 100, and the third, 220. All three are of a considerable depth, well walled and plastered, and …

" At about 140 paces from Solomon's pools, is the fountain from which principally they derive their waters. This the friars believe to be that sealed fountain to which the Holy Spouse is compared, [Cant. 4, 12,] and in confirmation of this opinion, they pretend a tradition, that Solomon shut up these springs and kept the door of them sealed with his signet, to the end that he might preserve the w…

You find here four places at which the waters rise from these separate sources ; it is conveyed by little rivulets into a kind of basin, and from thence is carried by a large subterranean passage down into the pools. In the way, before it reaches the pools, there is an aqueduct. of brick pipes which receives part of the stream, and carries it by many turnings and windings about the mountain to…

These stones are let into each other with a fillet, framed round about the cavity to prevent leakage, and united to each other with so firm a cement, that they will sometimes sooner break (though of a coarse kind of marble) than endure separation. This train of stones was covered, for its greater security, with a case of marble stones laid over it in very strong mortar. The whole work seems endued…

It here winds round the side of these hills, and is afterwards carried through the plains to Jerusalem, on a level with the surface of the ground. * * * little beyond this place, we came to the pools of Solomon, as they are commonly called, for there is a tradition that these were made by him, as well as the aqueduct, which seems to be confirmed by a passage in Josephus, who says there were plea…

The aqueduct is built on a foundation of stone, the water runs in round earthen pipes about 10 inches diameter, which are cased with two stones hewn so as to fit them, and they are covered over with rough stones well cemented together, and the whole so sunk in the ground on the sides of the hills, that in many is to be seen of it." places nothing It seems, however, to have been reserved for Rom…

Ducts of water according to Vitruvius, were of three kinds channels of masonry, leaden pipes, or tubes of fictile ware, according to the following rules when channels ; are used they should be made as solid as possible, and the bed of the stream should have a descent not less than half a foot in 100 feet, and they should be arched over, that the sun's rays may not touch the water. When the water …

This disposition is established, because by the tax on the water carried to private houses, the State keeps the aqueduct in repair. But, should mountains intervene between the city and the spring head, a subterranean passage is to be dug through the earth, having the declivity of one part in two hundred, and should the soil be either gravel or stone, a channel is to be cut into it, but walls are…

pipes are not to be less than ten Roman feet in length, and were named from the breadth of the lead before it was rounded into a pipe. The manner of conducting water by pipes is thus regulated ; if the spring head had a sufficient current to the city, and no higher hills intervened, the interval is, by walling, raised to a proper level, as mentioned in the description of channels of masonry, …

In the venter, also, columnarics. are to be raised, through which the force of the vapors may be dissipated. These columnariae are supposed to have been always open at the top, and to reach above the level of the aqueduct. It was not unusual, when the level from the spring head to the city was obtained, to erect a castellum at every 200 actus* distance, that if damage should happen at any place,…

But when it was required to conduct water at less expense, tubes of earthen-ware were made, having a thickness of not less than two inches, and these tubes were so formed that one end being tongued, the one entered the other then the joints were cemented with quick lime, tempered with oil. In the descents, level with the venter, a stone of the red kind is to be placed at the angles, so perforated…

Aqueducts of tubes have this advantage if any damage happen, any person may rectify it, and water from earthen tubes is far more wholesome than that from pipes, as the use of lead is found to be pernicious. We should not, therefore, conduct water in pipes of lead, if we would have it wholesome. The taste also of that from the tubes is better, as is proved by our daily meals ; for all persons, al…

of the under one, as a tenon into a mortice, or a box into the lid ; these pipes ought to be laid even with quick lime, quenched and dissolved in oil. The least level to carry and command water up hill from the descent is 100 feet, but if it be conveyed by one canal only, it may be forced to mount 240 feet. As touching the pipes by means whereof the water is to rise aloft, they ought to be of le…

From this description of the mode in which the Roman aqueducts were constructed, it is obvious that the principles and precautions, which, as is sometimes supposed modern science has discovered and applied to such structures, were known and used at that early day. The declivity given to the channel was indeed greater than that usual in more modern conduits, but in other respects, few or no improve…

Pipes of cast iron are now the only ones used for mains, or large distributing pipes. These may be made of almost any diameter, by duly increasing the quantity of metal contained in them. The largest pipes laid down in this city, are of three feet internal diameter, and in lengths of nine feet, weighing from 3,500 to 3,800 Ibs. The largest diameter of leaden pipes used by the Romans, was of 12 inc…

Or, boiled in a like vessel, and left to cool, if, when poured off, there shall be neither sand nor earth left at the bottom, it may be deemed good. Again, if vegetables boiled in it be rapidly cooked, it is an indication that the water is pure and wholesome."* For 441 years after the building of their city, the Romans were content to use the water furnished by the Tiber, (the yellow Tiber,t as H…

They were attended outside of the city by two lictors, two slaves, a secretary, Frontinus, on his appointment, very sensibly concluded, and other followers. " as he tells us at the outset of his treatise, that, considering in this as in other affairs of life, that the first thing was to know and understand what he had undertaken," he set himself about collecting and noting down in order, all that…

Owing to some intrigue, however, of Appius, Plautius resigned his station before the expiration of two years, and Appius alone, therefore, enjoyed the honor of giving his name to the aqueduct, and to another noble work, which, by prolonging his censorship unlawfully, and through various artifices, he was enabled to complete, the Via Appia, from Rome to Capua. The Aqua Appia had its source in the L…

The expense of this great work was defrayed out of the spoils of the Pyrrhic war. The Senate created Decemvirs to complete the aqueduct, naming Curius who had commenced it, and as his colleague, Fabius Flaccus. Curius died soon after the appointment, and the glory of terminating the work accrued to Fabius alone. The Anio Vetus began above Tivoli, at a distance of 20 miles from Rome, and before it …

and to ascertain if some new supply could not be obtained. This led to the construction of the Aqua Marcia, of which Pliny thus speaks : " Of all the waters in the world, that which we call the Marcia, in Rome, carrieth the greatest name by the general voice of its citizens, in regard both to its coldness and salubrity, and we may esteem this water for one of the greatest gifts the gods have be…

This water, the most wholesome of any conveyed to Rome, was drawn from springs, in the neighborhood of Subiaco, on the Anio, 20 miles above Tivoli, in the mountains. These sources were 36 miles from Rome, on the Yia Valeria. The whole length of its course was 60 miles and 710 paces, of which 54 miles 247 paces were subterraneous, the restbeing carried over arches as it approached the city. It is t…

Long ago," com- " we of Rome have lost the and plains this writer, pleasure commodity of those rills, through the ambition and avarice of some great men, who have turned away the waters from the city where they yielded a pu bl ic benefit to the commonwealth, and diverted them for their own profit and delight, into their manors and houses, to irrigate their gardens, and to other uses." Nineteen y…

After collecting a number of little tributary springs, at the distance of seven miles from the city, they flowed on towards Rome, each in its own channel, but over the same arches. The Julia was the highest, the Marcia the lowest of the three. About thirteen years afterwards, the same Agrippa brought to Rome the Aqua Virginis, so called from the circumstance, as related by Frontinus, that when s…

which, having followed up, they came to a copidus supply of water. In a little temple built on the spot, a picture is suspended, commemorating the event. The springs thus found were surrounded with a brick wall, and in their course augmented by several small streams, and the united waters were carried to Rome by an aqueduct of about fourteen miles, of which about three-fourths of a mile are above …

This was the water-course, afterwards adjusted by Trajan, into which he introduced a new stream from the lake Sabbatinus, now the Lago Bracciano, and then the name of Alsietina was changed to Sabbatina. It is now the Aqua Paola, and supplies the fountains of St. Peter's and the Vatican. Some remains of the original work of Augustus (as is most probable,) may be seen without the Porta S. Pancrazio,…

The source of the Aqua Claudia was from two fine springs called Cseruleus and Curtius, at a distance of thirty-eight miles from the city, on the Via Sublacensis, 300 paces within on a path to the left. The Aqua Claudia was next in quality to the Aqua Marcia. The whole length of this wonderful aqueduct was 46 miles and 406 paces, of which 36 miles and 210 paces were subterraneous the remaining 10 m…

Finally, to complete the account of Frontinus, the Anio Novus (also brought by Clau- It was, as the name dius) took its rise on the Via Sublacensis, at the 42d mile-stone. implies, a portion of the river Anio. This river, traversing a rich and highly cultivated region, was mixed in times of rain with a quantity of the soil. On this account a purifying piscina or reservoir was interposed between t…

Claudia, the Julia, the Tepula, and the Marcia ; the waters of all these five aqueducts could, however, be conducted to every part of the city. The Anio Vetus was in the sixth rank, as to level, though from the height of its source, it might have been conveyed to the loftiest parts of the city. The Aqua Virgo, and Aqua Appia, of which the sources were " The desert which * T7ie unpeopled Campagn…

At length when a dreadful succession of Lombards, Franks, and Saracens destroyed the houses, pavements, drains, crops, plantations, and cattle which had protected the Campagna from mephitism, it then returned to its own vicious propensity, for both the form of its surface and the order of its soil promote the stagnation of water." [Forsyth, p. &H ] 18 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. in the Campagna, were nec…

The Tiber itself, at Rome, was 91.5 feet above the level of the sea.* It appears from these statements of the elevation of the different conduits, that the earlierRomans conducted the water on lower levels than their successors, either from ignorance of the mode of ascertaining and preserving the exact level, or as a precaution whereby they were enabled the better to conceal the conduits, by bury…

A modern engineer who measured some of the remains of these buildings, in order to determine this point, states that he found the mean fall of the ancient aqueducts from the purifying piscinas, or reservoirs, to the point of distribution, to be about 1 in 663, and that from the source of the stream to these reservoirs, the mean fall was about 0.132 of an English inch to the Roman passus, equal to …

The piscinas or reservoirs, to which reference has been made, were placed at a certain distance from the city, and there the waters deposited their sediment, and there also the quantity of the supply was determined by a register ; six of the aqueducts were thus emptied into piscinas; three of these, the Julia, Marcia, and Tepula were conducted from the purifying reservoirs to the city, over the s…

Indeed, the Anio Vetus was rarely free from discoloration, but as it flowed on a low level it could not affect the other waters, but the Anio Novtis being of a lofty level and unfailing in its stream, was occasionally used, when the other aqueducts were falling off in their supply, to make good the deficiency, and hence all were more or less contaminated even the Marcia, which was the delight of…

He then caused the water from the Anio Novus to be drawn from the lake itself, instead of the river ; and either because the stream supplying this lake ran over a rocky bed, or that from the depth of the lake, the water was purified by depositing an earthy matter, it issued thence cool and bright, so as to equal in appearance and taste the Marcia, which it greatly surpassed in quantity. Nerva ca…

Virgo, 2,504 " Julia, 1,368 " 7008 Claudia, 4,607 17,567 17,567 quinariae 24,575 The quantity of the Alsietina is not given, but it was computed to deliver about 400 quinariae making altogether, 25,000 quinariae.* * The quinaria is equivalent to about 2000 cubic feet, of about 7 gallons each. 20 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. But of this immense abundance, not three-fifths, according to the public …

The distribution of the water along its course, as well as throughout the city, was regulated with scrupulous care. Besides the piscina limosa, or purify ing reservoir usually placed at the mouth of each aqueduct, there were frequent castella, or wells along the line, which both aided in the process of purification, and permitted water to be drawn occasionally along the route, for the irrigation o…

breadth, whose vaulted roof rests upon forty-eight immense pillars, disposed in rows, so as to form five aisles within the edifice, and sixty arches." The castellaMvere of three kinds, public, private, and domestic.}: The public castella which received the water of the aqueduct, were such as have already been described, and from them distribution was made 1st., to the Praetorian: camps 2d., to …

distributions, or extraordinary grants, to places or individuals. Castella Prlvata. When a number of individuals, living in the same neighborhood, had obtained a grant of water, they clubbed together and built a castellum^ into which the whole quantity allotted to them collectively, was transmitted from the castellum publicum. These were termed privata, though they belonged to the public, and wer…

But as even this permission opened a door for great abuses, from the fraudulent conduct of the aquarii, who damaged the ducts for the purpose of selling the aqua caduca, a remedy was sought by the institution of castella privata, and the public were henceforward forbidden to collect the aqua caduca, unless permission was given by special favor (beneficium) of the emperor. The right of water (jus a…

The smaller pipes which led from the main to the houses of private persons, were called punctoe ; those inserted by fraud into the duct itself, or into the main after it had left the castellum, fistula, illicitce. The erogatio was regulated by a tube called calix, of the diameter required, attached 22 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. to the extremity of each pipe where it entered the castellum ; it was pro…

On examination of the stream that issues from the hole, it will be found to taper off considerably at half an inch from the distance of half the diameter of the hole. If a short tube of the same diameter be inserted in the hole, the discharge of water will be greatly increased, and if at the distance of not more than two or three diameters, this tube should be made to flare gradually, or assume a …

short bent tube of brass or bronze, that formed the communication between the castellum and the leaden pipe for the supply of private houses, which pipe, by a Senate decree, was required to be of the same diameter as the calix, for the distance of fifty feet from the castellum.J The proportion in which the prodigal water of the Roman aqueducts was distributed, is given with great minuteness by Fr…

Lead was universally used for the supply-pipes from the castella, and notwithstandof health, we find in ing Vitruvius speaks of this metal as objectionable on the score Frontimis no allusion to any evil from its general employment. The liability of these gigantic works to injury and decay, especially in the portions above ground, is forcibly dwelt upon by Frontinus. The subterranean parts were ea…

Various causes of dilapidation are enumerated by our author ; the cupidity of individuals through whose lands the aqueducts passed, and who, for the sake of irrigation, or for domestic uses, were tempted to enlarge any holes through which the water (Aqua Caduca) oozed out ; the violence of tempests, the imperfection of the work, especially in the more modern structures, and the softness of the m…

every kind in the vicinity.* All work of repair, was however, as much as possible suspended in the summer season, as then the free use of the water was most needed and agreeable.t The spring and autumn were the working periods. Moreover, a moderate temperature was deemed advantageous, as permitting the masonry to be laid with the degree of humidity deemed essential to its perfection and ultimate …

These at first numbered 250 but at his death he bequeathed them to Augustus, who transferred them to the public. Claudius established another company of fountaineers, to about 460 persons, divided into differduring the erection of his aqueduct, amounting ent classes, and with distinct duties. There were the comptrollers, the keepers of the castellum, inspectors, paviours, stuccoers, and other w…

D. 535, Rome was besieged by the Goths under Vitiges, Procopius,l the historian of the Gothic war, records that fourteen streams flowed into the city. It was of course among the means employed by the barbarian invaders to induce submission, to cut off the accustomed supply of water, and Rome, in her 1289th year, and after enjoyof her fountains and aqueducts, was again ing for many centuries the l…

This barbarian interruption of these accustomed and hitherto unfailing streams, cutting off not only the luxuries of the baths, and of the fountains in all their daily and hourly uses for domestic purposes, in the gardens and the pools, necessarily changed at once the whole internal economy and arrangements of the city. Perhaps, among the causes which mark the final decay and fall of Rome, few …

Of the Anio Vetus, Frontinus merely relates, that it was built from the spoils taken from Pyrrhus and of the Marcia, he says, the Senate appropriated by decree. " Sestertium mille octingenties," equal in our money to $3,240,000. But whether this sum sufficed to complete the undertaking, or whether slaves or the soldiers were employed on such works } does not appear. Concerning all the other aqued…

It is also remarked by Frontinus, that so " admirable was the equity of our ancestors, that when on the line of an aqueduct, any owner of lands was unwilling to sell the portion required for the public work, the whole farm was bought by the State, and after taking what was requisite, the rest was resold."]: At subsequent periods, it would seem, from a Senate decree, to be presently noticed, tha…

In the earlier period of the aqueducts, all the water was for the use of the people, " that except what overflowed from the fountains or pools and it was expressly enacted, ; no private person should divert any water, other than that which overflowed." Even II this surplus of waste water was appropriated to baths, fullers, dyers, &c., and for it * Frontinus, p. 160. t Liv. xl., 51. t Frontin…

On the latter point particularly he states, that the Curule .ZEdiles were required to select two persons in each street from those who inhabited it, or owned property in it, who should determine where the public fountain, or hydrant should be placed. Another strong proof of the regard paid to the comfort and wants of the people, in respect of the use of the waters, is furnished by a Senate decre…

aqueducts are in other respects so copious, has left no record of the rate of this tax, of the principle on which it was assessed, or of its productiveness such a table at this period ; would have been both curious and instructive. A grant of water for private use was in all cases personal, and ceased with the life of the grantee. The residents of the same neighborhood united in building a priva…

Experience having proved, that frequently, when essential and speedy repairs were needed on portions of the aqueducts passing through private property, difficulties and delays arose from the opposition of the owners of the neighboring soil, to any passing through their lands, or deriving materials therefrom, for the work in hand, the Senate passed a law, declaring that as often as the aqueducts r…

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informer the other to go into the public treasury. j Another decree also forbids the sowing any grain, or cutting any hay, or feeding cattle, within the specified limits. The magnificence of the Romans, in these peculiar and most beneficial structures, was not confined to Rome, for few cities of any note in their extended dominions, appear to have been without one or more aqueducts. Among the mo…

The cement used in building the work is as hard as the stones themselves, and, such is the tenacity of that which coated the water channel, that where flakes of it of 100 feet in length have fallen from the wall, they lie unbroken. The conduit is 6 feet high within, and 4 feet wide, "arched to a point" says Stuart. At Ariana, about four miles from Tunis, other remains of this aqueduct are visible.…

Flattered by the attentions of the citizens, Agrippa made their city his place of residence, and he adorned it with new city walls and magnificent baths. Those who suppose that the object of the aqueduct was to conduct water to the amphitheatre only, instead of being appropriated to the domestic uses of the inhabitants, have not regarded with attention the peculiarities of its construction. The si…

To avoid this^it was brought from the mountains, excluding all communication with the waters of the country through which it passed, and where it became necessary to pass the deep valley in which the river Garden runs, it was conducted across that valley by a bridge of two stages of arcades, at a height of 150 feet above the ordinary level of the river, that is, measuring to the top of the second …

Although an adventitious addition, it is clearly Roman work, probably of a much later age. The length of this aqueduct, as far as discovered, is about six French leagues, or 15 miles, in a direction resembling a horse-shoe, and derives its water from the spring of Eure, and Airau, near the village of Uzes. The Pont du Garde is in the middle of its course the greater part of the ancient line can n…

The Pont du Garde, is that part of the aqueduct of Nismes which traverses the deep valley in which runs the Garden or Garde, between the mountains near Vers and St. Bennet. This considered even alone, is one of the grandest erections made by the part, Romans in Gaul. The first row of arcades, beneath which runs the Gardon, is composed of six arches ; the second row has eleven arches, and the th…

16 feet on the second, 10 feet on the third ; this forms a considerable offset on each stage ; the five piers of the first range of arcades were formed with salient angles or bees. The division of the arches on the first and second stories is the same ; the middle arch of the first range, under which the river passes, and which is the centre of the entire aqueduct, is70 feet in diameter thr…

As the two mountains forming the valley of Gardon are not of equal height at the points in the line of aqueduct, that on the left side of the river being lower than the level of the aqueduct, while the right side is more elevated, the conduit on one side is carried onwards by continuing the third range of arches, and on the other side, the range terminates in the side of the mountain. The Pon…

The inside facing of the walls, and the bottom hollowed in the form of an arc of a circle, were covered with a coat of cement about two inches in thickness, composed of quicklime, fine sand, and pulverised bricks. This cement is at the present day of a consistence equal to that of the hardest and most compact stone, and without the slightest crevice or flaw to be any where seen in it. This first c…

The aqueduct has been constructed with the same care throughout its great length, the only difference being that, in the parts exposed, the aqueduct was covered with slabs, and in the subterranean portion it was covered with a semi-circular arch, of a species of rubble roughly squared in the joints, nearly two feet in thickness. In examining the water channel, a strong concretion is observable, a…

the Duke de Rohan, in order to make a passage for his artillery, perforated the piers of and by some other operations directed to the same end, the Pont du the second arcade, Garde was rapidly falling to pieces. Considerable rents in the walls, and deviations from the perpendicular, exciting public attention, the provincial States took the matter into consideration, and by a series of judicious r…

The oldest, that erected by the troops of Marcus Antoninus, drew its waters by two branches, from the group of hills, called in modern times, Mont d'Or : this stream having been found inadequate for the proper supply of even the highest division of the city, a second aqueduct was constructed, which drew its water from the Loire. The third aqueduct was formed under, to conduct water to the highest …

The body of the work, that is, the arcades that carried the aqueduct across the valleys, is built of masses of rubble stone and cement, faced, as has been stated, with the opus reticulatum. In this instance, this kind of work is supposed to have been formed by laying a bottom of brick, of two, three, or four layers, then a caisson of wooden sides was applied to it,- and fixed thereon. The caisson…

One can conceive, says a learned antiquary, how a careful beating together of these materials had the effect of creating so binding a cement, since we know from our own practice, that puddling earth, fine gravel, and water together, form a lining for a canal, that becomes impervious to water when once settled, and it was probably from this puddling, and not from any secret as to the materials of t…

The utmost breadth of the piers of the aqueduct of Chaponost, which carried a canal of three feet broad, by six feet high, is not more than six feet, while the breadth of the aqueduct which passed over the river Baunan, arid which has no canal, is 24 feet broad, consisting of two piers, each five feet, supporting an arch 14 feet in diameter. M. Delorme,in his account, (Seance de 1'Academie, 1759,)…

Where smaller bridges would serve, and where they could carry the waters over a bridge by a rectilinear canal, they always built up bridges to that level, but where that would become too high, and yet where a bridge was necessary, they built bridges of a height sufficient to carry the water over in syphons of easy curvature. The sources of supply of the aqueduct of Mont de Pile, were from the wate…

The ninth is in a very deep and wide bottom, on the heights of Soncieu. The aqueduct, when it arrives at this bottom, is terminated with a reservoir at the south edge of the valley of the river Garon. The mode by which the water passed this profound chasm, was by causing it to flow from a reservoir on the one side, in leaden pipes^ bedded in the sides of the valley along part of the descent it the…

It emerges on the north, and flows over a bridge composed of ninety arches, of which more than sixty, in Delorme's time, were remaining. This was terminated by a reservoir, whence the water, in like manner as before, descended by pipes into another valley, and in part passed it and the river Baunan, over a bridge of a reversed curvature, and mounted again on the opposite side, there entering a sec…

and its descent from the bridge of the little Varizelle to the Fourviere, is 360 feet. Delorme next describes the nature of these reservoirs placed on each side of those valleys, across which the waters were passed in syphons over a bridge of reversed curvature. The one is for holding up, or receiving, and thence emitting, the waters which are to be conveyed in pipes, and the other is to receive …

manner, and were inserted in the wall of another receiving reservoir. This receiving reservoir differed from the emitting one only in this, that it held the waters flowing towards the bottom of its basin, and the emitting one poured them out from the upper part, about three feet from the bottom, so that while the water rose in the emitting reservoir to three or four feet, that in the receiving one…

In opposition to this opinion of Delorme, another eminent architect, who examined the aqueduct, thought that the receiving and emitting reservoirs had the same number of pipes, and that the nine pipes which proceeded from the one to the other, preserved the same dimension throughout. Delorme says that the water in the emitting reservoir, was higher by one foot than that in the receiving one but M…

The bottom of the canal had a coat of cement 6 inches thick, and a coat of 1 1-2 inches on the sides, which reduced the intervals between the walls to 21 inches. The angles were formed by the sides and bottom, rounded by cement. The walls were constructed with small rough stones, from 3 to 6 inches in thickness, laid in a bed of mortar, so that no void was left between the pieces. It would appear …

That on the bottom of the canal, is made of pieces as large as nuts, and in many places the size of eggs the composition was made with lime fresh slaked. ; That which contributed to make good cement, as well as good mortar, in their opinion, both in the one and the other, was the effectual mixing of the ingredients, so as that the mass should be all of the same temper, which is known when the c…

The entrance of the water into the aqueduct was regulated by a vane, or sliding valve, of a certain dimension, as only a certain quantity was allowed to flow into each branch. This does not appear ever to have exceeded 21 inches of elevation, which was sufficient to fill all the syphons ; without this precaution the volume of Avater, which might have risen to 4 feet, would have been too great. pr…

For an opening of 18 feet in height the width is 12 feet, and the piers 6 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 37 feet, sustaining a semi -circular ; when the inequality of the surface did not allow the piers to have an equal height of 18 feet to each opening, the piers were shortened, and the other parts remained of the same general dimensions. The piers of the arches in some places, are rather less on the face…

This kind of masonry was bound, at every four feet of its height, by two courses of "great bricks," each brick being 22 inches square, and two inches thick. The angles of the piers, formed of small square slabs of stone, offered, in many instances, an insufficient resistance to the lozenge masses which they terminated, and their displacement has been apparently the main cause of the ruin of the gr…

The valley between Soncieu and Chaponost is about 200 feet deep. Five ranges of arcades, placed one over the other, for a length of 2400 feet, conducted the water across the valley the valley through which ; the river d'Izeron flows, between Chaponost and St. Foi, is nearly 300 feet deep, and was crossed by a series of arcades having eight ranges in height. The third valley, formed by the small …

This reservoir, fourteen feet long by four and a half feet wide, is seven feet high to the summit ol its arch ; the walls are four and a half feet high to the springing of the arch, and two feet three inches thick. The arch is pierced in the centre by an opening two feet square, which serves as a passage into the reservoir. The bottom is lined with a coat of cement, six inches thick, with a curve…

the facing is of reticulated masonry, and being built with black and grey pieces, has much the appearance of a chess-board. However, these open ings having weakened too much the higher piers, the builders were under the necessity of strengthening some of them, by counter-forts of the same sort of masonry. Two arcades in the valley of Bannau fell in 1757, from this precaution not having been taken …

increase in the number of pipes being made on account of the valley being deeper than that of the Garon, and, as he thinks, as the pressure increases, while the depth is augmented, that the architects multiplied the number of syphons, to divide this force by diminishing their diameter in proportion a circumstance which, if accurate, would clearly decide that the difference between the weight and …

The emitting reservoirs had an opening at a height of four and a half feet above the level of the pavement, to turn, if required, the flowing water to the bottom of the tower, and to facilitate their cleanings and reparations. The great reservoir of the Maison Angelique, the bottom of which is now buried in the ground, was supported by a series of vaults, separated by partition walls two and a ha…

He had no knowledge of the reservoir discovered by Delorme, to which it is probable these pipes belonged, and in which they were used for distributing the water to the buildings and gardens of the palace of the Emperor Claudius. The aqueduct of Metz is another of the great works of the Romans, though of what precise date seems uncertain possibly of the period when the legions of Caesar held posses…

It has two branches which form an obtuse angle with the city. At the commencement of the angle it becomes a grand object. Its two rows of arcades rise majestically above each other, and the spectator is surprised at its gigantic height, and the It has stood 1600 years. lightness of its piers. Nor can we pass by the extensive works at Grenada, though of comparatively modern date, for supplying, w…

The fountain was in the centre of this magnificent court. Twelve lions support on their backs an alabaster basin, richly decorated, elevated above which was a smaller basin. A great volume of water rose through pipes into the upper basin, which fell into that below, and was thence conducted through the mouth of the lions, to a black marble reservoir, from which, as a fountain head, the water was d…

It is his business to keep them in good repair, and he is responsible for any accidents which may obstruct or diminish the supply. As no time is to be lost to repair injuries, this officer is clothed with great power, and he compels every one to assist in restoring the line of communication. This resembles the corvee of old France in some measure, but is much more oppressive ; for the 500 naziri …

sequestered dells, the traveller frequently comes suddenly upon one of these sculptured marble fountains, which adds just enough of ornament to embellish the rural scene. They are frequently decorated with inscriptions, setting forth the greatness and goodness of Providence, and inviting the weary traveller to make due acknowledgement for the same. Unlike our civilized ostentation, the name of the…

Four of these bendts were visited and examined, but there are several others which we did not see. A description of one of the largest will give an idea of the manner in which they are constructed. " A solid wall of marble masonry, eighty feet wide, and supported by two largs buttresses, rises to the height of a hundred arid thirty feet from the bottom of the valley, It is four hundred feet long,…

They both supply the aqueduct of Batchikeui, which, as has already been stated, furnishes the suburbs of Pera and Galata with water. Beyond Belgrade are other reservoirs which will be elsewhere noticed. These supply Constantinople proper, with water. " In order to a clear idea of the direction of these various convey hydraulic works, it may be advisable to follow each singly. Beyond Belgrade is a…

The precise epoch of the construction of this aqueduct is not known, although it is commonly attributed to the Emperor Justinian II. This aqueduct receives also water from two others, the principal of which is known under the name of Solyman. This is sixteen hundred feet long, and eighty feet high, and consists of two stories of fifty arches each. It is a Turkish work. Another aqueduct also conve…

" We will now return to the aqueduct of Batchikeui, and follow the direction of its waters. These are carefully brought round the heads of the valleys in covered canals, in which there are at certain intervals, sudden breaks or alterations in the level, which answer the double purpose of agitating the water in contact with air, and of precipitating its impurities. It likewise affords fountains on …

Notwithstanding all these expensive works, it sometimes happens, after long droughts, that the supply becomes scanty in the suburbs and ; during my residence here, I have known water to be sold at Pera and Galata at from two to six cents a pail-ful. This, however, never occurs in the city itself, which is abundantly supplied at all seasons of the year. " Where a be crossed, the Turks have resorte…

" They form a striking peculiarity in Turkish scenery, and it was some time before the principle upon which they were constructed was apparent. The water leaves the brow of a hill, and descending in earthen pipes rises in leaden or earthen ones, up one side of this pillar, to its former level, which must be, of course, the summit of the pillar, or sooteray, as it called by the Turks.* The water i…

The stone basin on the summit is covered with an iron plate, to prevent the birds from injuring the water. This is connected by a hinge, and, upon lifting it up, the basin is found to be divided into two parts by a stone partition. Several holes are made in this partition near its upper edge. The water from the ascending pipe is allowed by this means to settle its foreign impurities, and the surf…

As they are from three to five hundred yards apart, the cost is probably much less than by any plan which could be devised, where, in addition to the cost of a canal or series of pipes, we should be compelled to raise it again, by the expensive agency of steam or some other costly apparatus. The frequent exposure of the water to air and light at the summit of these sooterays, is another very impo…

" After a deliberate survey of the various hydraulic contrivances for supplying Conwith water, one is at a loss to know which to admire most, the native stantinople good sense which pointed out the necessity and importance of furnishing the capital and its suburbs with pure and wholesome water, the ingenuity displayed in conquering almost invincible obstacles, or that wise and liberal economy whi…

I went by chance into a house from which there was a descent into a cistern, and embarked in a little skiff on its waters. The master of the house having lighted torches, rowed us to and fro between the pillars, which lay very deep in the water. He was very intent upon catching fish, with which the cistern abounds, and speared some of them by the light of the torches. A faint light descends from t…

Walsh, whose travels in Turkey are so late as 183-, visited this subterranean reservoir, and confirms the account of Gyllius. Modern Rome is almost as bountifully supplied with water as the ancient city, notwithstanding the destruction or decay of the old aqueducts. But the Romans of this day are but a handful perhaps 150,000 to the populousness of the elder time; and this comparatively small num…

At this period, the three channels by which water of the restored conduit arrived at 46 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. Rome, were conducted into, and distributed from, a reservoir without any architectural ornament. Clement XII. began its decoration on the side of the modern Palais ^Conti, from the designs of Nicolo Salvi. This beautiful monument and masterpiece of its author, was finished under Benedict XI…

This water follows a course approaching to that of the Aqua Marcia and Aqua Claudia, but is on a lower level than either, as its sources are not so high up as the Anio. All the waters of which the Aqua Felice is composed, were united by Urban VII. in one immense reservoir, and several smaller ones, whence they were conducted into the conduit by an aperture named fistola urbana, formed in a block…

In 1694, the Cardinal Orsini, having proposed to the Papal government to bring water from the Lake Bracciano (anciently Alsietinus) to Rome, in the ancient channel of the Aqua Alsietina, the architect, Paglia, examined the levels, and stated that a sufficient quantity of water could be obtained and directed into the channel as projected by the Cardinal.Permission was accordingly given to the Orsin…

The Pope having directed new experiments and observations to be made, it was found that although the level of the lake was about one and a half palms above the surface of the ancient reservoir which fed the aqueduct, that this additional head was insufficient to produce the velocity to furnish the supply which was considered to be desirable. To obtain this velocity, a weir or dam was erected acros…

The quantity of water furnished by this aqueduct is estimated at about 94,184 cubic metres in twenty-four hours. Thus, from the three modern aqueducts not less than 180,500 cubic metres of water are daily introduced into Rome ; yet the want of cleanliness is remarkable in every street and corner of the city. The water is not conveyed by pipes into the upper floors of the houses, but into a common…

But although in their houses the modem Romans profit little by their abounding supply of water, in their public fountains they excel all other cities. We shall be excused for quoting the fino account of them, given by Eustace in his classical tour. FOUNTAINS. obelisks, we pass to the fountains, because they are generally employed in " From the the decoration of the same squares, and sometimes …

Such are in general the fountains and cascades that adorn public walks and palace gardens and such the so much celebrated water- ; works of St. Cloud, Marli, and Versailles inventions which can be considered only as pretty play -things, calculated, like a theatrical decoration to act an occasional part, and to furnish a momentary amusement, but too insignificant to be introduced into the resorts…

The number of these towers anciently, as well as of the towers springing from them, must have been prodigious, as Agrippa alone, if we may believe Pliny, erected one hundred and thirty of the former, and opened one hundred and five of the latter, and adorned them with three hundred brass and marble statues. The modern Romans, though inferior in numbers and opulence to their ancestors, have shown …

Alban, or rather Tusculan hills, and conveyed to Rome by channels under, and aqueducts above, ground, some of which are ancient, and some modern. It discharges itself through a rock, under an Ionic arcade built of white stone, and faced with marbfe. It is adorned by several gigantic statues, the principal of which represents Moses striking the rock whence the water issues. On the one side, Aar…

They then roll down the side of the mountain, turn several mills as they descend, and supply numberless reservoirs in the plain along the sides of the river, and even beyond it, in the Campus Martius. The lofty situation of this fountain, renders it a conspicuous object to all the opposite hills. The trees that line its sides, and wave to the eye through its arches, shed an unusual beauty around …

forth in torrents from all sides, roar down the clefts of the crag, and form a sea around its base. In the heats of summer, they overflow their usual limits, fill the whole marble concavity round the fountain, and rise to a level with the square, where, after sunset, the inhabitants of the neighboring streets assemble, to enjoy the united freshness of the waters and of the evening. " Such is the c…

In fine, it cannot be denied, that the superstructure is, in all three, too massive for the order, and too much encumbered with coats of arms and other supernumerary decorations. Yet, notwithstanding these faults, and they are not inconsiderable, while the spectator sits on the marble border of the basin, and contemplates the elevation of the columns, the magnitude of the edifices, the richness of…

length, and 178 high divided into three stages with numerous and long tunnels, lighted and ventilated from the depth of 250 feet, by conical shafts of 50 feet diameter at bottom, and four feet at top, and others of inferior note, we select for more special description and detail, the chief water works of England, and of France, and the magnificent aqueduct of Lisbon. London, like Rome, was already…

Clement's well, may be esteemed the principal, as most frequented, both by scholars from the schools, and youth from the city. when in a summer's evening they are disposed to take an airing." The antiquarian, Stowe, who published his " Survey of London," in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, gives this account of the source and supply of water to the city : " Anciently, until the Conqueror's time, a…

" The first cistern, castellated with stone in the citie of London, was called the great conduit in Westcheap, which was begun to be builded in the year 1235."* The water for this cistern was derived from Paddington, and ran a distance of 1100 rods, or about three and three quarter miles, through leaden pipes, this being the first record of such a mode of distribution. This not extensive work o…

An act of Parliament, in 1544, invested the mayor and commonalty of the city of London, with ample power " to enter into the grounds and possessions of the king, as well as every other person and persons, bodies politic and corporate, where they shall find or know any such springs to be, or may be found, (so that it be not under their houses, gardens, orchards, or places enclosed with stone, brick…

and vaults, and them to amend, repair, translate, and do all things necessary and convenient, as well for the finding of new springs, as for the conveyance of any water or springs now found, or hereafter to be found, to the city and suburbs aforesaid, without interruption, let, or impediment, of the owners of the ground, their lessees, assigns, or ministers, or any other person." All ground, howe…

Lambe's Conduit, was constructed at his own cost, by a gentleman of the name of Lambe, who belonged to the chapel royal of Henry VIIL, and who thus conferred great advantage on the populous neighborhood of Snow Hill. Numerous other conduits were established, from different spring heads, and at different times. These conduits were for the most part small, circular buildings, with a spacious basin w…

horseback, and having the diversion beforehand, of hunting the hare the ladies following in wagons, to partake in the sport and all assembling afterwards in the true spirit of corporation enjoyments, at a good dinner.* Like the Arabian fountains in the Alhambra, too, these conduits were made to promote moral instruction, by short sentences inscribed on them. We annex one or two specimens : Upon …

The desire of this convenience, and of a more abundant supply, led in 1581, the 23d of Queen Elizabeth, to a grant by the Lord Mayor and Commonalty, of a lease for 500 years, to a Dutchman named Peter Morice, who undertook, by machinery constructed under the first arch of London Bridge, to force water above its level, into a reservoir that should distribute it into the upper parts of the adjoining…

There were then three water wheels, each operating upon 16 pumps. The wheels and machinery were fixed in a strong frame of oak, that rose and fell with the tide, which, whether ebbing or flowing, imparted motion to the wheels. The whole yield of all the pumps was 1954 hogsheads per hour.* The lease and management of these works, continued in Morice's family till 1701, when, finding the profits di…

The disadvantage under which this company labored, in competition with the New River Company whose distribution was through iron pipes still The company, therefore, dragged feebly on, till the further diminished the returns. building of the New London Bridge, in 1822, entirely annihilated their works. The region they supplied is now furnished by the New River and the East London Water Works. By …

He immediately commenced the * A hoghshead is equal to 63 gallons. [Ep.J 54 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. work, and, by the aid of a loan from King James L, who stipulated that one rnoiety of the property should be conveyed to him for security, and triumphing over many obstacles from landholders, through whose possessions the river was to pass, and the greater obstacles arising from deficient skill in eng…

Owing to leakage, decay, and constant repairs, incident to such structures, they have been superseded by artificial mounds of earth and clay, preserving the natural flow and level of the river. The old Chronicler, Stowe, thus relates the rejoicings, on the occasion of first letting the water of the New River into the cisterns or reservoirs prepared for it. " Being brought to the intended cistern,…

"A troop of laborers to the number of sixty or more, well apparallelled, and wearing green Monmouth caps all alike, carried spades, shovels, pick-axes, and such like instruments of laborious employments, marching after drums twice or thrice about the cisterns, the mount, where the Lord Maior and worthy company stood presented themselves before to behold them, and one man in behalf of all the res…

The accomplishment of this noble and disinterested enterprise, has justly immortalized the name of Hugh Myddelton. The Goldsmith's Company, of which craft he was, has his portrait among the decorations of their Hall, and in the year 1800, Robert Mylue, Esq., the engineer of the Company who own the river which Myddelton lias taught to pour its salubrious stream into the heart of London, erected on …

The line of the river is very nearly thirty-four miles. More than one hundred and sixty bridges cross it- some of brick, some of iron, and some of wood. There are about sixty culverts that pass beneath its bed the various brooks and rivulets which it traverses in its course. The descent is about three inches to the mile. Both its depth and width vary the former seldom exceeding five feet, the latt…

enabled the Company to fill the cisterns in the basement stories of the houses they supplied. Hence, in 1810, resort was had to steam engines to throw the water up, and then a head was thus obtained 144 feet above the level of the Thames, and high for enough the loftiest houses. Another consequence of employing the steam engine, was the replacing the wooden tubes through which the water was first…

In addition to the supply from the New River, this company, in fulfilment of their contract with the London Bridge Water Works Company, have a steam engine of 100 horse power on the banks of the Thames, between Blackfriars and Southwark iron bridge, which, through a main 33 inches in diameter, extending into the river, can pump up 5000 hogsheads per hour ; so as in any contingency to ensure a s…

The cost of this work, with its improved filtering system, was about 70,000, or $350,000. The West Middlesex Works, after the lapse of nearly a century since the erection of the Chelsea Works, were completed in 1811. They are situated on the north bank of the Thames, near Hammersmith, and about nine and a half miles from London Bridge. The whole water is procured from the river by conduit pipes o…

The Grand Junction Water Company was authorised by act of Parliament, in 1798, but was not undertaken until 1811, when a subsidiary act having been passed, inthe persons who were corporating separately from the Grand Junction Canal Company, to construct the water works, the scheme, amid many difficulties, of which the chief was want of money, was carried out, and a sum of 312,000 was expended ther…

Their steam engines, two of 100 horse power each, are erected at Chelsea, between the Royal Hospital and the Chelsea Water Works. From mains laid into the channelway of the river, they pump up water into three spacious basins, at Paddington, each of different dimensions and elevations. The north reservoir, containing 153,465 hogsheads of water, is 91 feet 10 inches above high water mark of the Tha…

The capital at first deemed necessary was 100,000. Yet, within four years, nearly four times that amount was expended a fact more or less true of each of the other companies an'd " whether it be an upon which Matthews, in his Hydraulia, thus remarks : insurmountable difficulty to form a statement, which in the first instance shall approximate to the real cost of a great undertaking, is a prob…

In 1829, desiring to increase their supply of water, the company obtained an act of Parliament, granting them authority to draw water from Lea Bridge Mills, and to add 120,000 to their capital. The water supplied by these various works, is conveyed to the height of seventy feet by steam engines. About 45,000 houses are supplied with 170,000 barrels daily by this company, which has laid down be…

The Southwark Company supplies about 7,000 houses daily with 1,500,000 gallons of water, on a capital invested of 66,400. The Lambeth Company, whose works are situated in the Belvidere Road, a short distance from Waterloo Bridge, supplies some 16,000 houses with 1,500,000 gallons. This company has incurred considerable expense, by constructing reservoirs on Brixton Hill, one at an elevation of 15…

The water flows through this main into a reservoir in Kennington Lane, from which it percolates through a filtering bank, composed of layers of coarse and fine gravel and sand, prior to its entering into another reservoir, where it also remains some time, before it is passed into the well of the distributing steam engine. The supply of this company extends to 12,000 houses, and exceeds 5,000,000 …

They all have recourse to steam engines, to raise their supplies to a height sufficient for distribution. The large iron mains, which project out nearly half across the river in some instances, are laid upon the bottom ; a method that could only be resorted to with safety in a river where there is but boat and barge navigation, as is the case with the Thames above London Bridge otherwise, these …

pipes, which, on the first application of the pressure of the head of water, burst or leaked to such an extent, as to defeat, for a time, the whole enterprise, and ruin the projectors. The works, however, passed, into other hands iron pipes were substituted, and the town is now well supplied. Water Works of Edinburgh. These works were commenced in 1819, and completed in 1824, at a cost of 145,0…

one inch and a quarter in lengths of nine feet and formed by spigot find faucet, that is,the end of each pipe is widened, in order to receive within it the intrant end of the preceding pipe, which is called the spigot, the joints being then made tight, in the usual way, by a caulking of oakum or clay, and molten lead. The pipes were all proved by the forcing pump, before they were laid. The proc…

It is remarked in the account of the works from which we derive these particulars, " that the shaking of pipes by carting, effectually tries them for that of two similar parcels of pipes, equally well cast at first, that which has been carted twenty miles before itwas proved, will exhibit a greater number of defective pipes than that which has been proved at the manufactory. Hence pipes should al…

The population of Edinburgh and Leith, at the time these works were completed, was about 153,000, of whom those in the country parts, intervening between Edinburgh and Leith, and on the outskirts of both, derived water from wells, springs, and rivulets. The remarkable features of this aqueduct, are : First. A large and beautiful compensation reservoir, formed by constructing a vast mound, 450 fe…

This tunnel is 700 feet long, and passes under the reservoir (which, nevertheless, is supplied by a pipe from it, ascending on the outside of the rock.) at the depth of 120 feet, Glasgow, more populous than Edinburgh, is supplied by steam power from the waters of the Clyde. The peculiarity of the principal works of this city, for there are two the Glasgow works of which we are first to speak, a…

The pipes and frame were put together on the south side of the river, and the end of the pipe intended for the north side, was stopped with a plug, when a trench having been previously prepared to receive them, by the assistance of machinery, the flexible conduit, with its bed of wood, was hauled across the river, the moveable joints of the pipes, and the hinges of the frames allowing the whole ra…

This ingenious and useful contrivance was executed in 1810 but one main being found insufficient for the demand on the works, in 1818, another of 28 inches diameter, arid subsequently a third of 36 inches, was laid across the river. The two last conveyed filtered watered only."t There are six engines at Dalmarnock, which propel the water across the Clyde, which is there about 100 yards broad, int…

accordingly, to bring it across by iron pipes laid on the bottom of the river, protected by wooden frames against the risk of accident from the anchors of vessels. The project was rejected as impracticable or inexpedient. " Some " years after," says M. Gautier, when I had charge of the roads on the Rhone, and other works in Languedoc, while at Aries, I heard that a vessel had cast anchor in the R…

The conduit was soldered at the joints, six feet apart, by the same material, which made a swell at that distance. On each joint were these words in relief, C. CAINTIUS POI HINUS. P., apparently the name of the maker, or of the architect who laid down .the pipes in the time of the Romans. My project of laying pipes along the bottom of the Charente, would not have been half so difficult, PS it had …

A considerable quantity is also supplied to fountains, or hydrants, on the side-walks, and in the alleys, or closes. The Cranston Hill Works, made many and costly experiments, as to the best mode of filtering the water, which they, too, drew from the Clyde, and eventually so impaired the capital of the company, that in 1834 they were fain to sell out to the Glasgow Company. The experience thus de…

The number of inhabitants of Greenock is 25,000, receiving each two cubic feet, or about fourteen and one-tenth gallons daily. Paris will next occupy our attention and considering the skill in all departments of engineering, which on all hands is acknowledged to belong to the French, it is remarkable that their capital, and, as it is often called, and really considered, the capital of Europe, is …

Marie de Medicis, in 1613, the work was undertaken, and completed in 1624, occupying nearly 12 years. The architect was Jacques de Brasses, the same who furnished the design for the Louvre. The quantity of water, however, thus obtained, was so small as scarcely to compensate for the expense of the work. At subsequent periods, additional 64 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. this aqueduct, and the united streams…

John LintlcBr* proposed to Henry IY., the construction of a pumping machine in the Seine, to be set in motion by the flow of its current, and, being engaged to perform the work, he succeeded in raising the water above the Pont Neuf, and thence, in distributing it to the Louvre, and the Tuilleries. This machine, or pump, was called the Samaritan, from the metal figures which decorated it. The succe…

Girard was charged with the work. The water is taken from the Ourcq, at sixty miles from Paris. In its course, the canal receives the tribute of the Grisette, the Mai, the Therouanne, and the BeuvronneJ all which streams flow into its channel, which terminates in a spacious reservoir, near the Barrier de la Villette, This basin is about 3660 feet long, 366 broad, and 7 deep. Its banks are orname…

slope of the banks 1.50 base to 1 rise. The velocity of the water is calculated to be nearly thirteen inches a second, and the slope of the Canal about three and a half inches a mile. " It terminates in a From the south-west large basin near the Barriere of Villette. corner opens the St. Martin Canal, communicating with the Seine on the east side of Paris, and a short distance before coming to th…

Girard, the engineer, by a flight of steps from the cellar of a house where one of the guardians resided. " Convenient arched passages are constructed under three principal streets, where one may walk, and where are laid the different mains taking water from the aqueduct, to conduct it to the various fountains and other points for distribution. They are laid upon stone blocks or cast iron frames,…

In France it has been generally estimated at 19,195 litres (one inch) for 1,000 inhabitants. The Scotch engineers do not consider the supply complete at less lhan nine gallons a day for each individual in a city. If we compare the distribution of water in London with the population, the supply is at the jate of 20 gallons for each person. But there are no public fountains in that city, and the peo…

" Great inconvenience arises among engineers and hydraulicians, from the want of a standard unit, to denote the quantity of water flowing in a given time. The fountaineer's inch (pouce d> eau de fontainier) is used by all French writers upon the subject, though admitted by most of them to be very indefinite. It is perhaps sufficiently correct for practical purposes, but not adopted in philosophic…

pints, or 13.33 litres a minute, or 19,195 litres in 24 hours.' " The above are French measures. The litre is equivalent to 61,028 cubic inches ; hence the fountaineer's inch is 813 1-2 cubic inches a minute, or 678 cubic feet a day. Gallon, as used by English writers, is also a very ambiguous term, when applied to hydraulic discharges. The gallon which I employ in this report,= 231 cubic inches…

These take water gratuitously from fountains of the second class, from the Seine, or from the filtering establishments on the quay of the Celestins, sell it for 10 centimes the voire, or two pailfuls of water about two cents for four and a half gallons. In this manner the ; water-porters receive 1,405,252 francs, thus making the total sum of 4,266,756 francs, = $767,835, as before stated, paid a…

We conclude with the recent Artesian Well, on a large scale, in the plain of Grenelle, which is thus described : PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 67 THE ARTESIAN WELL AT GRENELLE, PARIS. " Artesian wells are so called from the probability that they were first constructed in Artois, although from the authority of several ancient writers, they appear to have been in use in the earliest ages. The Artesian well …

In this basin have been successively deposited the tertiary strata, in the centre of which Paris is situated. On a circular space bounded by the towns of Laon. Mantes, Blois, Sancerre, Nogent-sur-Seine, and Epernay, these strata appear at the surface, and conceal the chalk, but on the other side of the towns we have mentioned, the edge of the basin being passed, the chalk is found generally on the…

Beneath the marl and clay, the boring-rods had to perforate pure gravel, plastic clay, and finally chalk, which forms the bottom of the basin in which the tertiary strata have been deposited. No calculations or geological knowledge could determine the thickness of this stratum of chalk, which, from its powers of resistance might present a nearly insurmountable obstacle. The experience obtained in …

the water of the spring in question would necessarily rise to the surface, because, in the well at Elbeuf, which is nearly nine yards above the level of the sea, the water rises from twenty-seven to twenty-nine yards above the surface of the earth, and consequently from thirty-six to thirty-eight yards above the level of the ocean. Now, as the orifice at Grenelle is only thirty-four yards above th…

The size of the rods diminished in proportion to the depth, and as the subterranean water was not reached so soon as was expected, it became requisite five several times to enlarge the diameter of the bore, to admit of the work being successfully continued. Accidents occurred also, which tried the utmost patience of the projectors. In May, 1837, when the boring had extended to a depth of four hund…

In the course of a few hours the water rose to the surface and discharged itself at the rate of 600,000 gallons per hour. The depth attained was six hundred and two yards. The pipe by which the water reaches the surface has recently been carried to a height, nearly on a level with the source of supply. At present the water flows into a circular iron reservoir at the top of the scaffold, and it is …

" The opportunity of ascertaining the temperature of the earth at great depths was not neglected during the progress of the works at Grenelle. Thermometers placed at a depth of thirty yards in the wells of the Paris Observatory invariably stand at 53 Fahrenheit. In the well at Grenelle the thermometer was 74 at a depth of four hundred and forty-two yards, and at five hundred and fifty yards it st…

The aqueduct of Lisbon has been long admired for the excellence of its construction, and, in point of magnitude, is not inferior to any similar edifice which the ancients have left us. That part of it situated in the valley of Alcantara, about a mile from Lisbon, consists of thirty-five arches, by which the water is conveyed over a deep vale, formed by two opposite mountains. The dimensions of i…

ever, decrease by any regular progression, neither are the curves employed in the arches of one kind, fourteen of them being in the Gothic or pointed style the rest are semi-cir- ; cular, a variation adopted by the architect, Manuel dal Maga, from an apprehension, that making the five principal arches semi-circular, he would considerably add to the expense. In the rest of the edifice, much judg…

A continued passage runs through the centre of it, for the people who constantly attend to keep it in order, and a semi-circular channel or conduit of 13 inches diameter at each through which the water is conveyed. It is worthy of remark, that side, these channels are laid not in an inclined direction, as in other aqueducts, but horizontally to compensate for this, a small depression is made, at…

This munificent prince laid the foundation of it in 1713, and in thirteen years the whole was completed. The city of Lisbon, in testimony of gratitude raised an arch to his memory, bearing a flattering inscription, in the Latin tongue, importing that he had not only conferred wealth, glory, strength and peace on his kingdom, but that, overcoming nature as it were, he had introduced perennial wat…

the mode of construction, nor of the cost of this noble work, nor given any hint of the quantity of water brought into the city by it. The supply of this aqueduct is derived from the mountains of Cintra. Its course is between 8 and 9 miles, and it terminates in the city, in a Chateau d'Eau or Castellum, whence the waters are distributed to numerous fountains. Lisbon is built upon the slope of a …

of water carriers, of Spanish descent, and from their province of Gallicia, taking the name of Gallegos, effect the distribution of the bountiful outpouring of this noble aqueduct, and are to be seen at all hours of the day, toiling up the stone stairways of the loftiest houses, bearing on their head or shoulders, an earthen vase, containing almost a barrel of water. With this grandest of modern E…

Garcilasso, who was a Peruvian by the mother's side, and who wrote his Commentaries in 1560, records of Viracocha, the seventh Inca, that he constructed "an aqueduct, 12 feet in depth, and 120 leagues in length. The source of it was in springs on the top of a high mountain between Parca and Picuy, which were so plentiful, that at the very head of the conduit they seemed to be rivers. The current o…

fabrics, which have been the works of mighty princes, who have left their prodigious monuments of ostentation to be admired by future ages, for indeed, we ought to consider that these waters had their sources and beginning from vast high mountains, and were carried over craggy rocks and inaccessible passages ; and to make these ways plain, they had no help of instruments forged of steel or iron, …

The conduit of water which passes through all the divisions of Cuntisuya, I have seen in the province of Qaiechuas, which is part of that division, and considered it an extraordinary work, indeed surpassing the description and report which had been made of it. 72 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. But the Spaniards, who were aliens and strangers, little regarded the convenience of these works, either to serve t…

" The largest and finest construction of the Indians in this way, is the aqueduct of the city of Tezcuco. We still perceive the traces of a great mound, constructed to heighten the level of the water. How must we admire the industry and activity displayed by the ancient Mexicans and Peruvians, in the irrigation of arid lands. In the maritime parts of Peru, I have seen the remains of walls, along …

"'I have had various opportunities,' says a recent traveller, 'of closely examining one of these canals, which is formed at the source of the river Sana, on the right bank, and extends along a distance of 15 leagues, without reckoning sinuosities, and which consequently supplied a large population, particularly one city, whose ruins still remain in the vicinity of a farm named Cojal.' " These aq…

" It is probably one of these fountains that now supplies the Hospital de Naturales ; its pipesare buried under the earth, and cannot be traced, and, as in the time of the Peruvian historian, its sources are unknown. At Lanasca, there is also a fountain supplied through subterranean conduits, the source of which has never been traced. Many of these great works became useless after the conquest…

" There appeared on that side," says De Solis, " two or three rows of pipes, made of trees hollowed, supported by an aqueduct of lime and stone, and the enemy had cast up some trenches to cover the avenue to it. But the two Captains marched out of Tacuba with most of their troops, and though they met with a very obstinate resistance, they drove the enemy from their post, and broke the pipes and a…

" Along one of the causeways that lead into the city, are laid two pipes, constructed of masonry, each of which is two feet in width and about five feet in height. An abundant supply of excellent water, forming a volume equal in bulk to the human body, is conveyed by one of the pipes, and distributed about the city, where it is used by the inhabitants for drinking, and other purposes. The other p…

under the bridges, on which the reservoirs are placed, and men stationed above fill them with water, for which service they receive a suitable compensation." We are indebted for this translation to Mr. Folsom, the Librarian of the New York Historical Society ; who is preparing for the press a complete English version of Cortes' Letters. " Chronicle of New Spain" was published Gomara, the Chapla…

De Sol is, the historian of the Conquest of Mexico, speaking of the magnificence of Montezuma, and of his works, thus refers to the waters and aqueducts of the city : " In all these gardens and pleasure houses, he had many fountains of sweet and wholesome water, conveyed from the neighboring mountains, by different canals as far as the causeys, whence in covered pipes, it was introduced into the…

After this he gave orders for a very thick wall, with two open canals, made of stone and lime, of which one was always in use when the other required cleaning. A building extremely useful and Montezuma valued hmiself so much upon the ; invention, that he ordered his own effigies and that of his father, which bore a pretty near * Cronica c"e la Nueva-Espana, por Francisco Lopez de Gomara; Madrid…

" The water," says our author, " was conveyed with many superstitious ceremonies, some of the priests offering incense, others sacrificing quails, and anointing the lip or border of the aqueduct with blood ; others sounding musical instruments, and otherwise solemnising the arrival of the water. The high priest wore the same habit with which they represented Chalclichuitlical, goddess of the wate…

The sides were of smooth stones about four feet high, and the roof was made by stones lapping over like the corridors of the buildings. At a short distance from tha entrance, the passage turned to the left, and at a distance of 160 feet it was completely blocked up by the ruins of the roof which had fallen in. What was its direction beyond, it was impossible to determine, but it certainly did not …

Within it, is laid the canal, about eighteen inches wide, twenty-four deep, and three miles long. It commences at the bottom of the lofty conical peak of the Corcovado, where the waters flowing from that mountain, are collected into a covered reservoir, and thence conveyed into the canal. Their course from the summit is through deep and shady woods, and the canal is defended from the sunbeams, an…

The first water works were commenced in 1799, (the year in which the Manhattan Company was incorporated for supplying New- York with water,) and consisted of forcing pumps, worked by steam engines, which raised the water from the Schuylkill into a reservoir, constructed at an elevation of fifty feet on the banks of the river, from which it was conveyed to the city in wooden pipes. In 1811 the city…

in 1819, a contract wasmade with Capt. Ariel Cooly, for damming the Schuylkill. For the sum of $150,000, he undertook to throw a dam of sufficient height across the river to create the requisite head of water, to construct the locks and canal for the accommodation of the navigation, to build the head arches of the race-way for the water power, and to excavate the race out of the solid rock. The wh…

necessary to excavate to the width of one hundred and forty feet, to form a race as a site for the mill houses running parallel with the river. The length of the mill race is four hundred and nineteen feet, the greatest depth of excavation sixty feet, and the least sixteen feet. The gunpowder used, alone cost the contractors upwards $ 12,000. At the upper part of this excavation were erected the h…

The race is about ninety feet in width, and is furnished with water through the head arches, which allow a passage of water sixty-eight feet in breadth, and six feet in depth, to which the race is excavated below the overfall of the dam, and of course, room is allowed for a continual passage of four hundred and eighty square feet of water these ; arches are on the north of the race, and the mill…

Those now in use, are kept warm by means of two large iron stoves, heated to great advantage and economy with Schuylkill and Lehigh coal. It has been from the commencement determined, for the present, to erect only three wheels and pumps, which are now completed, and with them the most important parts of the duty of the committee. The first of the wheels is fifteen feet in diameter and fifteen fe…

The third wheel went into operation on the 24th December, 1822, and is of the same size as the second, and works under the same head and fall, making thirteen revolutions in a minute with a five feet stroke of the pump, and raises one and a half million gallons of water in twenty-four hours. It is not doubted that the second wheel can be made to raise an equal quantity, thus making the whole suppl…

They are double forcing pumps and are connected, each of them, to an iron main of sixteen inches diameter, which is carried along the bottom of the race to the rock at the foot of Fairmount, and thence up the bank into the new reservoir. At the end of the pipe there is a stop-cock, which is closed when needful for any purpose. The shortest of these mains is two hundred and eighty-four feet long th…

The actual consumption of water in Philadelphia, is stated at 2,000,000 " when the streets are washed." gallons in winter, and 3,000,000 in summer, PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 79 The distribution of the water from Fairmount, is by two iron mains of 20 inches diameter, to the junction of Chestnut and Broad Streets ; and thence by intersecting pipes through various parts of the city ; superceding the woo…

This edifice, which is appropriated to the machinery for raising water, has its foundation laid deep and strong in the rock which, at this place, forms the bed of the Ohio. Its walls, commencing about ten feet above low water mark, are built of limestone. They are eight feet thick at the foundation, diminishing gradually to a height of thirty-five feet, where they are five feet thick. Here the br…

The water is carried through cast iron pipes, under the bed of Deer creek, to the intersection of Broadway and Third street, where it is distributed along all the principal streets, through pipes of oak logs with iron joints. About twenty-four miles of pipe have been already laid, and they are constantly extended as rapidly as public convenience and patronage require. The price of water varies acc…

Satement of the Condition of the Water Works, on the 15th of December, 1840. There are now in the city, Wooden pipes, from 1 to 2 5 inches in diameter, 19 miles. Iron pipes, from 4 to 20 inches in diameter, - - 4 " - Making in all, 23J There have been laid since the purchase of the works by the city, Wooden pipes of 2 inches diameter, ----- 3,337 feet, " Iron pipes of 4 to 10 inches diamete…

It is at once seen, that although the original cost of logs is much cheaper than iron, yet the repairs of such logs cost as much as the first cost of iron pipes of double the capacity ; as regards economy, therefore, there can be but one opinion, and that is in favor of good iron pipes. Another from the use of logs, which is severely felt in the upper part of the city, is disadvantage the impossi…

They suffered formerly at Philadelphia in the same manner as ourselves, when at one time they had six lines of wooden pipes leading their water to the city, which they finally abandoned, and substituted iron pipes of large diameter. " There have been discontinued since the city came into possession of the water works of wooden pipes, seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-one feet. Of this amo…

But the large average supply (so greatly beyond the wants of the citizens) is owing to the innumerable leaks from the wooden pipes, which it is impossible principally to discover, as the water descends into the gravel and into the numerous sink holes, so common on the upper plane of the city. "As the iron pipes are substituted, this waste will diminish, and I have no doubt, when the wooden pipes …

had some few years ago, surveyed the ground between Boston and the Long Pond, distant about ten miles from the city, and reported a plan quite feasible, and, considering the advantages promised, of reasonable cost, by which a perpetual and abundant supply to the whole city, could be derived from that source and delivered at a sufficient elevation, to supply the upper stories of the houses. Absorbe…

The stream selected for the purpose of supplying the citizens, is the Piskawin Creek, and the distributing reservoir is placed on its margin, about one third of a mile east of the city, and at an elevation of 100 feet above tide, and about 73 feet above the plain upon which most of the city buildings 82 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. are erected. The reservoir will hold about 1,900,000 gallons ; and the mi…

Providence, in Rhode Island, is partially supplied by an aqueduct, but on no very extensive scale. Richmond, the capital of Virginia, derives water from the James river by works planned by Mr. Albert Stein, who was among the engineers originally employed to survey the courses of, and make estimates for, the Croton Aqueduct. An engine house 56 feet long and 58 wide, built of stone, on the banks of…

Before the declaration of independence, considerable expenditures had been made in order to satisfy this want. In July, 1774, the proposal of Christopher Colles, to erect a reservoir and to convey water through the several streets of the City, after having been sometime before the Common Council, was finally adopted and ordered to be carried into effect. The scheme of Mr. Colles, was simply that …

The quality of the water proving satisfactory, on the 25th of August, the former resolution of the Board accepting the proposals of Mr. Colles was confirmed, and Treasury notes to the amount of 2,500, were ordered to be issued to meet the expense. 86 MEMOIR OF THE Notes to that amount were, accordingly, issued of the following denominations : 4000 of six pence each 100 4000 of four shillings ea…

rpH IS NOTE shall entitle the BEARER to the Sum of TWO SHILLINGS, current Money of the Colony of New- York, payable on DEMAND, by the MAYOR, ALDERMEN, and COMMONALTY of the City of New-York, at the Office of Chamberlain of the said City, pursuant to a Vote of the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, of this Date. Dated the Twenty-fifth Day of August, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Se…

Peter Jay's land, and runs thence along the same, south, fifty-three degrees, east six chains and twenty links to a meadow, thence along the meadow, south sixteen degrees and thirty minutes, west two chains and seventy-seven links, thence north fifty-three degrees, west seven chains and twelve links to Great George Street aforesaid, thence along the east side thereof north thirty-seven degrees an…

At that period, Governor Tryon ruled over the Colony, and among his other prero- It may not be without gatives was that of appointing the Maydr and Sheriff of the City. interest at this day, to see who then were the fathers of the City. They were for 1775, WHITEHEAD HICKS, Mayor. JOHN WATTS, Jr., Esq., Recorder. Francis Filkins, Benjamin Huggett, Benjamin Bragge, Theophilus Hardenbroek, ^ Assi…

Scarcely, however, had peace returned, with Liberty and National Independence achieved, than our citizens again busied themselves about good water. In April, 1785, Samuel Ogden made proposals to the Corporation for erecting and establishing Water Works to supply the City. In January, 1786, proposals for a like object were presented by the Hon. R. R. Livingston and John Lawrence, Esq. Both projects…

Ordered, further, That the Aldermen and Assistants, be requested to set on foot, in their respective Wards, representations to this Board, in writing, and subscribed by the citizens, in order, more fully, to ascertain their sense, whether the Corporation ought to grant to individuals, the privilege of supplying the City with water, or whether the same ought to be undertaken by the Corporation, and…

ing for a patent for his discovery, and that when completed, they would make proposals to the Board, for a contract for furnishing the city of New York with water. The Board adopted a resolution expressive of their desire to encourage Mr. Rumsey's invention, and to enter into a contract for the supply of the city with water, and inviting proposals, to the end, that if approved, the necessary prepa…

Next month, January, 1797, sealed proposals for supplying the city by means of pipes, were advertised for, and in May, some seven or eight different applications were received ; among them, one from Christopher Colles, who had undertaken the work in 1774. These were all referred to a committee. In December, of next year, 1798, we find R. J. Roosevelt, and Judge Cooper, of Otsego, making new applic…

Weston, who has been the engineer of the Canal companies in this State, and whose abilities are well known, be requested to examine that river, with the situation of the grounds to be employed in the aqueduct, and such other matters incident to the supply of the city with pure and wholesome water from that or any other source, as he may think proper, and that he be requested to report his opinion …

Under this impression, and to avoid any further delays which may arise, unless measures are taken to prevent pecuniary embarrassments, and other difficulties in the course of the business, your Committee would recommend, That, an act be prepared and presented to the Legislature, investing the Corporation with the powers necessary to effect the great end they have in view, and granting them the mon…

Weston accepted the appointment, and in March, 1799, made a favorable report on the practicability and sufficiency of the supply from the Bronx river, as recommended by Dr. Brown, the way seemed clear for at once undertaking the work. The memorial of Dr. Brown, argued the question on the score of health, safety, and comfort. The yellow fever had made great ravages in the city, and Dr. Brown, who …

" The large stagnating, filthy pond, commonly called the Collect, which now is, or soon will be, the centre of the city, has been looked to by some people, as a fund from whence an adequate supply might be obtained, by means of a steam engine, for all the purposes already spoken of. I cannot undertake to say, that this source would at present be incompetent to all the preceding purposes, for which…

And again, supposing the pond to contain and furnish enough, it is a consideration well deserving attention, whether a pond, into which the filth from many of the streets must, without very great expense and care, be constantly discharged, and to which the contents of vaults, &c., will continually drain, is a desirable source from whence we should like to take water for drinking, cooking, &c., wit…

92 MEMOIROFTHE and if it can be made satisfactorily to appear, that the required supply can be obtained from this source, I am ready to allow that it is a work, that would be soonest accomp] ish ed, and attended with the least expense. But we ought to be extremely cautious in hazarding an experiment, where the cost would be so great, and the event so doubtful. The question is of infinite importan…

I am sensible that we should not too hastily conclude that the above is the total amount of the supply that may be derived from this source ; I think it very probable, that from the nature of the surrounding ground, (which is a coarseand porous gravel,) a considerable portion thereof, may percolate through, into the adjacent rivers. Much, and perhaps the greatest quantity, is also daily drawn off…

However grateful this may be to our feelings, it does not follow that it is equally conducive to healthfor whatever degree ; of purity it may now possess, the period is not very remote, when from the natural increase of the city, these springs must be subject to those contaminations which have already rendered so many wells unfit for use, an evil that is daily increasing, and to which no effectu…

"About half a mile below Williams' Bridge, over the Bronx, is a piece of low meadow ground, in which rise two springs, one of which runs easterly and empties itself into the Bronx, and not more than four hundred yards from its origin. The other spring empties itself into the Harlem river, traversing a distance of about six miles. The place on which those springs originate, are not more than fiv…

The spring to which he alludes, is the Morrissania creek. The point at which the work was to commence is fifty feet above tide, and the City Hall was the old building in Wall-street. He also says : "When I first interested myself on this subject, I was in hopes a place sufficiently high might have been found, from whence the waters of the Bronx could have been conducted to New York, in pipes …

Now as the ground in the city of New York, to which water ought to be conveyed to a principal reservoir, is about forty feet above high tide, which is ten feet only below the level of the river Bronx, where it may be diverted, I consider it a fall perfectly inadequate to any design of conveying the water in a line of pipes it then becomes ne- ; cessary, that the water of the Bronx should be ele…

This was to be delivered into a reservoir at the Dove, a public house about ' the 24 hours. five miles from the city, and thence conveyed by pipes, to a distributing reservoir to be constructed in the Park, or some, then open ground, north of the Hospital, 94 MEMOIROFTHE Mr. Weston's plan was to take the water of the Bronx river, at Lorillard's snuff factory, to raise a dam six feet high, whi…

He " It says, appears from examinations that have been recently made, that the Bronx is sufficiently elevated above the highest parts of the city to introduce its waters therein without the use of machinery, and the intermediate ground, though very irregular, presents no obstacles which art and industry may not surmount." He also says, " An absolute necessity to preserve a regular and uniform de…

The water was to be brought in an open canal to the Harlem river that stream was to be crossed ; by a cast iron cylinder of two feet diameter, with a descent of eight feet. His reservoirs were to be divided into three parts, and two of them again subdivided. The first two divisions he called the reception apartments, which were to be filled with the water from the cylinders while one was filling…

Weston offered no estimates of the cost of the work he recommended, but urged very earnestly, that no time should be lost in securing, at any rate, the right to use the Bronx fiver, Avhich then might, as he supposed, be had for a reasonable compensation ; but which from the great advantages for manufacturing purposes that it offered, and its proximity to the city, he argued would rise very much i…

These views of private interest and speculation, were aided by the real difficulty, which intelligent and practical men apprehended, in raising the money needed for such an undertaking as the introduction of the Bronx river into the city, and hence with that of Aaron Burr, we see associated the names of Alexander Hamilton, Gulian Verplanck, John Murray, and others, in remonstrance to the Common Co…

Burr, called on him, and stated to him, in presence of the Recorder, who was also requested to attend for the purpose, that great difficulties had arisen in the minds of members of the Legislature, touching the power requested to be vested in their Board, by the bill for supplying the city with water, and the bill for investing the Board with adequate powers in relation to the health of the city, …

Board a paper without signature, which he stated to the Board he had received from Major General Hamilton, as the proposition for their consideration this day, which being read Resolved, that before the Board proceed upon the said propositions, they ought to be * Mr. Burr was then one of the members of Assembly from this city, and was employing the influence of his station, and all the address …

New- York, February 26, 1799. DEAR SIR I last night received your letter, dated yesterday the resolutions of the- : ; Common Council discover a mistake as to the character under which the gentlemen named in them, made their communication to yourself and the Recorder. They did not pretend to appear in an official capacity, but intended to be considered merely as private individuals. As such they …

The conveyance of water in pipes through every part of this city, as well for the more convenient cleaning and washing of streets, alleys and lanes, as for the supply of the inhabitants. Then follow four other provisions as to draining low grounds, filling up slips, &c. As to the first point, the plan proposed by the Corporation is, that the business shall be executed by the Corporation for their …

Computing its annual amount at $30,000, if granted for 20 years, which is as much as can be hoped, it would be equal only to a capital of $344,097, 60, interest at 6 per cent, CROTONAdUEDUCT. 97 But it is hardly to be expected that money can be borrowed at so low a rate. How far short will this be of the sum probably requisite ? This cannot be safely estimated at less than a million of dollars, …

It is not to be doubted, that it will promote the convenience of the citizens, and secure the final success of the object, to let in the aid of a capital to be created by the voluntary contributions of individuals. This may be obtained on a plan like the following : Let a company be incorporated, of all those who shall subscribe to the fund, with a capital not exceeding a million of dollars, to b…

The residue of this paper, which is signed Alexander Hamilton, relates to the health laws, &c. After the communication was read, the Board came to the following determination : Whereas, By the Report of a Joint Committee from this Board, from the Chamber of Commerce, and from the Medical Society, with the Commissioners of the Health Office, dated 14th January last, a variety of regulations and i…

arisen to the said bills, upon the ground, that a Company would be best adapted to the business of supplying the city with water, &c. Resolved, That this Board is truly anxious that the measures recommended by the said Joint Committee, and every other measure which may promote the health and welfare of the city, be pursued in the way that may be most likely to secure these important ends ; and a…

Resolved, That a copy of the above resolutions, under the Common Seal, together with the papers and proceedings of the Board, relating to the subject, be transmitted to such members of the Board as are at present in the Legislature. This seems to have removed the chief obstacle to the success of Mr. Burr's plan for obtaining a charter for the Manhattan Company. The sequel may be best told by agai…

Whereas, By an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed 2d April, inst, entitled an act, for supplying the city of New York with pure and wholesome " it is water, among other things enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New York, to subscribe to the stock of the President and Directors of the Manhattan Company, any number of…

Ordered, That a copy of this resolution, with the Common Seal affixed and subscribed by Mr. Mayor, on behalf of the Board, be delivered to the Treasurer or Chamberlain. Ordered, That a loan of $5000 be made of the Bank of New- York, and that a bond for the payment thereof, with interest at 6 per cent., be made with the Common Seal affixed and subscribed by Mr. Mayor on behalf of this Board. - Th…

Although privileged by their charter to go over the whole island of New York, and into West Chester County, to seek for good water, the Company contented themselves with sinking a large well at the corner of Duane and Cross-streets, in one of the city, and thence pumped up that which they called most thickly settled portions of the pure and wholesome water, but which was necessarily most impure. …

"From that period up to the year 1816, the whole subject was apparently lost sight of, notwithstanding that for several of the intervening years, the growth of the city was more rapid, and its prosperity, and increase in wealth, more obvious than ever before. In 1812, the causes of dissatisfaction between this country and Great Britain, which had long been gathering strength and irritation, result…

Golden being- Mayor, a memorial from Robert Macomb was presented, for permission to supply the city with water for all domestic purposes, and asking the appointment of a committee and one was appointed to confer with him. Early in the ensuing spring, the committee reported that they had repeated conferences with Mr. Macomb, and being satisfied that he and his associates had the requisite means to…

Resolved, That Robert Macomb, and his associates, shall bind themselves and their successors, in a contract with the Common Council, to transfer at any time when required, after the expiration of 40 years from the completion of the water works, all right and interest therein, to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city, for which, they shall receive the cost of constructing the said water- …

Stevens, that there be inserted in the contract, a clause regulating the price at which water is to be furnished to the citzens and the public. The scheme of Mr. Macomb and associates, was to bring the water from Rye pond, and they professed their ability to complete the work in two years, without any compensation or aid from the Common Council, asking only the privilege of laying down the pipes a…

Carrol, who had examined the Rye pond and the Bronx river, at various sites, and particularly at its junction with Mill Brook, where, according to the plan of Mr. R. Macomb, it is to be diverted, carried through Mill Brook, thence through a deep cutting to the valley of the Morrisania Creek, and so, to Macomb's Dam. The water to be taken from the Bronx, at an elevation of 52 feet, the requisite ad…

Next year, a new set of schemes seems to have been started, one was to bring the Housatonic river to New York in an open canal, as well for purposes of commerce, as for supplying water to the city, and an act of incorporation was obtained by some citizens of Connecticut, for this enterprise. This project, however, soon gave way to that of constructing a canal to the city from Sharon, in Connecti…

granted to the applicants, took care, while reserving a right to subscribe for a portion of the stock, to guard themselves against any obligation to do so. They at the same time, in the bill accompanying the memorial, sought to provide a fund, on the faith of which they might borrow such sums as they should subscribe, by asking authority to raise, for that purpose, 1-2 of 1 per cent, on sales at …

river, and passing through the towns of Paulding, Patterson, and south-east to Crawford's Mills on the east branch of the Croton, making a distance of forty miles. From Crawford's Mills, the route by an undulating course, requiring the construction of two tunnels, one 1,320 yards in length, and the second 1,760 yards, reached Macomb's dam, at an elevation of 97 feet above tide ; the length of t…

White presented various plans and estimates, some for an open canal to Macomb's dam, and thence the water to be raised by means of the water power furnished by the dam to the requisite elevation on the New York shore ; another, for taking the water of the Bronx at the higher elevation of the Westchester cotton factory pond, and conducting it in an arched tunnel of masonry to the Harlem river, and …

CROTON AQUEDUCT. tion of 244,000, much beyond that then contained in the city of New York, would be accommodated. Notwithstanding the expense which the city had incurred by these preliminary surveys and estimates, no farther action seems to have been taken in the matter, for on 17th January, 1825, we find the Recorder presenting to the Common Council a resolution for enquiring into the expediency…

Canvass White was employed by the Company as Engineer, and in his report to the directors, recommended that the Bronx river be the source, and that the water, being taken at Underbill's Bridge, would yield a daily supply of 9,100,000 gallons, at an expense for the whole construction, of $1,450,000. They were to be conveyed in an arched conduit of masonry to Harlem river, and thence across the rive…

104 MEMOIR OF THE Common Council, in March 1826, was directed to inquire whether " water of the best quality, and in quantity sufficient to supply the wants of the city, cannot be obtained from wells sunk, or to be sunk, on Harlem heights." This led to the incorporation by the next Legislature, in 1827, of a fourth company, called the New- York Well Company. The water was to be procured on the is…

Disbrow proposed to supply the city by an Artesian well and reservoir in each ward. But, inasmuch as the product of these wells is limited, even supposing, what is by no means certain, that the multiplication of them at different levels would not diminish the supply, and drain the sources of the more shallow to the deeper perforations, it seemed obvious that the cost of such an enterprise, taken i…

And in consequence, a report made by Alderman Samuel Stevens, in favor of the establishment of a well and reservoir in Fourteenth-street, whence water might be distributed, was accepted and acted upon. In that Report, Mr. Stevens says : Various Institutions have been chartered for the purpose of bringing water into the city, but none have as yet evercomplied with the main object of their charter,…

The result is, that all that part of the city lying above Grandstreet on Broadway, or Pearl-street on the east side of the city, has not the use of the Manhattan water for the purpose of extinguishing fires. It has therefore become absolutely necessary for the Corporation, in some manner, to give to the upper part of the city, a supply of water for that purpose. The breadth of the island at Grand-…

Now to provide for the section of the city between Fourteenth and Grandstreets on Broadway, and Fourteenth and Pearl-streets on Chatham-street, on the east side of the city, by cisterns, would require the construction of at least 60 additional cisterns, supposing that each thousand feet square required a cistern, and if we estimate them at $600 each, (including expenses of assessments,) it will ma…

A rise, or additional head at Fourteenth-street, (as a starting point,) of three feet, would give the necessary head to make the water flow over the surface of the highest streets in the city, and would give an excess of head over four-fifths of the section of the city referred to, of at least fifteen feet. But as a reservoir would be necessary to hold the supply of water, an additional head of 20…

The distance of these two lines will be about 12,000 feet, or 2 miles and the aggregate expense of tubes, laying down, and ; $500 for plugs or hydrants, will amount to $24,500. The expense of a wooden reservoir containing 2000 hogsheads, (equal to twenty cisterns,) it is estimated would not exceed $1500, making in all $26,000. -It is believed that the power of a single horse will be sufficient t…

for theimmense and immediate advantages in cases of fire derived from this reservoir, impressed more vividly upon the public mind the far greater advantages that would result from having a river at command. Early in 1830, we find a motion made in the Common Council, to apply to the Legislature for all needful power to supply^he city with water, and to create two millions of stock to defray the co…

To bring the water of the Passaic, taken above the falls at Paterson, New Jersey and to cross the Hudson by iron pipes laid on the bottom of the river to cost $1,932,000. 4th. A plan of his own, of which the particulars are not given, but which seems to look to wells and springs, on Manhattan Island the cost $792,000. A communication was received, in September, from Benjamin Wright, having the…

Resolved, That the Counsel of the Board, prepare a memorial to the Legislature, setting forth the wants of the city, in relation to a full and ample supply of water, as necessary for the safety of the city against fire, and to be of a pure and wholesome quality, as necessary for the preservation of the health and lives of our fellow-citizens, and further setting forth, that the Manhattan Company, …

This was followed by a petition from numerous brewers, complaining of the impure and noxious qualities of the Manhattan water of which this analysis, made in 1831, by the chemist, Chilton, furnishes abundant proof : ANALYSIS OF THE MANHATTAN WATER. The sample was obtained from the pump at the works before its entrance into the cistern, sp. gr. 1011. One wine quart was slowly evaporated to dryness…

Townsend presented a report from the Lyceum of Natural History, in New York, in answer to queries addressed to that Society, relative to the probable supply and quality of water which Manhattan Island might furnish. As a disposition then existed in some quarters, and perhaps even still lingers, to rely upon the water and wells of the island, the facts and reasonings of the Report (drawn Up, we bel…

Weaccordingly find that all the water in the city contains these, and occasionally other ingredients. For the following analysis of pump waters in various parts of the city, the Committee are indebted to one of its members. When it is recollected that the hardest spring water seldom contains so much as one thousandth part of its weight of any foreign body in solution, it would seem that the term, …

CROTON AQUEDUCT. Carb. Lime and Magnes., 1 25 Extractive Matter and Loss, 75 Total, 7 No. 3. A pint yielded 4 50 grains composed of Mur. Soda, 1 Mur. Magnes., - 2 Carb. Lime, 1 Sulph. Lime and Extractive, 50 - - Total, 4 50 No. 4. A pint yielded about 4 grains composed of Mur. Lime. Mag. and Extractive, 1 80 Mur. Soda, - - Sulph. Lime, Carb. Lime, - - 1 Total, 4 05 No. 5. Containe…

From accurate data, these obstacles to the transmission of water from the surface, by dwellings and pavements, are estimated to carry off into the river nearly one half of the water which falls from the atmosphere. In the neighborhood of large open squares, it is consequently observed that the wells are more pure, but they must sooner or later partake of the same deterioration. The water in the im…

ingly find this to be the case. Until within the last few years, the water on the elevated ground in Broadway, was considered to be the best in the city. In the progress of improvement, this water is now hard and unpalatable. Indeed, we know of families living above Broome-street, in Broadway, who are now supplied throughout the year by watew carts from the country and in the direction of Laurens-…

Although the fastidious may revolt from the use of water thus sweetened to our palate, it is perhaps fortunate that this mixture is daily taking place, for otherwise the water of this city would become, in a much shorter space of time than it actually does, utterly unfit for domestic purposes. We cannot take leave of this part of the subject without adverting to the various and contradictory opini…

This may be tested by allowing it to stand until it has acquired the ordinary summer temperature its various ingredients become ; then manifest, palpable. These impurities are not caused by the additional heat they ; exist at all times in the water ; their presence is only disguised for the moment by its coldness, and its injurious properties are in no wise diminished. Your inquiry as to the e…

From all which has been previously stated, you will learn that it is the unanimous opinion of the committee, that no adequate supply of good or wholesome water can be obtained on this Island, for the wants of a large and rapidly increasing city like New York. The various perforations which have been made, in the absence of all other proof, would sufficiently establish this position. These have be…

Independently of the uncertainty both as to the quantity and quality of the water which might thus be obtained, the multiplication of wells and steam engines that would be required to produce the supply needed estimated at 4,000,000 gallons, daily was a decisive objection. The Artesian well of the Manhattan Company, at Thirteenth-street, which is considered as a very successful experiment, yields …

Three plans were suggested : an open canal, an arched brick tunnel, and iron pipes. The first is condemned, because of the impurities, which, in its course it would be liable to gather ; and upon the whole, the preference is given to the arched tunnel, which, according to an estimate of Canvass White, might be constructed, of five feet diameter, for $31,174 per mile, making the whole cost, from t…

The machinery for lifting, and the reservoirs on Harlem heights, which were to be 120 feet above tide, were to cost $50,000 more. And the three lines of twelve inch iron pipe, calculated to convey 2,000,000 gallons daily (an adequate supply for the then population), were to cost $10,000 MEMOIR OF THE per mile each. The distance from the receiving reservoir at Harlem to that at Thirteenth-street, …

Your Committee are of opinion that the expense of this undertaking, the advantages of which will be lasting and permanent in their character, should be provided for by a loan, and they view the present or coming season as one at which this money can be procured at a low rate of interest, probably not to exceed four per cent., redeemable in It would be well secured, as due from a city whose taxabl…

Now if we estimate that we can charge each house, on an average, four dollars, we have $140,000, nearly double the whole interest. If it should be thought that four dollars is too much for some houses, it may be remarked, that several families, in limited circumstances, generally reside in one house, and that this being the case, the landlord might well afford to pay four dollars per annum but as…

The New River establishment at London charges all dwellings at the rate of five per cent. on the rent of the same, which appears to be a good criterion to regulate the charge, and this rate would produce a revenue to the city. The committee also suggest that the superintendence and execution of the work they propose, requiring, as it would, uniformity and steadiness of views, and close attention…

The bill thus sent, did not become a law, owing to the unwillingness of the Legislature to authorise the raising of such a sum of money, until it should be satisfactorily ascertained that the object in view, both as to the quantity and quality of water, could be accomplished by the expenditure proposed. The project, however, was too far advanced, and the city was too much committed, to draw back.…

Resolved, That Colonel De Witt Clinton be requested and authorised to proceed and examine the continuation of the route from Chatterton Hill, near White plains, to Croton River, or such other sources in that vicinity from which he may suppose that an inexhaustible supply of pure and wholesome water for the city of New- York may be obtained; also, his opinion of the best mode of conducting the same…

114 MEMOIR OF THE The great inducements stated in the Report, for resorting to the Croton, are, the purity of its waters, their unfailing abundance for any possible population in the city, and the elevation of their bed, which would give a sufficient head to convey them to the distributing reservoir in the city, at a height sufficient for all purposes of supplying the loftiest dwellings, and of …

He also feared that in such a crooked line as the work would be obliged to follow, the angles of the masonry would be weak, while the velocity of the water, by reason of the crooks in the channel, would be much retarded. Recurring to the apprehended impurity of an open canal, the Report thus reasons : " Many persons have suggested that the water in the open canal, by its passage through it, wou…

There are also several subterraneous passages under roads one is two hundred yards long. At Islington the ; canal is fourteen and a half feet wide, and four and a half feet deep. From the New River head reservoir, which is fifty-eight feet above the River Thames, the water is raised thirty-five feet by steam engines, into two reservoirs. One is situated near Pentonville, and the other near Totte…

Wright, then Street Commissioner of the city, explored a route from Macomb's Dam to the Bronx river, with the expectation of being able to bring the water of that river to the dam, at an elevation of 120 feet above tide. This was found to be impracticable; the waters of the Bronx, the Rye Ponds and Wampus Pond were guaged, and the ground between them and the Harlem river examined, and the conclusi…

Chilton, Ackerly and Griscom, which showed it to be of remarkable purity, not containing more than two grains of foreign matter in a gallon. With these various plans before them, the Common Council received a report from their Committees of fire and water, on 24th December, which, without passing judgment upon any of the projects, recommended, "inasmuch as enough has been ascertained for the sati…

and make reports of their proceedings both to the Common Council and the Legislature. This report was adopted by the Common Council, and an application in conformity therewith, was immediately made to the Legislature. The Legislature, on the 26th of February, did pass the act, to be in force one year. The Commissioners were to report the result of their examination, both to the Common Council and …

This report may be considered as having determined the long mooted question of the source of supply, and through all variations of opinion afterwards, Major Douglass adhered unfalteringly to the conviction, that the Croton, and the Croton only, should be looked to and relied on.Like the Roman Marcius, of whom we have spoken in the Preliminary Essay, who, when the Decemvirs and Sybils indicated the…

The Engineers were also instructed to designate the best and most feasible route for conducting the water, the most fit and proper manner for constructing the conduits and reservoirs, the probable amount of damage that would be sustained by the proprietors of the water to be taken, and of the land it might be necessary to occupy in constructing the required conduits and reservoirs, together with …

38th street, was a little more than 43 miles the height above tide, at which the water would stand in the latter reservoir was 117 feet, with a minimum daily supply of about 16,000,000 gallons of running water, and 11,000,000 gallons obtainable from stored water and at a cost of four and a half millions of dollars for the whole. The Hudson river route was traced wholly along the undulating side o…

expand, would back up and check the velocity of the approaching current without any sensible revulsion upon the sides of the aqueduct : but in a close pipe, having such a depression as would be necessary in the present instance, say 130 feet below the head, the action upon the sides of the pipe, would be about 601bs. to the inch. The water being also confined laterally, any impediment would necess…

The principle of the work was, that the water of the Croton should be taken at such height above tide, as to afford a sufficient head to force it across the Harlem river, and to deliver it at the distributing reservoir in the city, at an elevation equal to the supply of the loftiest edifices. The engineer contents himself with having established the practicability of delivering the Croton into th…

port, are among the number of these springs ; many of them 3 or 400 acres in extent, and one as large as a thousand acres. All these ponds are surrounded by clear upland shores, without any intermixture of marsh ; and the surrounding country, cultivated as it is generally, in grazing farms, presents an aspect of more than ordinary cleanness. The water, as might be expected under such circumstanc…

It appears from his report annexed, that the quantity of saline matter, probably the salts of lime and magnesia, does not exceed two and eight-tenths grains in the gallon a quantity, he observes, so small, that a considerable quantity of the water would ; be necessary to determine the proportions. About two grains of vegetable matter were also suspended in the water, in consequence of the rapid…

Upon calculating this power, however, itwas found incapable of raising more than 5,000,000 gallons daily, and as this would leave a deficit, even for present purposes when the work should be finished, of two or three millions of gallons a day, it was thought unnecessary to pursue the examination of that route. Another line commencing at Popham's Calico Factory, was carefully surveyed. By rebuildi…

decrease of 957,500 gallons in the volume of the pond ; showing that, during the time observed, the supplies of the pond, from whatever quarter they come, were in quantity about 7,000 gallons per day less than the evaporation. By damming the valley, about three-fourths of a mile below the small pond, so as to back up the water to three feet above the ordinary level of the upper pond, a reservoir …

A small additional supply is doubtless obtainable from Byram river, if it were not necessary, in availing of it, to resort to the territory as well as the waters of another State. The running supply of the Bronx was ascertained on the 4th and 5th of September. It was necessary to repeat the guaging several times in order to separate the accidental flow of the mills from the regular discharge of t…

and the expense of the project. With the information in the possession of the Corporation, should they decide to carry the project into effect, the first and second considerations may safely be left to the judgement of those who shall be selected to superintend and direct the operations. The difficulties to be encountered, are much less in the opinion of the Commissioners, than those which have be…

Thus encouraged and stimulated, the Common Council resolved to proceed in earnest, and the Manhattan Company joining in the general impulse, made a proposition to the Common Council for the sale to it, of all their immunities, rights and privileges of every kind, relative to supplying the city with pure water, and of all the property, steam engines, pipes and hydraulic works, of every sort emp…

The law of the preceding year, authorising the appointment of Commissioners having expired, itbecame necessary to renew it, and accordingly on the 2nd May, the Legislature passed an act embracing this object, and that of the Common Council, for authority to raise money. As this act lies at the foundation of the noble enterprise of which we are recording the progress and. accomplishment, it is give…

The said Commissioners shall have power to employ engineers, surveyors, and such other persons as, in their opinion, may be necessary to enable them to perform their duties under this act. 4 The said Commissioners shall adopt such plan as, in their opinion, may be most advantageous for procuring such supply of water and shall ascertain, as nearly as may ; be, what amount of money may be necessa…

The said Commissioners shall make a report of their proceedings, under the foregoing sections of this act, containing a full statement and description of the plan adopted by them an estimate of the expense thereof, together with an estimate of the ; probable amount of revenue to accrue to the city, upon the completion of the work with ; the reasons and calculations upon which their opinions and…

said election shall provide a ballot box, with suitable lock and key, and the electors shall express their assent or refusal to allow the Common Council to proceed in raising the money necessary to construct the works as aforesaid, by depositing their ballots in the box provided for that purpose in their respective wards. And those electors who are in favor of granting the necessary power to the C…

to time, and in such amounts as they may think fit, a sum not exceeding two million five hundred thousand dollars, by the creation of a public fund or stock, to be called, " The Water Stock of the City of New-York," which shall bear an interest not exceeding five per cent, per annum, and shall be redeemable at a period of time not less than ten, nor more than fifty years, from and after the passag…

The moneys to be raised by virtue of this act, shall be applied and expended to and for the purpose of supplying the city of New- York with pure and wholesome water, according to the plan so adopted and ratified, with such immaterial alterations as may be necessary, and by and under the direction of the said Commissioners. 12. The said Commissioners are hereby authorized to enter upon any land…

In case of disagreement between the Commissioners and the owner of any property which may be required for the said purposes, or aifected by any operation connected therewith, as to the amount of compensation to be paid to such owner, or in case any such owner shall be an infant, a married woman, or insane, or absent from this state, the Vice Chancellor of the first circuit may, upon the applica…

If any person shall wilfully do, or cause to be done, any act, whereby any work, materials, or property whatsoever, erected or used, or hereafter to be erected or used, within the city of New York, or elsewhere, by the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, or by any person acting under their authority, for the purpose of procuring or keeping a supply of water, shall in any manner be injured, su…

All sealed proposals for contracts shall be for a sum certain as to the price to be paid or received and no proposition, which is not thus definite and certain, or which ; contains any alternative, condition, or limitation as to price, shall be received or acted upon. 21. No more than one proposition shall be received from anyone person for the same contract, and all the propositions of the per…

Comptroller of the city for any sum in favor of, and to be paid to, the owner of any lands, water streams, or property acquired by virtiie of this act, and in favor of, and to be paid to, any contractor, for any sum due upon his contract, and also for their incidental expenses. Such drafts shall specify the objects for which they are drawn, in the manner provided in the seventeenth section of this…

They shall also require the Comptroller to report to them a list of all the payments made by him, upon the orders of the Commissioners, once in every six months, and previous to such reports, shall have the accounts of the Commissioners and of the Comptroller examined by the Finance Committee of the Board of Aldermen. The Governor and Senate re-appointed the same Commissioners, and on the 19th of…

124 MEMOIR OF THE furt her to perform their duties, under the above act, and to make another report to the Common Council, which report shall specify as near as may be, the probable supply of water which can be obtained within the county ; also for paying the necessary expenses of the Commissioners in the performance of their duties under the act. The Commissioners entered zealously on their dut…

To the Honorable the Common Council of the City of New York : The Water Commissioners appointed under the Act of the Legislature of this State, supplying the City of New York with pure and wholesome water," " An Act for entitled, passed the 2d. of May, 1834, respectfully REPORT: That the undersigned were appointed Commissioners, under an Act of the Legisla- " An Act for the appointment of Co…

Whether a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome water could be obtained for present and all future purposes. 2d. The practicability of its introduction into the city, at an elevation that would preclude the use of machinery. And 3d. The total cost of completing the projected work. It will be seen, as they think, by a reference to their report of November, 1833, that they have conclusively s…

mon Council of this city, on or before the first day of January, 1836, The Commissioners have presumed, however, that a paramount object of their reappointment was a close and thorough re-examination, under such additional lights as time and further reflection may have produced, of the plans they have proposed, and of the estimates they have entered into, extending their inquiries to any new matt…

the Croton may not be introduced from some different head, or by some other method, and at a much less cost, than that estimated in the report of 1833. On the 31st of December, 1833, something more than a month after we had presented our report to the Common Council, Mr. D. S. Rhodes addressed a communication to the Board of Aldermen, proposing, for one million seven hundred thousand dollars, to i…

introduce sixteen million of gallons into the city of New York, at an elevation of 125 feet above low water, (see Corporation Document, No.54 ;) he presented another communication on the 6th of January, 1834, objecting to the plan proposed by our engineer in " that the most serious 1833, for conducting the waters of the Croton to the city, stating, objection he has to urge against the plan is, th…

Rhodes addressed a letter to the Chairman of the Commissioners, in which he says, " The natural abutments and high hills MEMOIR OF THE near the Quaker Bridge, will give an elevation of 200 feet above the tide, if required. The canal to Sleepy Hollow will be on a level with the dam, which gives us the same head at Sleepy Hollow as we have at the dam. By my plan we arrive at Sleepy Hollow, travelli…

Rhodes or by the Common Council, that the Commissioners should place much reliance upon the plans and propositions of a gentleman, .who appears to have given the subject but a very superficial consideration at most. How he is to convey either six or sixteen millions of gallons of water from the mouth of the Croton, in accordance with his first proposition, and at an elevation of 125 feet above low…

When he states that the water can be delivered .in the city, at an elevation of 125 feet, while his fountain is only of that height ; that the pipes will rise gradually until they pass Sing Sing, which, in effect, would be making water run uphill, and that he will deliver six million of gallons of wawhen the lowest calculation for laying a line of 30 inch ter, in iron pipes, for $1,700,000, cost…

By his communication of the 18th April, 1834, he makes a total change in his projects, and states that he will build a dam about four miles above the Quaker Bridge, of 32 feet in height, and from thence conduct the water by an open canal of 10 feet bottom, 34 feet top, and 8 feet deep, to the height near Harlem River. His first proposition was, to take the water from the mouth of the river; secon…

of large dimensions, subject, as it would be, to the numberless casualties incident to such constructions, besides being the receptacle of much filth in its long passage, the wash of the country, and the dissolving of the mineral and other substances combined with the earth through which it passes. The complaint raised in London against the water of the New River, is "that being an open canal, it …

their examination, had it not been their opinion that the Common Council would expect some notice of a proposition that offered to effect the important object of supplying this city with pure and wholesome water, at a cost two-thirds less than that estimated by our engineer, in his report of 1833. They have, therefore, deemed it their duty to ascertain by actual survey, whether a dam may not be ra…

verts, and reservoirs, required to deliver the water on a declivity of fifteen inches to the mile, to a receiving reservoir on the high grounds near Harlem river, and from thence across said river to another reservoir of sufficient elevation, near Manhattan ville, (should he be of opinion that these reservoirs will be necessary,) then to a distributing reservoir three or four miles from the City H…

Cartwright, Esq., a civil engineer, residing at the village of Sing Sing, and who possesses much local knowledge of the Croton and its vicinity, to run levels on both sides of said river, starting from Garretson's mill, at aheight of thirty-eight feet, and carrying his levels up until they loose themselves at the surface of the water, in order to ascertain what quantity of land would be overflowed…

It was no doubt this opinion which, in 1826, induced the application to the Legislature, by several of our citizens, for an act of incorporation. This act was passed on the 18th of April. 1826, and is entitled "An act to incorporate the New- York and Harlem Spring Water Company." Anson G. Phelps and James Renwick, Esquires, and their associates, are declared a body corporate for the purpose of sup…

There was a well under the operation of boring, near Yorkville, on the day the Commissioners made their examination. The augur had penetrated 90 feet from the surface of the earth, and no water was produced, and it was intended to descend fifty feet in addition, if found necessary. Several of the wells on Harlem flats were found to average from sixteen to eighteen feet in depth, and to contain fro…

The Commissioners were also informed, that in excavating this canal, which sunk several feet below tide, the wells in the vicinity were deprived of water. The fact is, as the Commissioners think, that the same principle in respect to the obtaining of fresh water, operates in every part of our island, namely, that the earth becomes so saturated, at a depth on a level with the tide on the East and N…

Their example ought, surely, to have some weight with us, when making up an opinion on this subject. To suppose that they would expend millions of money to procure water from a distant source, or to raise it from their rivers by powerful machinery, when at the same time they could obtain a sufficient supply, and as good an article, at a comparatively trifling expense, by sinking wells within the b…

There were only seven of the city wells which yielded soft water, occasionally used for washing, and from thirty-three of them the water was obtained by deep boring. "Within a few years, (says the report,) it has become common in Boston, and the vicinity, to bore for water, and to make what is called Artesian wells. But no certain or valuable result has grown out of these endeavors. I cannot find …

On the 27th of October, 1834, the Board of Aldermen referred to the Commissioners a communication from John Hunter, in which he states that he has matured a plan, by which an abundant supply of water may be obtained, on very reasonable terms that he ; proposed applying to the Legislature for a charter, and if the Common Council would consent to the application, and render such facilities for its …

This was declined on our part, on the principle that the Commissioners were bound to report to the Common Council any and all the information they possessed on the subject of supplying this city with water, and they could not therefore receive any communication under the injunction of secrecy. On the 8th of November, Mr. Hunter, in accordance with a previous arrangement, met the Commissioners at t…

He states that he " will now develope a part of the plan, and then make a proposition to carry it into effect, not expecting that it would be accepted without a full development, but merely to bring the subject to a tangible point." He then proposes to deliver a sufficient supply of pure water for all present purposes, " in a permanent aqueduct, ot sufficient capacity, at the base of Harlem height…

Hunter, as he states, " would embrace all the water the engineers show in their surveys and reports, or, in fact, all surface or running water of the county of West Chester." "That the whole can be completed within four years from the time it is commenced, and a partial supply may be had in a shorter time, and before the whole is completed." This is the substance of the information communicated t…

If deemed necessary to build a lock in the centre, or channel of the river, it would add to the expense from one to two hundred thousand dollars more. The advantages to be derived, Mr. Seymour states, will be, 1st. That the waters of the Hudson, coming from the high lands around the Sacondagoand Mohawk rivers, are the purest in the United States. 2d. That a hydraulic power equal to thirty thous…

Seymour made a further communication, in which he states, that the grounds upon which he desires to be understood, are, that his estimate is predicated on the supposition that he is at liberty to select the site of the dam, to build the coffer-dam as he may desire, and the lock or locks of such dimensions as he may deem necessary for the useful navigation of the Hudson river. That he will build th…

The powers delegated to the Commissioners, and to the Common Council of this city, by the act of 2d of May, 1834, cannot extend to a project which contemplates erecting a dam in the Hudson river, beyond the boundary line of the State of New York. It is true, the act makes it the duty of the Commissioners to examine and consider all matters relative to the supply of this city with pure and wholesom…

Now, although the Commissioners have no reason to doubt that the waters of the upper Hudson are perfectly pure, and that by building a water-tight dam across the river, from this city to the shores of New Jersey, the salt water will be ejected, and the fresh will take its place above the dam, yet we fear, that, in locking vessels up, more or less of the salt water below the dam will follow them, a…

It must be conceded, as the Commissioners think, that the building of the proposed dam would be an obstruction of more or less magnitude to the navigation of the river; for although a vessel may be locked through in 10 or 15 minutes, as asserted by Mr. Seymour, still, if we revert to the great number of vessels passing and repassing the proposed site of the dam, it can hardly be otherwise, but tha…

and mud is not less than 40 or 50 feet deep. The width of the river is more than a mile across, and whether a dam of sufficient solidity and strength can be erected in a river of this width, and with a current running at the rate of the Hudson, and capable of withstanding the pressure of the immense body of water that would be behind it when the tide is down, are questions the Commissioners are no…

covering of ice for three months in the year, we should think the cutting off so much of the navigation would produce more injury than the privilege of proceeding to Albany on the ice, or of procuring a supply of that article for the use of those who require it, would produce benefits. 7th. The shad fishery on the Hudson is considered of much importance to those who follow the business, as well a…

To raise the dam higher, appears to be out of the question, as it would not only destroy all the wharf and store property of the city, above the dam, but would also destroy so much land as to occasion the damage claims alone, a reason for abandoning the project. He thinks the advantages calculated on by the proposer of the plan, if they could be trebled, would not compensate for the injury to the …

The elevated situation of the Croton will allow the artizan to make it applicable and certain to give a copious supply of water without hazard The plan proposed, he says, could not be effected but at an expense of more than four millions of dollars. It would still be insufficient for a permanent water power. It would destroy the navigation, and it would not benefit the shoals near Albany he is of…

As in a subsequent part of this Memoir, we shall have occasion to detail with some minuteness, the particulars, on all these heads, of the route finally adopted and perfected, our readers will feel that analagous details here would be superfluous. Suffice it here to say, that upon striking an average of the various estimates of the cost of introducing and distributing the Croton water, the Commiss…

The Commissioners have understood that at the chemical works on the North river, at 33d street, and at an extensive turpentine distillery on the East river, some distance above the Alms House, water cannot be procured in sufficient quantity from the large wells on their premises, where but a few years past, it was obtained in abundance j and, consequently, they are now compelled to cart a portion …

one source of supply, in order to increase that of another. These are important facts, and ought not to be lost sight of by the municipal authorities, or by the people of this metropolis. As if to leave nothing unexamined or unsaid that might determine the authorities and citizens of New York to undertake this noble and useful enterprize, which it was made the duty of their Commissioners to repor…

In order to effect the aforesaid object, a portion of the interest, at least, on the capital necessary to complete the project, and the annual expense attending the delivery of the water, should be paid by a tax on the real and personal estate of the city, in the same manner that the watching, lighting, and repairing the streets and roads, are paid or as the ; expense of the police, criminal cou…

We open public squares and enlarge and widen our streets at an immense expense, in order to increase the health, convenience and beauty of the city ; all of which might be saved, if we were content to live, as our ancestors did, in narrow streets, without parks, squares, or public places. In thus adding to the convenience and beauty of the city, however, and increasing its salubrity, we act wisely…

It was impossible to resist such statements ; and, accordingly, we find the Joint Committee of Fire and Water, to whom was referred the communication of the Commissioners, with its various accompanying documents, reporting in a few days (on the 4th March) a fullconcurrence in the views of the Commissioners, and a recommendation that measures be forthwith adopted to take the sense of the citizens, …

Acting on such principles, we may without hesitation accord to them our full confidence, and may adopt their conclusions with safety." The following conclusions are derived from the Commissioners' report : CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 137 That all the water of the Croton may be taken from near its mouth and brought 1. to the city ofNew York in an aqueduct, declining 15 inches in a mile, and delivered i…

And, That the revenue which would accrue to the city, from very low charges, for sup- 5. plying the water, would overpay the interest on the cost of the work. " These," say the Joint Committee of the Corporation, "are the great facts upon which the Common Council are now called upon to act, and in the first place to pronounce the judgment, whether the work shall or shall not proceed. The Commi…

safety, which should influence the community to undertake the work, the report concludes with the following resolutions : Resolved, That the plan adopted by the Water Commissioners for the city of New York, for supplying the city of New York with a sufficient quantity of pure and wholesome water for the use of its inhabitants, and described in the their report, made to the Board of Aldermen, the …

Resolved, That a poll be, and hereby is appointed to be opened on the days upon which the next annual election for charter officers for this city, is by law appointed to be held, to the end that the electors may express their assent or refusal to allow the Common Council to proceed in raising the money necessary to construct the work as aforesaid, by depositing their ballots in a box to be provide…

respective political parties and party having nothing to do with this great question there was danger that the actual sense of the people might not at the polls find the means of expression. The moment this was hinted, several hundred dollars were contributed by some eight or ten individuals, mostly of large landed estates, to ensure a full and regular supply of tickets at each poll, favorable to…

I, Nathaniel Jarvis, Clerk of the City and County of New York, do hereby certify, that the votes given at a General Election held on the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of April, " 1835, in the respective wards of said City, in pursuance of An act to provide for supplying the City of New York with pure and wholesome water," passed 2d May, 1834, the inspectors' returns of which, are on file in my off…

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my Seal of Office, [L.S.] this 28th day of March, 1843r^' NATHANIEL JARVIS, Clerk. To complete this view, and to show that the wards which contributed the largest amount of taxes, gave also the largest vote in favor of the Croton project, a list is annexed, from the books of the City Comptroller, of the taxes paid by each ward…

The popular voice having thus pronounced, by an overwhelming majority, in favor of the Croton Aqueduct, the Corporation lostno time in passing an ordinance, dated 7th of May, instructing the Commissioners at once to proceed in the work, according to the plan adopted by them, and authorizing a loan for two millions and a half of dollars, at 5 per cent interest, to provide for the expenses thereof …

Another ordinance was passed on the 15th of May, fixing the salary of the Chairman of the Water Commissioners at $1500 per annum, and that of each of the others, at $1000, to be paid as part of the contingent expenses of said work. The Commissioners went to work zealously ; on the 2d of June, they appointed D. B. Douglas, Esq., their chief engineer, and directed him to organise a corps of enginee…

The quantity requisite for the lake that would be formed by damming the river, was reported by Mr. Cartwright, who was specially employed to survey it, at 496 acres, of which some was obtained by purchase, the residue through the intervention of appraisers. The engineers kept the field till January, 1836, and returned to it in April. The whole line was re-surveyed during the summer, being the four…

Cupidity in some, real unwillingness in others to have their farms broken up, and dread, probably, on the part of the great majoof tumult, disorder, and numberless petty annoyances, from the throng of laborers, rity, who, it was perceived, would find employment on the work, led to public meetings, unfriendly resolutions, and memorials to the Legislature. The chief propositions of the applicants…

The Legislature very properly refused to accede to propositions such as these, but in order to quiet apprehensions, that land taken for the Aqueduct might be used for other purposes, and to insure to the owners, through whose possessions the water passed, free and convenient access to all portions of their farms, as well as for other purposes, they passed the annexed law. AN ACT To AMEND AN ACT …

into the city of New York, such lands so improperly used or not so required, shall become revested in the individual from whom the said Corporation obtained it, as fully and perfectly as though the act hereby amended had never been enacted, upon repaying to said Corporation the amount originally paid for the same, after deducting from such amount the damage sustained by such individual, by reason …

So much and such parts of the act hereby amended, as is inconsistent with this act, is hereby repealed. This concession did not satisfy the complainants along the line, and at a public that the taking of the meeting held at Tarrytown, it was resolved, among other things, lands of individuals as authorised by the state law, was unconstitutional and ought to be to the Supreme Court of the U. S. r…

In July of this year, the Corporation began their part of the work by ordering pipes, to be laid down in Barclay-street, agreeably to the size adopted by the Commissioners, from the intersection of Chapel to Greenwich-street, along Greenwich to Cedar, and up Cedar to Broadway. The Legislature also passed a law authorizing the construction of the aqueduct through lands belonging to the State, at S…

their difficulties in conciliating the inhabitants of Westchester, along the line, to the great work in hand, complain of the delays incident to the process of appraisement, and " lack of finally of what they considered energy in the operations of their engineer department." " Wetook occasion," says the Report, " to state in our communication of the 1st of August, that on the 23d July, certain i…

Jervis, who had been engaged in most of the public works constructed by this State, was appointed chief engineer, at an annual salary of $5000. We cannot but pause in our narrative for a moment, to express regret that a great enterprise like this, of which the plans and details were digested by Major Douglas, which even in its consummation, must still be deemed mainly to be his work, should, owin…

By direction of the Commissioners, who were anxious to place some of the work under contract for the opening of the working season, shafts were sunk at the site of the dam, and along the line of the Aqueduct as far as Sing Sing, eight miles, in order to exhibit the nature of the ground to be excavated, for the information of all parties this, as well as ; examinations on the same line for stone …

144 MEMOIR OF THE "It has appeared by the proceedings of one of your honorable Boards, as published in the newspapers some time since, that, censure has been cast upon the Commissioners for some unknown cause, and that, in debate, it had been stated they were under no accountability, either to the public, or the Common Council, and that a resolution had been proposed, to apply to the Legislature …

In order that your honorable body might see that their funds were properly disbursed, the Commissioners have uniformly, as has been before observed, reported to the Comptroller a detailed account of their receipts and expenditures at the end of every six months since the commencement of their operations. The Commissioners, have, in addition, always left their books open to the inspection of any me…

The result of this little discussion was, that in a bill asked for by the Common Council and passed by the Legislature, for the purpose of authorising the water Commissioners to take possession upon agreement or due appraisement, of lands or roads overflowed by the construction of the dam, and to make new roads and bridges in lieu of those rendered useless, the following clause is inserted : 11. …

ings, and working plans having been completed during the winter, advertisements were, CROTON AdUEDUCT. 145 on 28th February, published in the newspapers of New York, Albany, Utica, Hartford, Ct., and Philadelphia, inviting proposals until 26th April, "for furnishing the materials and completing the construction of twenty-three sections of the Croton Aqueduct, including the dam in the Croton, th…

and that they will not allow any person in their employ to commit trespass on the premises of persons in the vicinity of the work, and will forthwith, at the request of the Commissioners or engineer, discharge from their employ any that may be guilty of committing; damage in this respect,'' Previous to commencing operations, the whole line was divided into four districts, and a competent resident…

We are thus particular in giving the names and stations of the engineers, because in so grand a work, and which, so far as yet tested, has proved so thoroughly well constructed, it is though in comparatively subordinate stations, conjust that they who, tributed largely to its excellence and sufficiency, should be commemorated. The Commissioners present this brief but clear sketch of the respectiv…

feet across ; breadth at the bottom about seventy feet, and on the top or lip, seven feet, averaging about forty feet in thickness. The down stream course will slope one and a quarter to one, and the up stream will be carried plumb. The abutments twelve feet thick ; the top and down stream slope to be covered with heavy coping, well clamped together with iron anchors and straps, &c. In fact, the…

to be made, and four tunnels, of from 300 to 800 feet in length, through hills of more or less altitude. The most prominent work on the second division, is the crossing Mill River, which must be effected, either by an aqueduct bridge, of heavy stone masonry, or by a large culvert and embankment, the latter of which the Commissioners have preferred. There are also two tunnels in this division, of …

to this be added the great length of the aqueduct to be built, and the large amount of excavation to be effected, in many places from fifteen to thirty feet in depth, and that through a soil abounding with rock, stone, and cemented earths, it cannot be wondered at if the estimates of the engineers, originally employed to make the necessary examinations shall fall far short, as the Commissioners ha…

Martineau, and other engineers, who had examined the route, would be greatly exceeded, is followed up by a request that the Common Council would, at an early day, adopt measures to raise more money, taking it for granted, that as the people of the city had deliberately decided through the medium of the ballot boxes, and by a large majority, that the necessary funds should be raised for prosecuting…

In view of the length of time which the construction of the aqueduct would occupy, of the vast sums that would be expended, and of various and perplexing questions that could not fail to arise in the progress of the undertaking, in the shape of claims from persons supposing themselves aggrieved, by contractors for extra allowances, &c., &c, the Commissioners suggest, for the consideration of the C…

In the course of the autumn, contracts were made for the ten sections of the first division which were before unlet, and for 27 sections of the second division, making an aggregate of 53 sections, which, with the dam, were to cost $2,823,691. A change, too, was made, on the recommendation of the chief engineer, in the position of the dam in the Croton ; a place about 400 feet down the stream bei…

insists,however, and successfully, as it seems to us, that neither drunkenness, nor robberies, nor abuse nor insult of casual visitors, could be traced to these laborers. Great delays, however, were occasioned by the slow process of appraising the lands, and the slower progress in confirming the awards by the Chancery Court and hence', it ; frequently happened, that when contractors had erecte…

The tunnellers had penetrated the rock four hundred and six feet on the first of December, and on the first of January, inst., they had extended the work to 653 feet. It is confidently anticipated that several of these tunnels will be completed during the present winter, the work progressing through the intervention of a relay of hands both day and night. The tunnel under contract to Scott & Youn…

permit the crossing of the valley with the stone embankment. The foundation wall of the aqueduct, amounting to 12,050 cubic yards, and back filling to 10,200 cubic yards, has been executed. CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 149 In addition, a large amount of materials has been prpcured for the work, and many items of work performed. Here is a respectable amount of work, considering the time in which it has been…

is to be performed, in excavating and tunnelling through an almost impenetrable rock, or of mechanical labor in preparing materials, and in the erection of the bridges, culverts, stone and foundation walls, together with the aqueduct for conveying the water to the city, and other erections of a permanent and durable character, to attempt a description of which, by words, is out of the question the…

Provision is made in the contracts, that no hydraulic masonry shall be laid up between the 15th of October and the 1st of April ; but the weather continuing mild, the importance of forwarding this part of the work, as far as possible, with safety, induced an extension of the date of suspension to the 8th of November aforesaid. It will be observed there is a much larger quantity of excavation or o…

That part of the work requiring no mortar, such as stone wall for foundation and protection, rock excavation, tunnelling, and earth embankment, will progress during the winter months without abatement. The first and second divisions, which are included in the contracts made, embrace a line of aqueduct of 21 miles in length, and the Commissioners were only waiting for the possession of the land, t…

With a view of deciding the question, as to the best manner of bringing the Croton water across the Harlem River, the chief engineer was instructed to furnish the Commissioners with an estimate of the cost of crossing said river by an aqueduct bridge, on an inclined plane and also by an inverted syphon, with iron pipes, on a low bridge. ; The following is a synopsis of so much of the report allu…

In making an estimate of the cost of this structure, the chief engineer observes, that he had been governed by the value of work of much similitude, estimated by several of the most competent men in this department of masonry; that there is no work under contract precisely similar, or of the same magnitude, or which, from its elevation and inconvenience of access, will be so expensive in laying up…

From the north abutment of the arch, to the Westchester side of the river, will be constructed an embankment of stone, by casting them into the river until a sufficient bed shall be formed to support the foundation wall of the aqueduct. From the south abutment pier of the main arch, on the New York side of the river, an arcade, of three arches, will be built, one of 35, one of 30, and one of 25 f…

A parapet wall will be laid on each side of the bed of the pipes, to support the earth covering, which is to be four feet deep above the pipes, to protect the water from the effects of frost. There will be an influent pipe chamber at the termination of the aqueduct on the north, or Westchester side of the river, in which the pipes are to be inserted. Commencing on this side of the river, at the i…

Four three feet pipes, according to the calculation of the engineers, will deliver 49,843,984 gallons of water every twenty-four hours which is about the quantity calculated to be ; delivered by the aqueduct, and nearly the average quantity running in the Croton. River. It is proposed, therefore, to insert only two of these pipes at present ; they being deemed more than sufficient to supply the …

Pearson, Esq., an architectural draftsman, now in the employ of the Commissioners, which are herewith submitted for the inspection of your honorable body. The chief engineer expresses a decided opinion in favor of the plan by inverted syphons or pipes ; and the Board of Commissioners, after due deliberation, have adopted said plan, as, in their opinion, far preferable to that for crossing by a hi…

All the purposes and objects to be obtained by the project, will as well be attained by the plan of a low bridge as by that of the high bridge, and at an expense of more than half a million of dollars less. 3d. The experience in sinking piers in so great a depth of water and mud, in order to reach the rock bottom, being very limited, and their great number and immense height from the rock to the…

the land ; while the iron pipes, from their comparative size, may be bedded in earth of sufficient depth and compactness, to avoid all possibility of being affected by the frost. 5th. The effects of leakage have been found very injurious to the aqueduct bridges on our canals, and it is therefore a part of our contract to line the aqueduct, when the crossing of streams on bridges is necessary, w…

If the river should ever be made navigable, by the removal of the mills at Kingsbridge, and of the obstruction of the dam at Macomb's Bridge, the facility afforded by the low bridge, of an archway of 80 feet in width, and 50 feet in height above full tide, will admit the passage of vessels of sufficient burthen and capacity, for every useful and necessary purpose, and the high bridge could do no …

however, towards completing a plan, had been made, under the direction of Major Douglas but it was found necessary to go over the whole ground again, in order to arrive ; at a result satisfactory to the present chief engineer and an earlier attention to the subject ; was prevented by the pressing necessity of preparing the first and second divisions of the aqueduct for contract, and also the g…

From this reservoir it is proposed to conduct the water, through the 5th avenue, to the distributing reservoir on Murray Hill, by iron pipes. In following the line of aqueduct as above described, its grade will, in several places, be above the present surface of the ground, and from 102d to 95th street inclusive, in order to accommodate the carriageway and sidewalks, archways must be erected over …

The Commissioners submitted an estimate to your honorable body in their report of the 3d of July last, of the probable cost of completing the first and second divisions of the aqueduct, and promised to report an estimate of the total amount that would be required to complete the whole project, including the receiving reservoir between the 6th and 7th avenues and 79th and 86th streets, and the dist…

salaries and other incidental expenses of the Commissioners already incurred, and including the amount that may be incurred, the estimates thus embracing every expenditure already made and to be made, from the commencement to the final completion of the work. In bringing together the several items which compose this estimate, an attempt has been made to cover every positive and probable expense, i…

The first line runs diagonally from 128th street in the 9th Avenue, to between 118th and 119th streets, in the 10th Avenue. The second line crosses the valley, and runs parallel with, and 125 feet from, the 10th Avenue. The third line continues through the centre of the 10th Avenue. The crossing of all these lines is to be effected by means of a bridge, with semicircular arches of 50 feet span. Th…

It thus appears that making an average of the cost of crossing the valley on an arched bridge, by the three lines designated, and continuing the aqueduct on its regular inclination, will amount to $1,188,633. An estimate is then presented, for crossing the valley with pipes, or inverted syphons, of three feet diameter. The estimate proceeds upon the principle, that only two pipes will be required…

It thus appears, if it should be deemed necessary to lay down four pipes in the firs-t instance, at a cost of $453,670, which would furnish 38 million of gallons every twentyfour hours, there would still be a saving in the expense, by carrying the water over the valley by pipes, of $734,963, adopting the average cost of carrying it by an aqueduct bridge; and comparing the cost of building the …

The plan, however, may be modified, both in those particulars as well as others, if deemed expedient by your honorable body, and a high bridge may be substituted, instead of the syphon at the Harlem river and Manhattanville, by incurring an additional expenditure of one million, one hundred and eighty-eight thousand, seven hundred and ninety-two dollars; and by delivering the water in the city, at…

That the permanent grade of the several streets and avenues, adjacent to the line of the aqueduct, ought, as far as practicable, to be made to conform to such line, the Commissioners think must be admitted ; and they trust, therefore, that the whole subject may be specially referred to a Joint Committee of both Boards and the Street Commissioner, with authority to take measures for opening and f…

The estimated cost is - 295,340 00 The total cost of the reservoirs, - - $605,840 00 The cost of the four divisions of the aqueduct, commencing at the Croton Reservoir, and ending at the Receiving Reservoir, including the crossing at the Harlem River, and the Manhattan Valley, by pipes, amounts to 6,189,000 00 - And for the connecting pipes, between the receiving and distributing reservoirs…

This high estimate, exceeding by three millions of dollars any former one, " can only be accounted for," says the report, " by the fact that the engineers, originally employed, did not possess the means of testing their calculations by the actual contract price, as we have been enabled to do." The Commissioners conclude this important report, by reiterating their former suggestion in favor of a s…

But the Common Council did not approve of the substitution of inverted syphons for a high bridge, to pass the water over the Harlem, and accordingly the Board of Assistants adopted this resolution : RESOLVED, That it is inexpedient to adopt the plan proposed by the Water Commissioners, for crossing the Harlem river by means of a low bridge or syphon, and that the plan of the high bridge referred …

Four blocks of the land required for the receiving reservoir, containing about 4f acres each, were obtained by purchase, and application was made to the Chancellor, for the appointment of appraisers, on whose award the remaining lands might be taken. A circular was also addressed to the chief iron founders in the United States and Great Britain, inviting proposals for the iron pipes that would b…

The work performed during the winter consisted, principally, of excavation of earth and rock, in tunnelling, and in quarrying stone, and preparing them for use in the construction of the culverts, bridges, and other erections connected with the aqueduct, which has greatly facilitated the spring operations. But, in order that some idea may be formed of the progress of the work, we beg leave to pre…

There are twenty-two culverts completed and in use, discharging the water from the several creeks and runs, some of them of considerable magnitude ; and their aggregate length is 1825 feet. The number partly finished was seven, and their length is 578 feet. Seven of these culverts measure from 100 to 148 feet in length seven ; of them from 80 to 96 feet, and thirteen of them from 50 to 72 feet. …

The quantity of foundation wall laid, amounted to 28,000 cubic yards, and of protection wall, 13.160 cubic yards. This is but a very brief sketch of the work which has been performed, and is confined altogether to the operations on the first and second divisions, exclusive of the large amount of excavation in rock and earth on a line of thirty-three miles in length, nearly the whole of which has b…

The whole length of aqueduct now under contract, extending from the Croton to the Harlem River, is THIRTY-THREE MILES. Owing to a turn-out for wages early in the season, the work on the line between the dam and Sing Sing, was somewhat retarded. The promptness of the magistrates of that town prevented the evil from spreading, and the contractors having taken back such of the laborers as they were …

Here the poison was freely sold, and although the contractors and superintendents exerted all their vigilance to prevent its being introduced on the line, and repeatedly discharged laborers who were found intoxicated, the "enemy of man," as it is justly called in the report, prevailed so far, that in the month of April, during a drunken frolic, one of their ancient national feuds broke out among t…

The swearing, however, was so contradictory, that the act of killing could not be fixed upon any individual, and the Court and Jury, foregoing the capital charge, were content to bind the most conspicuous, under recognizance, to keep the peace. Order was by these means restored, and every thing went on again in harmony. The Commissioners, in this report, draw the attention of the Corporation to…

They also renew a request, previously made, that the Corporation would take immediate measures for opening and establishing the grade of the avenues and streets through which the line of the aqueduct passed, and also those by which the receiving reservoir is bounded. After bearing testimony anew to their constant satisfaction with the ability and devotedness of the engineer corps, and particularl…

The same spirit has been uniformly evinced by subsequent Common Councils, in rendering their unremitting countenance and aid to the measure ; and to these," the Commissioners add, "they are mainly indebted for their ability to progress thus far with the great and important work under their special charge." During the whole of this year, operations were pushed with great vigor, so that nearly one…

That of the West Point Foundry Association being found a shade lower than the others, a contract was passed with them, with adequate personal security on their part for the due fulfilment of their undertaking. The Commissioners also let out upon advantageous terms the difficult and important sections from 86 to 97, part of the fourth division. These included the bridge to support the syphons acro…

Notice was served on the Commissioners in behalf of land-owners not residents of the State, bordering on the line where it was to pass the Harlem, that application would be made to the Circuit Court of the United States, to restrain any such construction in or over that river, as ' should impede or obstruct the navigation thereof, and particularly from filling up the channel of the said river." M…

2d, Because the Commissioners were of opinion, that the crossing in the manner proposed, is the easiest,the safest, and the most permanent and durable; 3d, Because thisis the unanimous opinion of the Commissioners, and of the whole corps of engineers engaged on the works, and in this opinion they are joined by several engineers of eminence, not connected with the operations, CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. …

responsibility of changing the plan of the Commissioners ; and now, believing it to be our duty to carry into effect that plan which shall require the least expenditure, and which may be completed in the shortest time, while it takes nothing from the permanence and usefulness of the object, we have adopted the plan by syphons. With these impressions, and in a firm belief in their correctness, …

But over and above the running supply, the Croton lake created by the dam, is estimated to contain 100,000,000 gallons for each foot in depth from the surface, and this may be drawn down five or six feet, yielding as many hundred million gallons. The receiving reservoir will contain 158 millions of gallons, and the distributing reservoir 19 millions altogether forming an aggregate surplus, in case…

The number now partly finished is ten, and their length in feet 652. The number partly finished at our last report was seven; length 578. Increase, 3 culverts in progress. Tunnels. The number of tunnels excavated throughout is three. Their aggregate length 667 feet. There are, besides, seven tunnels partly finished, measuring 1187 feet of excavation; making .an aggregate of tunnelling of 1854 fe…

The immense effort in penetrating high hills, and in crossing deep valleys, can only be judged of by a personal view of the vast amount of labor performed by the physical strength of man." This- Report of the Commissioners, especially in that part of it that commented on the Report made by the Board of Assistants in favor of a high bridge, and on the resolution given in a preceding page, which th…

Moreover, the landowners and others, who were contending for the uninterrupted navigation of the Harlem, abandoning their contemplated appeal to the U. S. Courts, addressed themselves to the Legislature. The efforts made were successful, and the following law was passed on 3d May, 1839. AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CROTON AQUEDUCT SHALL PASS THE HARLEM RIVER. The People of the Stat…

sponsibility, decided in favor of the low or syphon bridge, and had actually entered into contract for its construction, were naturally not a little annoyed at the change of plan thus authoritatively forced upon them. Nevertheless, they submitted with a good grace, and, having taken the precaution to insert in the contract a proviso, that if at any time the plan of the low bridge should be aband…

REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER, ON PLANS FOR CROSSING HARLEM RIVER. New York, June 1st, 1839. To the Honorable the Water Commissioners of the City of New York : GENTLEMEN : The resolution of your Board, requiring the undersigned to prepare plans and estimates for crossing Harlem River, by a bridge, the arches of which shall be 164 MEMOIR OF THE elevated 100 feet above common high water mark, and…

This plan provided for an aqueduct of masonry, to be rendered more impervious by a cast iron lining; but as it was supposed the Commissioners had power, and no objection having previously been made, on the ground of interference with the the navigation, a structure, conforming nearly to the shape of the valley, and rising to a moderate elevation above the surface of the river, on which iron pipes …

This I do not consider an objection, as I am fully satisfied, iron pipes will make the most suitable conduit for the water on such a bridge, and therefore have had a plan prepared, with a view to comply with the law, arid avail of the economy and greater permanence from a less elevated structure. Owing to the less height required for the arches, and by adopting iron pipes for the conduit, the top …

This plan, it will be perceived, has, in its general appearance, a great degree of similarity to what has, for distinction, been called the high bridge. It will, however, in consequence of its being of less height, and adapted to support a lighter superstructure, be less expensive. In the first instance, it is proposed to put down two three-feet pipes, which will probably be sufficient to supply …

'2,000 cubic yards of excavation of earth for foundations on shores, at 16 cents $ 320 200 cubic yards of excavation of rock for foundations on shore, at $3 600 7 coffer dams, including pumping, excavation of pits, and earth filling, as per detailed estimate in report of December, - 1837, at $13,000 $91,000 Add for extra excavation of mud, and extra sheeting of frame 13,000 $104,000 $104,92…

64,850 1,300 cubic yards of parapet walls, at $12 15,600 520 cubic yards of brick walls and wells, at $12 6,240 250 cubic yards of coping on parapets, at $30 7,500 29,340 4,400 cubic yards of foundation walls at ends, at $2 8,800 400 cubic yards of side wall on do. at $6 - 2,400 11,200 166 MEMOIR OF THE 6,500 cubic yards of earth filling over pipes, at 40 cents - 2,600 350 superficial yards …

The bed of the river is about 18 feet below common high water mark. The channel is not this depth for its whole width, but slopes very flat on the sides. The outline of the plan, is to make a tunnel of masonry, of sufficient dimensions to allow four iron pipes, each three feet diameter to be laid within it. The tunnel to be made of two sections, or of two arched vaults, laid close to each other, a…

It is proposed to make the tunnel, by first excavating the mud which forms the bed of the river, by means of a dredging machine, so as to allow a frame for a coffer dam to be sunk on the sand which underlies the mud. After the mud has been removed, a frame for a coffer dam is to be sunk, embracing the area of tunnel and abutments. The coffer dam being required to be about 400 feet long and 40 feet…

After the frame is sunk to its place and well secured, the driving of the sheet-piling, filling in with water-tight earth, and, in general, all other work, will be similar to that proposed for coffer dams for the piers ; with such additional security as its larger dimensions demand. The coffer dam being completed, it is proposed to erect two fifty horse power steam engines, with suitable pumps, t…

The iron pipes are proposed to be of metal, 1 3-8 inches in thickness, for the part that passes the tunnel, and 1^ inches until they extend to a point 40 feet above the level of the river. Branch pipes and waste cocks will be required in the main pipe, above the high water mark of the river, as a means to force out the sediment that may be deposited in the bottom of the pipe. This means of clearin…

the head of the pipe much more rapidly than it could be supplied from the influent chamber, when the action in entering the pipe would be under comparatively a very small head. It is therefore obvious, the discharge at the cock would very shortly be reduced to the quantity that could enter the pipe from the pipe chamber. To provide, therefore, for removing sediment that may not be carried out by t…

proposed to place the pipes on seats that will keep them clear from the walls of the tunnel, and protect the top by a roof that will turn off any water that might fall from the of the tunnel, and be roofing arch, and thus allow the whole to settle in the bottom drained by the vaults that connect with the pump wells, where suitable pumps must be erected to raise and discharge it from the same. Th…

Had we been permitted to restrict the channel of the river to 100 feet in width and 8 feet in depth at low water, which would probably have been an ample provision for all navigation that it is necessary to provide for, the plan of passing the aqueduct by means of a tunnel, would have been divested of a large portion of the difficulty and expense, and could have been entered upon with far greater …

November 2, 1837, 12 years after its commencement, there had been expended 264,000 pounds, and it \vas then estimated to require an additional sum of 350,000 pounds to complete it, which, if correct, will . make the final cost 614,000 pounds, or near four times the original estimate. As before observed, we are not to consider the two cases as parallel, though there is a degree of similarity, whi…

20,000 pounds wrought iron bolts, straps and spikes, at 12 cents - - $2,400 Pin timber and treenails 250 Carpenter and other work, framing, sinking, and securing frame - 30,000 Driving 2,000 feet lineal of sheet piling, at $2 4,000 Driving 320 round piles at $3 cubic earth filling and embanking coffer, at 40 cents - 380,000 yards 15,200 Estimated cost of pumps, steam engines, and working, (ver…

The items of which the estimate for the bridge is made, are for the greatest part of a character that give confidence in its being a fair approximation to the actual cost. The hydraulic foundations are the principal exception. In relation to the tunnel, the greatest part is peculiarly uncertain ; and it would not be surprising if unforseen difficulties should occur in its construction, that would…

The Avaste cocks for the tunnel pipe, being 32 feet above the lower part of the bend, rendering it probable the sediment must be removed, to a great extent, by manual labor, through the man holes, will make the clearing of the pipes much more difficult and expensive than the bridge pipe. The supervision and care, necessary to keep the tunnel pipe in good condition and guard against sudden failure,…

The question is one of great importance, and surrounded with embarrassing difficulties, which in some respects are of a nature that do not admit of exact, or even hardly approximate, computation. In relation to the time required for the completion, I think five years as little, as should be calculated for the bridge while the tunnel, if successful in putting ; down the coffer dam, may be complet…

From the considerations before detailed, I have however come to the conclusion, that under the modificationnow presented, it is better to adopt it, than the plan of carrying the aqueduct by a tunnel under the river. Could I have the same confidence in the estimate for the tunnel that I have in the bridge, I should have less in coming to this conclusion than I now feel for although the tunnel estim…

This, together with the consideration, that the supervision and maintenance of the pipe on the bridge, will be more simple and less expensive, and consequently more satisfactory than that in the tunnel, have induced me to give the preference to the bridge. By a resolution of your Board, subsequent to the one before mentioned, my attention is called to a suggestion for a wooden bridge, resting on …

A timber arch and trunk sufficient for two and a half feet pipes, which would be sufficient to supply the city with water for twenty years, could be erected and covered for about 75,000 dollars, which is about 150,000 dollars less than estimated to complete the work of masonry. Such a bridge would last, if the cover was kept in good repair, probably 30 years. It is quite practicable to raise timbe…

The decay that will be effected by the action of time on the timber, may not be sufficiently manifest in its external appearance, to give seasonable warning of its weakening influence on the structure, and (as is sometimes the case with wooden aqueducts on canals,) it will be liable to go down suddenly, and thus cause a breach in the aqueduct that will be difficult to repair in time to meet the wa…

Should the Board be of opinion, that either the tunnel plan, or the wooden arch bridge, would be the most suitable for them to adopt, I shall feel no hesitation in going forward, with every effort in mypower, to produce a successful accomplishment. It is, however, opinion, as before expressed, that under all the circumstances, the aqueduct my bridge of masonry with iron pipes for the conduit, is …

Meantime the general work on the line went forward " with full as much speed," " as is desirable under " say the Commissioners, present circumstances ;" they add, had the Commissioners, however, been pursue the original plan of the work, there can left to scarcely be a doubt that the Croton water would have been flowing through our streets, and regaling both the taste and sight of our citizens…

The number completed at our last report was seventy-nine, and their length 5,476 feet. There is, therefore, an increase of 13 in the number of culyerts built since our last report. 4th. TUNNELS. The number of tunnels excavated through their whole length, is jive, and in the aggregate, are 1,197 feet long. Only three were completed at our last report, of 667 feet in length, which shows an increa…

These necessary and ornamental structures, will be placed at equal distances along the whole line. , Six of them are now complete, and seven in progress. They are built of marble, or a light colored stone, from 14 to 20 feet in in the form of a height, rising up pyramid,and may answer to point out to strangers, the line of the aqueduct, as well as vents, through which the collected air may disc…

The arch of this bridge is 88 feet span, and about 70 feet in height from the bed of the creek. The centres for turning this large arch, have been up for some time past, and thirty courses of the arch stone laid. The aqueduct proceeds from the Sing Sing tunnel, crossing both the aforesaid street and creek, from north to south. 3d. An archway over the Highland turnpike, now highway, about eleven m…

The large double culvert on Saw Mill River, with arches of 25 feet span each and 82 feet in length. The river is 42 feet below grade, and to the top of the aqueduct, 56 feet. The two last structures are connected, the aqueduct passing over both of them, in its course to the city These important pieces of workmanship, are composed of the first quality of building stone, hammer dressed, and well be…

174 MEMOIR OF THE Resolved, That a line of water pipes be laid through Christopher-street, from Hudson-street to Sixth avenue also, through Clarkson-street, from Hudson to Varick-street, ; through Varick to Hammersley, through Hammersley to intersect with pipes already laid in Houston-street, also through Houston-street from Hudson-street to Greenwich-lane, and through Greenwich-lane to the Si…

All revenue to be received for water, to be procured by the works for supplying the city of New York with pure and wholesome water, and furnished to the inhabitants of said city, is especially pledged and appropriated as a Sinking Fund towards .the " redemption of The Water Stock of the City of New York." Approved by the Mayor, June 19, 1839. During the next six months, until 31st December, the…

There were five completed at our last report, of 1195 feet in length, which shows an increase of two tunnels completed, of 873 feet in length. There are besides the above, nine tunnels in the progress of completion, that have been excavated in the aggregate, 2133 feet, making the total of tunnelling up to the 25th of December, 4201 feet, alnd of masonry on the aqueduct, within the tunnels, 2476 fe…

A large portion of them are intended as ventilators to discharge the superabundant air collected in the aqueduct, and a few of them are fitted for waste weirs, for discharging the water from the aqueduct, if at any time repairs should be required, or any other cause make it necessary. There were six complete on the first of July last, making an increase of eighteen in this description of the work.…

This was a very trying year for financial arrangements ; nevertheless, the city continued to face all its engagements with punctuality, and to meet the great expenditure on account of the aqueduct ; and the Commissioners, although not charged with any agency in raising the money needed for the work, nevertheless express their clear conviction that it would be better to pay higher interest, if ne…

The Commissioners repeat this suggestion without expressing an opinion concerning it, but in referring to the rapid execution of the general work they say " there is hardly a doubt that the whole line from the Croton to the Harlem, will be finished, some years, before the expensive and difficult work over the latter river can be." Much, however, and of very difficult and expensive construction, …

This may be explained, without impeaching the sagacity or accuracy of those engineer, by the facts, that they had no actual experience derived from the price at which contracts would be taken that the difference in the cost of land from that which it bore in 1835, and that afterwards placed on it by speculators and interested persons, was beyond calculation and that the prices of work and mater…

On the 27th of December, 1837, after he had placed thirteen sections of the first division under contract, and therefore with some practical experience of the value of such work, Mr. Jervis made an estimate of the cost, so far as the engineering was concerned, of the whole line, which amounted to $7,877,346 00 This was exclusive of the cost of land, salaries, and other expenses, which the Com…

On the 30th March, 1840, the Commissioners, who, from the commencement of this great enterprise,had directed and superintended its progress, having been superseded, made a final report to the Board of Aldermen. This sets forth the precise condition of the funds which they had received, of which the details, with accompanying vouchers, were communicated to the Comptroller, and the balance in hand p…

They hope, however, that it will be prosecuted by their successors, in a manner creditable to themselves and beneficial to the public. We leave with them our efficient and highly esteemed chief engineer, John B. Jervis, Esquire, for whose services in the successful prosecution of the work, the public are greatly indebted. The industry and ability with which he has conducted this great enterprise, …

present assistants, must be obvious ; as the information they possess, relative to the manner in which the contracts are to be fulfilled and executed, of the materials to be used, of the plans and specifications in explanation of the several parts of the work to be performed, and of numerous other matters connected with it, will be, in our opinion, of the first importance to those who are to have…

them the praise of having faithfully, intelligently, and assiduously fulfilled the trust which they had held for so many years. The Chairman of the Board in particular, Stephen Allen, has left upon the work, from its commencement to the advanced stage in which he relinquished it to his successor, the stamp of his energetic character and strong and inquiring mind. The new Commissioners, Messrs. Sam…

All the provisions of the laws heretofore passed on the subject of the Croton Water Works, pledging the faith of the city of New York, providing a sinking fund for the redemption of the stock issued by virtue thereof, are hereby made applicable to the stock issued in pursuance of this act. 5. No part of the fund created by this act, or any other fund raised for the purpose of constructing or c…

At the same session the Legislature remedied the injustice which had been attempted in some of the towns of Westchester, through which the aqueduct passed, of taxing it CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 179 as personal property. The law of 7th May, restricted the assessors to taxing the lands in Westchester county occupied or used for the aqueduct, only upon their value, exclusive of the works. The Common Co…

The bridge across the Croton River, which was made in lieu of the one overflown by the water of the river, and the portion of the turnpike also required to be made, are both done, as well as the private road adjacent to the river, and it is expected the Commissioners appointed by the State to judge of this matter, will receive the bridge and roads, as a full substitute for those which our works re…

This embankment is supported and protected on its lower side by a heavy protection wall 20 feet wide at base. The portion of the dam over which the water flows, together with the abutment and bulkhead adjacent, is of hydraulic stone masonry their united length is ; 105 feet. The width of the sheet of water flowing over the dam is 90 feet, and it is supposed in times of a freshet will be from fo…

The total capacity of delivery of the aqueduct is about 50 millions of gallons for 24 hours, but in case the lake is being reduced seven feet, by a discharge through the aqueduct, not more than 35 millions can be calculated on as the average delivery during that time. The flow of the Croton in ordinary low water exceeds 50 millions for 24 hours, and the minimum flow after long continued drought ha…

In addition to this abundant supply, the water of the river at various parts for the distance of 15 or 20 miles could be dammed up, at a small expense, and large ponds made to discharge into the Croton, which would always furnish a supply far beyond the capacity of the aqueduct to discharge ; and the singular fact also exists, that a stream called the Ten Mile River, of very considerable supply o…

The highest point of land on the eastern side of it, in a late visit with the Corporation to the Croton River Lake, was named " Mount Varian," in honor of our worthy Chief Magistrate, during whose mayoralty the works at the Croton River have been commenced and completed. Second Division, commencing at the southern termination of the first division (about three miles south of Sing Sing) and running…

Fourth Division, commencing at section 80, terminating the third division, and running to the Battery in the First Ward of the City of New York, distance in all fourteen miles. Of this division, sections 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 to 85, in length about two miles, are in Westchester County, and are entirely completed. The whole distance in Westchester County, all of which is nearly completed, is 32 miles …

This bridge, it will be recollected, is, by the plan, to be supported by seven land arches, each of 50 feet span, on the valley between the river and the adjacent hills, and over the river by eight arches of 80 feet span each, the crown of the intrados of the arches is 100 feet above the surface of the water, and the height of the superstructure near 120 feet. We have sunk four coffer dams in the …

This last section is about one half completed, and will easily be completed the next fall. We then arrive at section 92, which is nearly completed, with the exception of the tunnel, which is 420 feet long, through rock, 120 feet of which is excavated. The next section, No. 93, is completed, and the account settled. Section No. 94 crosses the Clendening Valley, and embraces a very heavy stone found…

In reference to this work it is greatly to be regretted that Forty-second-street should have been reduced to so low a grade, which has increased very greatly the cost of the walls, without adding in any respect to the utility or beauty of the work. This location being higher than any of the adjoining lands, it is not obvious why your predecessors required it to be cut down at so great an expense t…

In the instances we have referred to, the water passed through the first eight miles of the aqueduct, to a waste weir at Sing Sing, where it was discharged in six hours. This strengthens the opinion, that it will certainly pass through the whole line, as fast as at the rate of one mile per hour, which is the rate calculated on. The frequent use of the thermometer has shown that the temperature of …

We were not able to make any arrangement with the contractors for the receiving reservoir at Yorkville, by which we could abandon, for the present, the construction of the northern division of this work, as proposed by us, with any advantage to the public so ; much work having been already executed, and so much of the earth being required for the embankments of the streets surrounding the reservo…

Varian, on the ground that it would close streets, which, according to the map of the city, were at some future period to be opened in the direction of the arches to be dispensed with. The Commissioners, in the report under consideration, examine at length and in detail, the objections of the Mayor, which they thought might all be obviated even admitting, which they do not, that the lines traced o…

The high bridge over the Harlem River, reappears in this report, as a difficult, costly, and not necessary work and inasmuch as the plan agreed upon by the former Commissioners, was not to continue the grade line of the aqueduct, but to descend on the Westchester side some 14 feet with the water in iron pipes, and after passing it over the river in a horizontal line, to raise it on the New York si…

The efforts of the civil authorities to restrain the violence of these lawless men, proved unavailing ; and the Commissioners having communicated to the Mayor their apprehension of damage to the work, a military detachment was ordered on the line, at whose appearance order was speedily restored and work resumed. In the course of this year a difference of opinion arose between the Commissioners an…

expenditure should be charged against the water stock fund, except the same is approved by the Water Commissioners and the Comptroller." Under this provision, the Commissioners stated to the Board of Aldermen, that they felt constrained to call the attention of their engineers to the subject of supplying the city with pipes, and laying them down. "The extent of the subject," say the Commissioners…

Another objection to the work being done by committees of the Corporation, seems to have been, that it was by day's work, and not by contract, and therefore less economical. All the other work on the aqueduct had been done by contract, and it is reasonably urged that the same practice should be observed in laying down the distributing pipes. The former Commissioners had so construed the then exis…

The Croton Aqueduct Committee are hereby vested with the powers necessary for making all contracts in relation to the said department, and for conducting the waterworks, purchasing materials, and distributing the water; provided always, that the powers of the said Committee shall not be construed to interfere with those now vested in the Water Commissioners, and that the contracts of such Committe…

taming to the water pipes, and the distribution of the water in the city, showing the cost of the pipes, whence obtained, &c., with a complete description, map, and plan of all the different sizes of pipes now laid down, and to be laid, with the exact dimensions of their offsets in each street, and the distances they are laid from the sidewalks, in order that the size of the pipes, and their o…

The first section directs the Comptroller to charge to the Water Works, all the Water Commissioners, for or on account of the Cr"oton Water Works, requisitions of the north of,and including, the distributing reservoir, and the requisitions of the Croton Aqueduct Commissioners, for or on account of the procuring and laying down water pipes in the city of New York, south of the said distributin…

It will not be either useful or agreeable to renew the details of it in these pages. We content ourselves, therefore, with a single statement of the points on which it turned. 136 MEMOIR OF THE The Water Commissioners maintained that the laws of this State direct that all the moneys raised from the sale of the Water Stock, issued for supplying the inhabitants of this city with water, shall be …

The Water Commissioners also claimed, that since the passage of the Act of April 27, 1840, no item of expenditure made by the Common Council, can be charged to the debit of the Water Fund, without their approval. The Committee of the Common Council, the Comptroller, and the Counsel to the Corporation, contended that the original plan adopted, ratified, and approved of, for supplying the city of Ne…

A very serious loss, the first that deserves the name, occurred to the work on the night of the 7th January, 1841, by a great and sudden rise in the water of the Croton, and consequently of the Croton Lake, which carried away the dam for a distance of near 200 feet. It was the part described as an earthen embankment, with a base of 250 feet, and protected on the lower side by a dry stone wall of …

The rise continued through the night to be equal to about 14 inches per hour. At half past 4 o'clock, the water having risen 15 feet above the overfall or apron of the dam, and two or three above the earthen embankment, (which was 12 feet above the overfall,) the embankment part of the dam gave way. It was obvious from the beginning, that if the water passed over the earthen embankment, it would …

such a height of water ; and the overfall was not of a capacity, although 90 feet in length, to discharge the water which the flood brought down. There is a small waste gate in the dam of five by six feet, but hardly intended to relieve the river when in flood. The water in part escaped through the aqueduct passing over the gates, and discharging itself, at a waste weir, near Mill River, a dis…

" There were three bridges below, one called Tompkins' Bridge, valued at 1400 dollars, the bridge at the Wire Mill, cost 1200 dollars, and the Quaker Bridge over which Tompkins Bridge was the New York and Albany stages pass, valued at 1500 dollars. carried away before the dam went, as were also it is believed, the other two bridges. about one Brayton, the son of one of the dam contractors, pe…

Two people at Baileys' Mills occupied themselves so long in removing their property, that they could not get with safety to the main land, and repaired to MEMOIR OF THE a small clump of trees in the channel which, lamentable to say, were afterwards swept ; away, and no doubt these two persons were drowned. One of the laborers, lately on the works was also drowned. No dwelling house above the d…

These are all the losses which have come to our knowledge on the Crotori River, and all the losses to everybody above and below the dam, including the dam, are considerably inside of $75,000." No other parts of the aqueduct were injured by the storm, and the Commissioners conclude this their first report with expressions of satisfaction, that thus far " the aqueduct on the line stood remarkably w…

The works on this island, including the reservoirs, the mains, Clendening Valley bridges, and the tunnels, have been progressing during the summer, although retarded from the want of punctual payments. m The foundation for the bridge over the Harlem River, so far as piers Nos. 7, 8 and 9 are concerned, has been laid in the bed of the river, and the sinking of the coffer dams has been attended wit…

To put an end to all difficulties as to contested rights, as well as to provide the additional means needed for the completion of the work, the Legislature, on the application of the Common Council, passed a law on the 26th July, by a two-third vote, authorising the Corporation to raise three and a half millions more. We annex portions of that law, which is a very important one, as settling seve…

or any other fund raised for the purpose of constructing or completing the Croton Aqueduct, and the works connected therewith, and distributing the water through the city, shall be diverted from such object. 5. All the provisions of law heretofore passed on this subject, pledging the faith of the city of New York, and providing a sinking fund for the redemption of the stock issued by virtue ther…

The said money shall be assessed and collected in the same manner as now provided by law for the assessment and collection of taxes in the city of New York. 8. It shall be the duty of the Water Commissioners of the city of New York, to finish and complete the aqueduct for supplying the said city with water, down to and including the distributing reservoir at Murray's hill, according to the plan a…

And the said Commissioners are further authorised by and with the consent of the said Common Council, to alter the plan of constructing the reservoir at or near to Yorkville, and to complete so much of such reservoir as shall be deemed sufficient for the present purposes of such aqueduct. 10. It shall be the duty of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, to execute all the wo…

Chollar and Ebenezer Jones, made the twenty-third of October, one thousand eight hundred and forty, for iron pipe their contract with S. V. Mer- ; rick and John Town, for seven hundred tons of thirty-inch iron pipe and also their con- ; tract with T. H. Wintersteen and David I. Myers, for five hundred tons of iron pipe all; which said contracts are deposited in the office of the Comptroller o…

The contractors for the new dam in the Croton, for instance, were bound to have it in such an advanced stage by 1st November of this year, as to throw two feet water from the lake into the aqueduct. The next disappointment was in the bridge over the Harlem, arisin g from not finding, as the soundings had indicated, a rocky bottom on which to rest the foundation of some of the piers of the bridge. …

The length of the new part of the dam (the mason work of the old dam not having been carried away) is 180 feet; so that with the mason work of the first erected dam, which still remains, it will make a dam of an overfall of 260 feet. The dam, when completed, will be about 50 feet high, having a base of masonry 65 feet wide and banked in, on the up stream side, with an em- ; bankment 250 feet wid…

With the view of keeping 4 feet of water on the apron at the toe of the dam, and thereby breaking the force of the fall, by its action on a body of water, there has been constructed, at a point 300 feet below the main dam, a secondary dam of timber and stone, which is 200 feet long and 9 feet high. The abutments of this secondary dam, with two piers of crib work, filled in with stone, have been us…

The contractors urged in excuse, the great difficulty in procuring sufficient quantities of large stone, and of a suitable quality, and the consequent failure, by their sub-contractors, in the delivery of such stone ; which difficulty was enhanced by the rejection of every stone not deemed of the most durable quality. The work, on the whole, has been prosecuted, with the exception referred to, wi…

MEMOIR OF THE face of the water, without finding rock, it was determined to place this pier on piles, and this work is now in progress. Although disappointed in not finding a stone foundation, we find the earth in the bed of the river of a compact character, and well suited to give security to the pier, by piling. The foundations for piers Nos. 7, 8 and 9 are, all of them, with their mason work, c…

The estimated cost of carrying the bridge up to its contemplated height, from the point or position in which it will be, on the 1st of July next, will amount to $596,779. After the water is introduced, by these temporary means, there will be no pressing necessity for the high bridge being erected faster than is convenient for the resources of the Corporation, and the economy of its construction, p…

Under this arrangement of the work, the whole amount required by this department to bring the water to Murray's Hill, will not differ materially from $650,000, which includes the settling up the demands for work already done on the several contracts not yet completed. CLENDENING VALLEY. The Common Council will recollect that we informed them, through their Committee, in July, 1840, thatwe proposed…

We have also arranged with the contractors, CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 193 to settle all their claims for this departure from the original plan, and for the material which they had provided for the arches, for the sum of $4,500. The excavation of about 50,000 cubic yards of rock has been dispensed with in the receiving reservoir, of which about 45,000 lie in the northern division. This constitutes a savi…

The early part of the working season of 1842 was rainy, and occasioned some solicitude lest the contractors, especially those for the dam, should not be able sufficiently to advance their work, to realise the expectations of the citizens to behold the Croton flowing in their streets on the 4th of July but after the state of the weather permitted opera- ; tions to be resumed, the work on the dam …

This massive structure, of which the dimensions and a description were given in the most beautiful and substantial of its kind in the last report, is supposed to be one of the world. The cut stone masonry of the overfall being now completed, with the exception of 15 or 20 feet at the southern end adjoining the waste culvert, a perfect idea can be formed of its finished appearance and this is well…

This was done for the purpose of ascertaining by experiment, what form and size will be best suited for fountains, which may be erected in the public squares or other parts of the city, for convenience or ornament. The jet is generally allowed to play a few hours in the afternoon of every day, and the large volume which it throws to the height of 110 feet, is an object of much interest to those wh…

All the difficulty and danger inseparably connected with the use of coffer dams, of the great size and depth required for this pier, have been successfully overcome, and the masonry will, in a few weeks, be raised above the high water of the river. The coffer dams for piers Nos. 11, 12, and 13, are in their places, and embanked, but none of them have yet been cleared of water, or the character of …

All, or nearly all, the timber for the centres of the arches is delivered, and the amount of machinery and arrangements of the contractors for carrying on the work is such, that if the commissioners should feel authorised to urge it forward, there is no doubt but it could be carried up as fast as a due regard to its stability would warrant. RECEIVING RESERVOIR AT YORKVILLE. The excavation at this …

When this is completed, and the streets and grounds about it are regulated, it will be one of the most interesting objects of utility and curiosity to citizens and strangers, which our country affords. Ever since the completion of the masonry of the aqueduct, it has been frequently and carefully examined, with a view to detect defects, if any existed, or failure, if any should take place and it ha…

The whole line having been found in good condition, orders were given to close the openings which had been left in the bottom, for the escape of water which flowed into the work in tunnels and deep cuttings. This having been done, and the dam raised sufficiently to cause the water to flow into the aqueduct, it was admitted to the depth of 18 inches, at 5 o'clock in the morning of the 22d June. A b…

depth of water increased to 2 feet, have shown that it flows a mile in 36 minutes, and with a depth of 4 feet, the velocity will probably not fall far short of 2 miles per hour. On the arrival of the water at Harlem river on Thursday, the 23d June, formal notice of the event was given by the Commissioners to the Mayor and Common Council, who were also informed, at the same time, that it was our in…

The President of the Board then presented the boat to the Fire Department of the city, (through their chief engineer, C, V. Anderson, Esq.,) with some remarks upon the magnitude of the aqueduct through which she had been navigated, and the important results,, pecuniary and moral, which may be expected to flow from the abundance and excellence of the water, with which our citizens are hereafter to …

several members of the Common Council, and a number of the most respectable inhabitants of the city, visited the work, and all expressed themselves highly gratified at the its abundance and purity, and at the almost unsight of the long-wished-for Croton water, exampled perfection of all parts of the work, as indicated by its performance. A jet which threw the water from forty to fifty feet high h…

But owing to the unskilful manner in which that work was designed and executed, nearly the whole day passed before the pipes could be sufficiently cleared of air, to allow the water to flow regularly into the lower part of the city. The water has since continued to flow with a depth in the aqueduct of about two feet, and delivering into the receiving reservoir about 12,000,000 imperial gallons p…

James Palmer was the chairman of the committee, and brought good practical sense as well as an honest reputation to the support of the measure. The plan was fully discussed was CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 197 pronounced by some to be visionary, and it was declared by a member then in the city councils, that water enough could not be procured to fill a tea-kettle, much less the tanks and pipes ! The repl…

Fortuitous circumstances reserved for the gentleman, who in 1829, in his place in the Common Council, gave the pledge, " that in case the well to be dug on the point of the rock on 13th street would not fill the tank and pipes in Broadway and the Bowery with water, that they should be filled, if need be, with quart bottles," 13 years afterwards, on the 4th of July, 1842, to open the gates of the r…

On the 20th January, 1843, the then Commissioners made their final report, which, announced the completion of the Croton Dam, and that it had undergone, without freshet caused by the warm rains, and the breaking damage, the test of a full ordinary up of the ice in the early part of January. The utmost rise of the water above the dam was 25 inches although, according to estimate, a million gallons…

The foundations of five of the river-piers, Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, are also completed, and the stone work of the first four has been carried to the the last, No. 11, is nearly ready to receive the masonheight of forty feet or more, and ry. The work upon the two remaining foundations, Nos. 12 and 13, is in progress. The excavation for No. 12 is completed, and a large part of the bearing piles ar…

No accident has thus far attended their use, and they have been kept free of water with less difficulty than could reasonably have been expected." The whole amount expended on the works up to 20 January, is stated by the Commissioners at seven millions nine hundred and ten thousand four hundred and seventysix dollars, to which a further amount of $662,540, required for work unfinished and contrac…

shut off and not permitted to enter the reservoirs for ten days in these ten days, all the ; water used in the city for fires and culinary purposes and waste (though the jets d'eau were not playing) reduced the quantity of water in the reservoirs only one-tenth. The water held back in the receiving reservoir would, at this rate, have been sufficient to supply the city for 100 days. The capacity,…

The water continued to flow uninterruptedly through the aqueduct, from the 22d of June, when it was first let in, to the 8th of November, when it was shut off for the purpose of more effectually inspecting its condition, and the effect that had been produced by the action of the water or other cause. Previous to the time of shutting off the water, several examinations, similar to that mentioned in…

On the examination we were accompanied by men prepared to attend to any work that might appear necessary and as soon as we passed over a district, they received their ; directions, and immediately proceeded with such work as it was considered expedient to do. Some defects were discovered, the greater part of which appeared to have been overlooked in previous examinations, which now were discov…

The two leaks that had appeared on the outside were successfully stopped by the work done inside, and nothing has since appeared to indicate any defect in the work. The reservoirs, during the time the water was shut off from the aqueduct, proved amply sufficient for the supply of the city, and indeed much beyond a supply, as a large quantity of water had to be wasted from the receiving reservoir …

The water has usually flowed at the depth of two and a quarter feet in the aqueduct, but has been as- high as three and a half feet, and between the Croton Dam and Sing Sing waste wier (nearly 8 miles) was for several weeks from five to six feet deep. The water in the receiving reservoir has been gradually raised to its present height of eighteen feet in the northern division, and twenty-six feet …

The quantity of water was extremely small, in some cases not sufficient to make a perceptible stream in the channel designed to carry any leakage that might occur to the sewers on the outside, but the earth was fully saturated, and in other cases a very small trickling stream passed off in the channel. The extent of this leakage is small, the main part of the bottom appearing well. The leakage thr…

the temporary pipe at Harlem River, and is mainly to be attributed to the manner in which it was necessary to lay down this pipe, not allowing all the freedom of action that is necessary to provide for the expansion and contraction occurring in the different temperatures to which they are exposed. The aqueduct and its appurtenances have been subjected to the trial of near seven months, and I have …

After the work before mentioned shall have been completed, the ordinary work of supervision and repairs, if well directed, will probably be obtained at a moderate expense. At the same time it should be distinctly urged that economy or efficiency, can only be expected, from the supervision and care of men, who are intimately familiar with the method of construction and the character of the work, an…

Not expecting to be much longer engaged in the general charge of the work, I have felt it to be a duty that I owed, not more to my own reputation, than to the interest of the city in this great work, to urge the above remarks in relation to its future management." CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 201 No one will fail to be struck with the tone of natural solicitude evinced by the chief engineer in the close of…

I am not aware of any indication, further than has been mentioned in the former part of this report, of the probable necessity of further security.Should, however, the appearance of water passing from the bottom of the distributing reservoir, as mentioned in a former page, show any material increase, or if it should not subside in the course of a few mouths, an additional course of concrete should…

Having thus brought our narrative of the progress of the work to its conclusion, it remains to present, as promised, a connected view of the aqueduct, its chief and most striking constructions, its general plan, and such other details as are likely to interest our readers. We are permitted by Mr. Jervis to avail ourselves, for this purpose, of the description published by him on occasion of the …

At 8 miles from the Croton dam, it reaches the village of Sing Sing, and continues south through the villages of Tarrytown, Dobbs' Ferry, Hastings, and Yonkers. At the latter place, it leaves the bank of the Hudson, crosses the valleys of Sawmill river and Tibbits' brook, thence along the side of the ridge that bounds the southerly side of Tibbits' brook valley, to within 34 miles of the Harlem ri…

to be constructed (and is now in progress) at an elevation of 114 feet above the level of high tide in the Harlem river, on which iron pipes are to be laid to convey the water across the valley. The shore on the southerly side of the river is a bold, precipitous rock, rising at an angle of about 30 degrees, to a height of 220 feet, or about 100 feet above the level of the bottom of the aqueduct. A…

It is 1826 "feet long and 836 feet wide on the outside angle of the embankment; containing an area of 35 acres, divided into two divisions, and is (a little over) 5 miles from the City Hall. From the receiving reservoir, a double line of iron pipes three feet in diameter, are laid down in 80th street and 5th Avenue, to convey the water 2..176 miles to the distributing reservoir at Murray Hill. The…

Distributing reservoir - . - 0.080 Iron pipes on bridge over Harlem valley - - 0.275 Do. do. across Manhattan valley - - 0.792 Do. do. between reservoirs - 2.176 40.562 It is proper to add to the above, the length of the Croton reservoir, which has been formed by the erection of the Croton dam and other work necessary to obtain the water, at a suitable level on the Croton river, as without…

The soil, earth, and rock, of the country from the banks of the Croton to the city of New York, is of one general character. The line cuts a small section of marble of inferior quality, about two miles below the Croton dam. In running through the State farm at Sing Sing, it passes a few hundred feet (mostly by a tunnel) in a marble of pretty fair quality for building and again at Dobbs' Ferry and…

A very large proportion, however, of this rock is totally unfit for building purposes. The surface soil is generally a sandy loam, containing a very small proportion of argillaceous earth. Below the surface soil, gravel, sand, boulders, or detached rock, have in most cases been found, and also hard pan to a considerable extent. A large proportion of the open cutting, and nearly the whole tunnel c…

While the main ridge of high land, that lay on the left of the line in Westchester county, controlled the general location, numerous spurs of ridges, of various forms and extent, bounded by deep ravines, rendered it impossible to avoid deep cutting and frequent tunnelling, through ridges, and heavy rilling in the valleys; leaving a very limited proportion of the line in favorable cutting. On the i…

which are in no case less than 40 feet below the grade line, or 53 feet below the top covering of the aqueduct. Besides those above mentioned, there are numerous brooks and valleys of less depth, requiring culverts, and artificial foundations to support the aqueduct. The level of mean tide at Harlem river is 120.66 feet below the grade line of the aqueduct, of which a more particular description w…

The bottom is an inverted arch the chord or span line is 6 feet and 9 inches, and the ; versed sine 9 inches. The masonry of the side walls rises four feet above the springing line of the inverted arch, with a bevel of one inch to a foot rise, or four inches on each side, which brings the width at the top of the side walls, 7 feet and 5 inches forming the ; abutments of the roofing arch, which…

It is laid level across the bottom, three inches thick at the centre of the inverted arch, and curved on its upper surface, to form a bed for the arch, which brings it 12 inches thick at the spring line, and is carried three inches thick under the side walls or abutments. The abutments are 2 feet 8 inches thick at the spring line of the inverted arch, and 2 feet at the top, or spring line of the …

The concrete masonry was formed by mixing one part hydraulic cement, three parts clean sand, and three parts fine broken stone ; in some cases fine pebbles were in part substituted for broken stone. The masonry was all laid up in hydraulic cement, obtained mostly from the hydraulic lime of Ulster Co. The mortar for the stone work was composed of one measure of cement to three of clean sharp sand,…

In the commencement of the work, there was much difficulty in getting the workmen to lay their stone and brick in a thorough, full bed of mortar, which is obviously very important in hydraulic masonry. But a rigid system of inspection, requiring all imperfect work to be taken down and relaid, was successful in obtaining work of great compactness and solidity. The area of a cross-section of masonry…

206 MEMOIR OF THE walls is also increased, and the proportion of cement to sand in concrete and mortar for stone work is one to two and a half. In other respects the masonry in conduit, is similar on foundation walls to that in excavation. The proportion of lime of aqueduct masonry on foundation walls over valleys, to that in excavation, is about as one to eight. The masonry of the aqueduct is cov…

Those of one and a half foot span are of a square form, and are constructed by laying down a foundation of concrete masonry, on which a course of well jointed stone, not less than nine inches thick is laid, forming a stone platform on which well dressed stone is laid, one or two courses high, for the abntments or side walls, and finished by a second course of well dressed flagging, not less than n…

All the culverts are of stone laid in hydraulic cement. There are 33 ventilators constructed to give free circulation of air Ventilators. through the aqueduct. Eleven of them are constructed with doors that admit an easy entrance into the aqueduct. They rise 14 feet above the surface of the ground over the aqueduct, and are constructed with well dressed stone, circular in their form, slightly bev…

The water from the weir or gates, falls into a well,, and is then carried off through a culvert to the outside channel. A stone building with a brick arched roof is erected, so as to inclose the waste weir and its appurtenances. Croton Dam. The southern shore of the Croton river at the point where the dam but not is located, is a gneiss rock moderately sloping up the hill from the water's edge, …

It was intended to make the waste of the dam 100 feet, with abutments of eight feet high; but in consequence of the disappointment in regard to the extent of the rock in the river, it was found difficult to obtain the desired length of the water way, and it was concluded to raise the abutment to 12 feet at the lower end, and 15 feet at the upper end, and allow the water way to remain an average l…

In the north abutment a waste culvert has been constructed, with suitable gates of cast iron, to draw the water down in the reservoir at such times as it may be necessary, to facilitate the making of any repairs that may be required, and to discharge the river at ordinary times during the construction of the work. From this abutment the old channel of the river was filled by an embankment, with …

This work presented all the difficulties it was originally intended to avoid, by carrying the work partially into the hill. It was necessary to form an artificial foundation, and carry up a heavy body of masonry, in the channel of the river, which in some parts had 15 feet in depth below its ordinary level; subject in ordinary seasons to frequent and sudden floods, and affording no means to for…

The form on the lower face commences on a curve, described by a radius of 55 feet, and continues to within about 10 feet of tho top, when a reversed curve, on a radius of 10 feet, carries the face over and meets the back line of the wall. The back line is carried up vertically, with occasional offsets. The main body of the work is laid up of rough stone ; the curved face of large and closely cut …

At 300 feet below the main dam, a second dam is in progress, which is to be 9 feet high, constructed of timber, stone and gravel, which will set the water back over the of the main and form a to check the water as it falls on it. apron dam, pool A coffer dam was constructed in the river to inclose about 120 feet of the work, from which the water was pumped by a steam engine, and a concrete foun…

This dam sets the water of the river back five miles, and forms a reservoir of about four hundred acres, and has rendered it necessary to construct several new roads and bridges as a substitute for those covered by the flow, the principal of which is the Somerstown turnpike. The grounds lightly flowed on the margin, have been excavated so as to give 4 A feet for the least depth of water. From this…

The work is constructed of well dressed stone masonry, laid in hydraulic cement. Open hance walls are carried up over the interior and above the solid spandrels, and united at the top by brick arches. The spaces between the hance walls are carried entirely across the crown of the arch, to afford as much facility as possible for any water that might leak from the conduit to pass off. The depth of a…

It is not probable that any considerable quantity of water would have escaped, if there had been no other security than the stone and brick masonry but it is hardly possible ; to make masonry so perfectly impervious, that it will not show wet, or a sweating appearance on the exterior wall, and the action of frost in this climate, will produce in such cases a deterioration, that may be slow, but…

HARLEM RIVER BRIDGE. The width of the river at the place where the aqueduct line crosses it, is 620 feet at ordinary high water mark as has been before stated, the shore on the southern side is a ; bold rock rising from the water's edge, at an angle of about 30 degrees, to a height of 220 feet on the northern side, a strip of table land forms the shore, and extends back from the ; river 400 fe…

a thin stratum of sand, and this is followed by a stratum of sand and large boulders intermixed below the stratum of boulders, or detached rock, there has been found in the cof- ; fer dams for two piers, Nos. 8 and 9, a compact marble rock, and in the coffers for Nos. 7 and 10, a stratum of clay and sand, that is quite impervious to water, and affords a good medium for piling. The general plan o…

water line is 60 feet to the spring of the arches, and 95 feet above the lowest foundation that has been put down ; the arehes are semicircular, and the height 100 feet to the soffit. or under side, at crown to the top of the parapets 114 feet above the ordinary high water line of the river, and 149 feet above the lowest foundation of the piers that have been commenced. The width across, on the t…

To make the capacity of the pipes for conveying water equal to that of the aqueduct, an extra fall of two feet has been given across the bridge, and the aqueduct on the southern side of the river is constructed two feet lower than the regular grade, to accommodate this arrangement. It is intended in the first place to put down pipes 3 feet in diameter, and to increase the size as the wants of the …

The other pier, (called No. 10 in the general series,) for which a piled foundation has been prepared, is near the centre of the river channel. The stratum of boulders lies much lower at this place, and required an excavation to be carried 30 feet below common high water line, before a suitable stratum for driving piles could be reached. When the excavation was carried to this depth, boring was ma…

them will probably require bearing piles to support them, and rock is expected to be found for the other. The coffer dams are all put down and embanked, and the work of emptying them is soon to commence. A temporary pipe 3 feet in diameter is laid down, (partly on the embankment of the coffer dams,) which now conveys the water across this valley. Gate chambers are arranged at each end of the bridg…

The water is conveyed across this valley by means of iron pipes. Agate chamber is placed on each side, by which a connection is formed between the conduit of masonry and the iron pipes, and gates prepared for regulating the flow of water in the same manner as before described for Harlem River. The width of the valley is 0.7917 miles from gate chamber to gate chamber, and the depth at which the pip…

The style of masonry is similar to that before described for the Sing Sing bridge, and the same method of open walls arid cast iron lining is also adopted. That part of the bridge which has no provision for street arches, is composed of a continuous wall of masonry, carried up on a bevel of one-twelfth its rise to the line of the aquegrade duct, where it is 30 feet wide the outside or face of thi…

212 MEMOIR OF THE tra thickness) has been constructed, and covered with earth to protect the sides and top from frost ; the earth covering being secured by turfing carried over from parapet to parapet. The work presents a very substantial and finished appearance. RECEIVING RESERVOIR. This reservoir is 1826 feet long and 836 feet wide, and including its embankments contains 35.05 acres, and its a…

wall, laid on the face of the embankment, which slopes 1| horizontal to one vertical. The embankments are raised four feet above the top of water line, and are 18 feet wide on the top, excepting the high banks on the sourthern division and the western bank on the northern division, which are 21 feet wide. The greater part of the embankments for the northern division are of moderate height but a po…

It is intended to carry three lines of pipes, each three feet diameter to tributing the distributing reservoir, (at present only two lines are put down,) and the arrangement will allow two pipes to be drawn from either division, so that in the event of emptying one division for repairs, the other would supply two pipes for the distributing reservoir, and all other pipes having a connection with ea…

This arrangement gives the power of directing the water into either division, or both, at the same time, as may be desired. In the division bank, a waste weir is constructed to carry off the surplus water from either division, when it rises to the proper height. DISTRIBUTING RESERVOIR. This reservoir occupies the highest ground in the vicinity, and higher han1 any part of the city south of it the…

The openings are made by an exterior and interior wall, connected at every ten feet by cross walls, which are carried up to within 17 feet of the top, and there connected by a brick arch thrown from one to the other, and the spandrels between them levelled up solid, and a course of concrete put over the whole, 6 inches thick, which reaches a level 10 feet below the top, whence the exterior wail is…

The cross walls are four feet thick at bottom, and have one offset of six inches on each side at 8 feet below the spring line of connecting arches ; they have an opening 6 feet high, and 1^ feet wide, at a suitable level near the bottom, to allow a drain to be formed, to collect any water that mayleak through the work, and carry it off in sewers provided for that purpose, and also to allow persons…

The pilasters are laid in courses, and well dressed ashlar face, and the main wall with coursed rubble work, rough hammer-dressed. Inside of the walls of masonry, a thorough puddled embankment of suitable earth is formed, fifty-eight and one-third feet wide at the line of reservoir bottom, and sloping on the inside face one and a half to one for 24 feet high, and one to one for the remaining 16 fe…

14 MEMOIR OF mile to the Hudson river. In each division there is a waste cock to draw the water from the bottom. The reservoir is designed for 36 feet of water, and, when full, will stand 115 feet above mean tide. The walls rise 4 feet above the water line. An iron railing is to be placed around the walls on top of the cornice. The capacity of this reservoir is 20,000,000 imperial gallons. GRADE L…

This gave an extra height ot - side walls, enlarging the capacity of the aqueduct, more than equivalent to the diminution of declivity, and provides for drawing -from the reservoir to a depth of 6 feet, and still leave the capacity of the conduit 35,000,000 of imperial gallons. The grade of the aqueduct from Harlem river to Manhattan vfilley. is the same as the general declivity in Westchester …

time about ten miles of the upper end was advertised, but in consequence of the proposals being considered too high, only about half of it was contracted for. About the middle of May, the contractors generally entered on the work contracted for. In September following, about 16 miles more was put under contract in May, 1838, the balance of the ; line to Harlem river was put under contract; and t…

aqueduct, -the velocity has several times been ascertained, though not in so perfect a manner as I intend to have it done, as soon as other duties will allow the time necessary. Sufficient data, however, have been ob- * As an illustration of the extreme sensibility of water to the smallest declivity, it may be stated that on a long reach of the Erie canal from Lockport, for a distance of sixty m…

The flow of water through the pipes across Manhattan valley, and also the temporary pipe across Harlem river, being attended with circumstances somewhat different, has led some very intelligent persons to predict, that our expectations would not be realised in these cases it therefore maybe proper to observe that trial has ; proved such predictions to have been not well founded, as the flow thro…

This amount the reservoir would supply for 62 days, without any aid from occasional rains which may safely ; be relied upon, to keep up the required supply from the reservoir, beyond any drought we have ground to apprehend. The supply of the Croton, from its daily flow, aided by this reservoir, may therefore be taken witfrgreat confidence at 35,000,000 gallons, which will be very ample for the w…

It is probable the unfinished foundations will be completed, and the masonry raised above high water by the month of September, and several of the piers be carried up by the close of the season to their full height, ready to receive the arches." While these sheets are passing through the press, an examination of the whole line * of aqueduct has been made with most satisfactory, results ; the wa…

Croton is fed, and the granitic region through which it passes, that no such deposit is made by its waters. " A fine sediment," says Mr. Jervis, in a letter to the author of 22d April, " has been thickness is too deposited on the bottom and sides of the aqueduct, but as yet its depth or small to be measured with much accuracy. As near as I can estimate, it might reach one inch in thickness in thi…

Enough is known, nevertheless, to prove that the conduits are beyond the influence of frost and, constructed as they are, with fidelity and of the best materials, a duration may be anticipated for the Croton aqueduct equal to that of the Aqua Alsietina of Rome, of which it is related that, one thousand years after the Goths had cut off its supply, Cardinal Orsini, in the year 1693, re-introduced…

And now, having concluded the narrative and descriptive parts of the Memoir, it will not be deemed an unreasonable indulgence of patriotism civic or pride, to present a brief and flattering comparison between this New York Aqueduct, and the most magnificent of those constructed in ancient or in modern times, the relative population and wealth of the respective countries or communities by which su…

Curius Dentatus, in the preceding year and the Aqua Marcia, a yet more magnificent work, was commenced in the year of Rome, 608, the same year in which the great rival of Rome, Carthage, surrrendered, and in which the Consul Mummius destroyed Corinth, carrying off a prodigious plunder. From means thus acquired, was this aqueduct probably provided for. These were the two great works of republican …

Caligula the dupe of favorites the slave of lust stupid, bloody and rapacious. We have said these aqueducts were cemented with the blood of slavery, and such undoubtedly was the fact, although we have no direct testimony to offer in its support. But we know that slavery was coeval with the foundation of Rome for although Romu- ; lus, as it is related by Livy, at the commencement, and in order t…

It was from indignation at this state of things, consequent upon the possession of immense landed estates and many slaves, by a few proprietors, that Tiberius Gracchus was stimulated to propose the Agrarian law.t It may be assumed with confidence, that the slave population of Rome, was from an early period, at least equal to that of the freemen ; and as wealth and luxury increased, and it became…

purporting to be derived from Niebuhr, Wachsmuth, Heeren, and especially Professor Schlosser, of Heidelberg, we find the distinct statement, without reference, however, to any authorities, both that public works were built by contract, and that the laborers were slaves. " The " undertook no Romans," says this writer, buildings on account of the State, but had them performed by contract with priv…

of a princely patrician, Appius, who looked indeed upon his family as his country, but who looked upon his country as his family a man who may be called the express image of the ancient patriciate of the sternness, vigor, simplicity and constancy of the old Roman nobility for the first time since the kingly era, employed the revenues of the State, greatly augmented as these were by the possessi…

At the same time he announced by these means the greatness of Rome to the whole world, and secured immortal glory to himself."* In regard to the receipts from the water of the aqueducts, coll ected from the gardens and buildings to which they were distributed, we find upon a more careful examination of " Frontinus, an incidental statement, that this revenue, amounting to sestertium C. C. L. mill…

Of modern works, the Canal de L'Ourcq, in France, by its extent and the copiousness of its supply, is among the most remarkable. But that too, was a government undertaking, feebly prosecuted through a period of some thirty years, and completed at last at a great expense, in incurring which, or in the means for its repayment, the people had no voice. The canal cost 24,326,278 francs, or near five …

This is wholly a royal work. In Great Britain, all the water-works seem to have been private speculations, in which the hope of gain was the alluring cause except, indeed, the original undertaking of Hugh Myddleton, to introduce the New river into London. He certainly appears to have acted for the general good, and to have made great personal sacrifices for its promotion. In other instances, the c…

Having resolved on the work, they carried it forward with a degree of constancy and energy alike remarkable, so that in the space of five years, an aqueduct was completed, which, for the natural difficulties overcome, the substantial character of its structures, the very remarkable verification, in the results, of the previous calculations of the engineers as to the flow of the waters, and the qua…

In Great Britain, it had grown into an article of faith, that the estimates of engineers for like works, were in no wise to be relied on, and certainly the experience of London justified such incredulity. The whole work was executed by contractors, employing free labor, was paid for by a single city, where slavery is t unknown, and is designed and calculated to supply the wants of any population w…

Its reservoir is on a hill behind the town, at an elevation of 300 feet. The " Grandes Eaux," or famous water works of Versailles, are in like manner mere holiday play-things, which on the first Sunday of every month are exhibited for the admiration of the crowds which then throng the avenues of that beautiful and sumptuous palace ; but at all other times, the sea-gods and the sea-horses, and …

... ----- Actual money cost of the aqueduct to the distributing reservoir at Murray's Hill $7,983,503 12 Add, for procuring and laying water pipes Total expenditure ------ Interest on water stock to 1st August, inclusive Sundry water loan, and other expenses ...... - - - 1,878,839 51 1,577,459 43 12,818 55 ".*-'. 811,452,61961 The whole amount of stock authorised to be issued, is twelve …

be the works of conquerors and kings, they have not equalled in forecast of design, and beneficence of result, the noble aqueduct, constructed at their own cost, by the freemen of the single city of New York. THE CELEBRATION OP THB FOURTEENTH OCTOBER, 1842. THE CELEBRATION FOURTEENTH OCTOBER, 1842 IT was natural that so great an event as the completion of the Croton Aqueduct, should be deeme…

to those who transmitted the blessing with veneration, and that will be for ever remembered as an evidence of the liberality of the citizens of New York, the importance of which is equalled only by the legacy handed down to us by the sires of the Revolution, for, while the one ensures to us prosperity, together with freedom and religious liberty, the other secures to us and our posterity that heal…

The Joint Committee on the Croton Aqueduct, to whom was referred the preamble and resolution presented by Alderman Lee, July 5, 1842, in relation to celebrating the event of the introduction of the Croton Water into the city, presented the following report, recommending the adoption of the preamble and resolution referred to them, together with the resolution annexed to this report Respectfully…

The Committee have sought among their fellow-citizens for an indication of their opinion upon a public celebration, and are pleased to find all are anxious to unite, as brethren owning a common property in this good structure, in celebrating its glorious completion. The Fire Department have already made extensive preparations for such an occasion, and the Committee hope that the Common Council wil…

The Committee think that the introduction of the water cannot be properly celebrated, until the fountain is so far completed as to admit of an exhibition of its powers, and believing the same will be completed by the 14th day of October next, the Committee now designate that day as the proper one for the celebration. The Committee recommend the adoption of the annexed preamble and resolution, and …

The preamble and resolution were adopted, and the blank in the latter was filled with $2000. The President then appointed Aldermen Davies, West, Smith, Lee, and Crolius, such Committee on the part of this Board. The Board of Assistants concurred in these proceedings, and on their part appointed Assistant Aldermen Nesbitt, William Dodge, Daniel Ward, H. C. Atwell, and C. F. Dodge, as members of t…

The Committee appointed to make arrangements for celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city of New York on the 14th instant Respectfully Report : That, having taken into consideration the great importance of this stupendous monument of the enterprise of the citizens of New York a work which cannot but create in the breast of every citizen, a feeling of pride at its completio…

Your Committee, feeling desirous that the completion of this proud monument of liberality and enterprise, should be celebrated with such public demonstrations of joy as a work so beneficial to our city deservedly demands, invited the co-operation of their fellow citizens connected with the various trades, societies and associations, either literary, beneficial or benevolent, and most cheerfully ha…

228 CELEBRATION OF THE Trustees of Williamsburgh, all of which have been accepted, except that to Philadelphia, who have been obliged to decline on account of its being the day on which the new Board is sworn into office a circumstance much to be regretted, from the fact, that from the most valuable information has been received in reference to authorities of that city the the work and the kind m…

The number of vocal performers are rising two hundred, male and female ; an adequate number of instrumental performers are engaged, and, on the whole, it is presumed that this will form one of the most interesting points in the day's festivity. The splendid banner, painted by Mr. Smith, and intended as a present to the Fire Department by the city authorities, will be presented by His Honor the Ma…

The line will be formed under the direction of the Grand Marshal and aids, in Broadway the right on Battery Place at nine o'clock, and will move precisely at ten o'clock. The whole line will countermarch up Broadway to Union Place down the Bowery to Grand- street up Grand street to East Broadway down East Broadway to Chathamstreet down Chatham-street to the Park. The Committee are desirous that th…

I should be most truly happy to be present at an event so interesting to your city as the celebration proposed for the 14th, and to which you have invited me. Circumstances, however, deny to me the pleasure of such a visit. I heartily rejoice with the citizens of New York, in the completion of a work so vastly important to the health, and comfort of its inhabitants. It is justly to be classed amo…

I pray you to accept grateful acknowledgments for the honor done me, by my the invitation to join with the Common Council of your great and illustrious city, on the 14th inst, in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city. Detained by indispensable engagements at home, I regret that I shall be deprived of the pleasure of participating with you, in the festive enjoyment of an …

of the Croton water into the city. which is derived from the successful Participating, very fully, in the gratification completion of that great work, and sincerely thankful for this mark of respect on the part of the Common Council, I am, gentlemen^ Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, M. VAN BUREN. To CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jun'r., / WEST, and E. D. \ Committee. WM. DODGE, Esq'rs., $…

Ruggles, Union Square, With very high respect, Your obedient servant, WM. H. SEWARD. To CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jr.,~| EDWARD D. WEST, and *> Committee., $c New York.. WILLIAM DODGE, Esqrs. J From Lt. Governor Bradish. Albany, November 1, 1842. GENTLEMEN: I am just favored with your invitation, in behalf of the Common Council of the city ofNew York, " to join with them on the 14th day of October…

afforded me the highest gratification, to unite with the Common Council and citizens of 232 CELEBRATION OF THE New York, in the celebration of an event, as important to the interests, as it is honorable to the character, of your city. The completion of the Croton Aqueduct, and the supplying of a great city with pure and wholesome water, would have illustrated any age of any Their achievement is…

family, I have received, through you, the polite invitation of the Common Council, to attend the celebration of the introduction of the Croton Water in the city of New York, on the 14th instant. I have some doubts whether I shall be able to avail myself of the invitation ; I will, however, be with you if I can. Very respectfully Your obedient servant, S. YOUNG. To CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jr.,-] …

CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jr., ) EDWARD D. WEST, } New York. WM. DODGE, ) From the Attorney General of the /State of New York. October 3d, 1842. GENTLEMEN : I have the honor to be in the receipt of your favor of the 1st inst., inviting me, on behalf of the Common Council of the city of New York, to join with them, on the 14th inst., in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city of…

Absence from this place, on official business, prevented me, until the 16th instant, from receiving your polite invitation to join the Common Council of New York, in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into your great city. The object of this note is to assure you, gentlemen though at a late period that I to express to you and the Common Council my gratefully appreciate your invitati…

Tyrants have left monuments which call forth admiration, but no work of a free people, for magnitude and utility, equals this great enterprise. That such an event CROTON AdUEDUCT. 335 should call forth an expression of admiration, and that the Common Council should afford an opportunity for so doing, will ever redound to the honor of the city. Most happy shall I be, to assemble and participate…

Schmidt has much pleasure in accepting the invitation with which the Corporation of the city have honored him, to join with them on the 14th inst., in the celebration of the day. 5th October, 1842. 236 CELEBRATION OP THE From the Consul of the Netherlands. The Consul of the Netherlands will have the honor of joining with the Hon. Common Council of the City, on the 14th inst, in celebrating the…

From the Consul of Sweden and Norway. Consulate of Sweden and Norway, in New York, October 6th, 1842. As Mr. Zachrisson will not be in town on the 14th instant, he regrets that he cannot accept of the invitation from the Common Council of the city of New York, to join with them in the Celebration of the introduction of the Croton Water into the city of New York. To the Common Council of the City …

New- York, October 6th, 1842. To the Committee of the Croton Water. SIRS: The Consul General of the Two Sicilies, in acknowledging the receipt of the polite invitation of theCommon Council of the city of New York, has the honor to inform the Committee, that he will be most happy to join them on the appointed day. Respectfully your obedient servant, R. MARTRYCELL. To C. CROLIUS, } WEST, E. D…

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to join with you in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the City of New York, to which absence from the city alone prevented my answering before, and I now do it, regretting exceedingly the necessity which compels me to a further absence, and consequently deprives me of the pleasure of participating with you in the ce…

Common Council of this city, on the 14th instant, in celebrating the introduction of the Croton Water into the City of New York, I have delayed until now to acknowledge the honor of your invitation, in the hope that I should be enabled to be present on that interesting occasion. But fearing that my engagements for that day will deprive me of the pleasure, I pray you will accept my regret and excu…

I have had the honor of receiving through you an invitation from the Common Council of the city of New York, inviting myself and the officers of the Navy Yard, " to join with them, on the 14th day of October next, in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city of New York ;" and I beg to assure the Committee, that the Officers and myself will have the greatest pleasure in part…

The Boys of the Naval School will be in attendance if the weather should be favorable, if not, the want of wi nter clothing, which has not been received on board, will prevent their appearance. Will the Committee please state the time and place of meeting for them on that occasion. Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, W. C. WETMORE. Commander. To Messrs. CLARKSON CROLIUS, J E.D. WEST, > A…

J udge Belts accepts with pleasure the invitation of the Honorable Common Council to unite with them in the Croton celebration to-morrow. From the United States District Attorney. Mr. Ogden Hoffman accepts, with great pleasure, the invitation of the Common Council to join with them in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city of New York. October 13, 1842. The first Water …

Committee, etc. GENTLEMEN : Your polite invitation to join in the interesting ceremonies of celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city of New York, I received this day, and it will afford me much pleasure to attend the same. The subject of introducing pure and wholesome water in the city, was one that early engaged my attention when entering public life, and it does afford me…

French, Esq., Resident Engineer. Engineer's Office, 1st division Croton Aqueduct, Sing Sing, October 11, 1842. GENTLEMEN : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, and to signify my acceptance, of the invitation to join with the Common Council of the city of New York in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water, which you have so kindly favored me with. With much respect, Your obedi…

P. HASTINGS. Hon. C. CROLIUS, Jr., ) E. D. WEST, and > Committee. WM. DODGE, i 246 CELEBRATION OF THE From the Assistant Engineer. Sing Sing, October llth, 1842. GENTLEMEN : The undersigned acknowledges the honor of an invitation of the Common Council " introduction of the of the city of New York, to join with them in celebrating the Croton water into the city of New York," and accepts the s…

Your letter reached me at this place this moment. I regret very much that my public duties here will prevent my being with, you to-morrow, at the celebration of one of the most beneficial works in our country, and which cannot fail to promote in a large degree the health and comfort of your city. With my thanks to the Common Council, for their polite invitation, I remain, Your very obedient se…

The Common Council of the Borough of Princeton, accept with great pleasure the invitation of the Common Council of the City of New York, to join with them on the 14th inst, in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city. Very respectfully, Your ob't serv't, ALEX. M. CUMMING, Mayor. To CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jun'r., ) WEST, and E. D, } Committee. WM. DODGE, Esq'rs., ) From the …

This corporation connot but be suitably impressed with the value of such an invitation, and they have instructed me to return for answer their acceptance of it, and their congratulation at the completion of a work so magnificent in design and so successful in execution. They propose to reach the Battery Hotelby the 8 o'clock boat, on Friday morning, which will probably reach the city by half past …

Mayor and Common Council of Newark, regard the great work referred to in your communication, as an enduring monument of the enterprise of the citizens of New York, and also of the ability and vigor of those Councils which have conferred so many practical benefits and advantages on the Commercial Metropolis of our country. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your ob't. serv't., JOSEPH N.…

CROLIUS, Jr., ~) E. D. WEST, } Committee. WILLIAM DODGE, Esquires. J From the Mayor of Philadelphia. Mayor's Office, Philadelphia, ( October 7, 1842. \ GENTLEMEN : acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 24th September, I have the honor to inviting the Select and Common Councils and the Mayor of this city to participate in the ceremonies of the 14th instant, intended to celebrate the …

While the authorities of this city are thus obliged to give up the pleasure you tender to their acceptance, they avail themselves of the opportunity, to offer their warm congratulations to their sister city upon her successful accomplishment of this magnificent enterprise. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, J. M. SCOTT, Mayor of Philadelphia. To GEORGE F. NESBITT, HENRY…

CROLIUS, E D. WEST, WM. DODGE, Esqrs. 252 CELEBRATION OF THE From the President of Williamsburgli Trustees. Williamsburgh, October 13th, 1842. GENTLEMEN : Your polite invitation in behalf of the Common Council of the city of New York, bearing date the 26th day of September, and post marked, New York, October 2d, did not come to hand till this morning. I shall call a special meeting of the Bo…

From the Common Council of Albany. Albany, 4th October, 1842. GENTLEMEN : In behalf of the Common Council of the city of Albany, we have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an invitation from the Corporation of New York to attend the celebration of the introduction of the Croton water into your city. By a resolution of the Common Council, unanimously adopted last evening, the invitation wa…

your Common Council, the thanks of our Board and my own, for the invitation, and our acceptance of it. The period fixed for the celebration is one when our citizens are usually much occupied with business, which, with previous engagements, will prevent a full attendance from Mir Board. Our intercourse with New York is so frequent and intimate, that we are always "at home" in your good city and wh…

GENTLEMEN: Your invitation to the Superintendent of the Military Academy, and the Corps of Cadets, to attend the Croton water celebration to-morrow, has just been received. The permanent Superintendent of the Academy, is at present absent, and during his absence I do not feel myself authorised to accept for the Cadets, your flattering invitation, I must express, however, for the Corps, my high ap…

John Anthon was called to the Chair, and John W. Edmonds appointed Secretary. On motion of Mr. Daniel Lord, Jr., it was Resolved, That the members of the Bar will co-operate with the Common Council, and their fellow citizens, in celebrating the completion of the Croton Water Works. Resolved, That Messrs. John W. Edmonds, James W. Gerard, Daniel Lord, Jr., Robert J. Dillon, and George Griffen, …

DA VIES, SMITH, WEST, &c., Committee, of Arrangements Croton Celebration, Sfc GENTLEMEN : In answer to your communication, dated September, 22d, 1842, the New York and Sandy Hook Pilots would be gratified to have a situation in line assigned them at the celebration of the great work of bringing pure and wholesome water into our city. They will number some thirty or more, with a banner, &c. You…

WEST, WM. DODGE, Esq'rs. GENTLEMEN : I have this day received your polite invitation from the Common Council of the city of New York, to join with them on the 14th instant, to celebrate the introduction of the Croton water into the City of New York. With pleasure I accept your invitation, and will be in New York at the time appointed. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, Your ob't. serv't., PIER…

Accept my very grateful acknowledgments for your kindness in extending to me an invitation to attend the celebration of the introduction of the Croton water into the city, on the 14th instant. Several engagements interfere to prevent my acceptance of the favor, and it might not comport very well with one of my age and habits to join in the 'parade, and mingle in the festivities of the celebration …

That project, doubtless, happily for the city, proved abortive. That the present great undertaking should have succeeded in so reasonable a time from its commencement, in the midst of financial difficulties, redound most highly to the credit of the authorities, the committee, the engineers, the artificers, and the public. CROTON AQUEDUCT. 259 That the city has enjoyed the blessings of peace and…

Palmer will have great pleasure in accepting the invitation of the Common Council of the city of New York, to join them on the 14th inst., in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city. Globe Hotel, 7th October, 1842. The Engineer and Superintendent, we believe, of the Fairmount Water Works, was prevented by indispensable engagements, from his being present, and thus sent his…

With great respect, Your obedient servant, FREDERICK GRAFF. To Messrs. CLARKSON CROLIUS,Jun.,1 E. D. WEST, *> Committee of Invitation. WILLIAM DODGE, The fourteenth of October arrived, and a more beautiful day never broke upon the earth. A brilliant sun, a sky veiled but not clouded, and a breezy atmosphere were in harmony with the occasion, and with the joyousness of the multitudinous populat…

Timpson, Chairman of late Joint Committee on Fire and Water, said, Mr. MAYOR Want of time compels me to be brief, and to exclude some remarks I had intended to make on this occasion. I hold in my hand a resolution which was presented to the Common Council by Thomas R. Lee, Esq. late Assistant Alderman of the 8th Ward, and unanimously adopted by both branches of the City Government, and approved…

At the time this resolution was offered, it was supposed that the celebration of the introduction of the water of the Croton into this city would take place on the approaching 4th of July, the day we celebrate as that on which our glorious national independence was declared, and the committee to whom it was intrusted, consisting of Abraham Hatfield, Morris Franklin, Daniel Ward, Daniel D. Briggs, …

On the other side of the banner the Queen of Cities, represented by a female wearing a crown, is calling attention to a picture, a view of the dam on the Croton River the origin of the aqueduct. On the lower part of the border surrounding the picture, are emblazoned the arms of the city of New- York in basso relievo. The silk on which the design is portrayed, measures nine and a half feetby se…

President and Trustees of the Fire Department, " I have been deputed, by a resolution which has just been read to you, to present on the part of the Common Council, to the Department of which you are officers, this Banner, as a testimonial of their high approbation of the services rendered by the Fire Department, and as evidence of their esteem and regard for the members composing that departmen…

This occasion, the celebration of the arrival of the Croton water in our city, is happily selected for the presentation of this banner, as it is to be hoped that among the many important benefits to result from that work, not the least will be to relieve your department of a great proportion of its dangerous and arduous duties. The emblems upon this standard are indicative of the foresight and ene…

The Mayor was replied to by Adam Pentz, President of the Fire Department, as follows : " In behalf of the Fire Department, I thank you cordially for the presentation of this elegant token of the approbation and kind feeling of the Common Council, and for the handsome and complimentary terms in which you have been pleased to convey it. I am sensible that no language of mine, could give any th…

The occasion upon which we are assembled, commemorating the completion of one of the most stupendous public works of the Union or of the age, furnishing so rational a cause for rejoicing, is welcomed by no portion of your fellow citizens with more sincere pleasure, than by that portion which I have the honor to represent. While some have looked merely to the introduction of pure and wholesome wa…

much to say, that nearly all the great fires by which large portions of our city have been . devastated, might have been early arrested, had the department possessed the same facilities for obtaining an abundant supply of water, as that which they will now enjoy from the introduction of the Croton. In view of these facilities, and animated by this expression on the part of the city government,…

The column will move at 10 o'clock, in the following order, viz : Escort of Cavalry from General Storms' Brigade. THE GRAND MARSHAL, General Gilbert Hopkins, accompanied by his Special Aids r General Prosper M. Wetmore, General Nathan B. Graham, Colonel Florence Mahoney, Colonel Henry P. Robertson, Colonel William W. Tompkins, Captain James Wardell. Military Guard of honor to the Grand Marsh…

Members of the Common Council, with staves of office. 6. Ex-Members of the Common Council. 7. Governor and Lieutenant Governor and Suite (mounted.) 8. Members of Congress and State Legislature. 9. Common Council of Brooklyn. 10. Trustees of Williamsburg. 11, Common Council of Albany. CROTON AQUEDUCT. 265 12. Common Council of Troy. 13. do do Jersey City, Newark, Elizabethtown, New Brunswi…

Pentz, assisted by Mr. John T. Dodge, and Mr. George C. Ring, aids to the Grand Marshal, comprising The Officers and Members of the Fire Department. FIFTH DIVISION, Under the direction of Colonel Philbrick, assisted by Mr. James Nesbitt, aids to the Grand Marshal. Comprising 1. Masonic Fraternity. 2. Contractors and Workmen of the Water Works. 3. Typographical Society and Printers. 4. North…

Officers of the United States Government. 12. Pupils of the Deaf and Dumb Institution. EIGHTH DIVISION, Under the direction of Surgeon Gen. Pennell, assisted by Col. Robt. C. Morris, aids to the Grand Marshal. 1. St. Nicholas Society. 2. St. George's Society. 3. Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. 4. Officers of the Irish Emigrant Society. 5. Hibernian Universal Benevolent Society. 6. Hibernian…

Common Council and Mayors of New York, Brooklyn, Albany, Troy, Jersey City, Newark, Elizabeth town, New Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton, and Trustees of Williamsburg, No. 8 City Hall. 3. Governor and Staff, Heads of Departments, members of Congress and State Legislature, and State Society of the Order of Cincinnati, No. 4 City Hall. 4. Ex-Mayors and members of the Common Council of New York and Br…

M., and will be as follows :The right of the procession will move from the Battery, thence up State street, around the Bowling Green and up Broadway to Union Park, around the Park and down the Bowery to Grand street, through Grand street to East Broadway, down East Broadway and Chatham street to the Park. Should the weather not prove propitious on the 14th instant, the celebration will be postpone…

The remaining Divisions will be dismissed in the Park front of the City Hall. The several societies and guests previous to dismissal will witness the ceremonies in front of the City Hall, as follows : An address" by Samuel Stevens, Esq., President of the Board of State Water Commissioners, upon delivering the custody of the Croton Water Works to the Water Commissioners of the Corporation. A reply…

The details of this most numerous and imposing procession ever seen in any American city, cannot be given without more space than we have at command. The grand Canal celebration in its aquatic display, exhibited a feature wanting in this but in respect of numbers present in the procession, and in the thronged streets as spectators, this exceded that, as indeed it could hardly fail to do, taking in…

There was the man of war and the man of peace the soldier and the sailor the master and the apprentice the father and the son the man of words and the man of deeds the mace and the axe the plough and the sword the cannon and the bible the music of the harp of ten strings, and the hoarse notes of the martial band. The church bells mingled their merriest peals, the cannon spoke at morning, noon, an…

The Butchers were as numerous and respectable a body of men as could be picked from the city or any where else, and they were numeous enough now to slay a million of hecatombs of cattle, or to provide flesh for ten legions of the most carniverous of the human family. The Temperance men, boys and women, for women were present, and many of them there were, presented a grand appearance, and added man…

Anderson, Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, for the detailed statement furnished by him of the magnificent display made on the occasion, by the Firemen, both of other cities and our own. The procession was thus constituted : Escort of Cavalry from General Storms' Brigade. The Grand Marshal, General Gilbert Hopkins, accompanied by his Aids, General Prosper W. Wetmore, Colonel Henry P. Rober…

Flank Company of the 222d Regiment. Battalion President's Guards. Brass Band. The Light Guard. Band of Music. The German Battalion, consisting of the Jefferson Grenadiers, Jefferson Guard, and Jefferson Rifle Corps. Colonel Hall's command. Troop of Horse Artillery. Third Regiment Washington Greys, preceded by a band. The Ninth Regiment National Cadets, preceded by a band. SECOND DIVISION. Under…

Common Council of Jersey City, Newark Elizabethtown, New Brunswick, Princeton, and Trenton. Officers of the Corporation. County Officers. Engineers and Officers of the Water Works. Foreign Consuls, in barouches. The second division embraced a body of our most aged and distinguished civilians. Some were on foot, some on horseback, and some in carriages. The authorities were on foot, and with the…

Band of Music. Company of City Guards. Battalion of Washington Guards, Montgomery Guards, and Franklin Blues, preceded by Music. Pilots' Society, with banner and band of music. FOURTH DIVISION, Under the direction of Brigadier General Pentz, assisted by Mr. John T. Dodge and Mr. George C. Ring, Aids to the Grand Marshal, comprising the Officers and Members ol the Fire Department. Order of the …

Neptune Hose Company, of Philadelphia, numbering 56 men, in black fire dress, also, with glazed hats and capes, drawing a splendid four-wheeled hose carriage, silver mounted, and with appropaiate painting and designs. These two Companies arrived by rail road from Philadelphia on the day previous, and were received at the landing in Jersey City, by a Committee appointed by the New York Fire Departm…

They were followed in the procession by Engine Company No. 3, of Hudson, with their Engine drawn by 32 men, and also some members of Engine Company No. 8, of Albany. This Company had been received and escorted by Engine Company No. 20, of this city. They were followed by Engine Company No. 1, of Poughkeepsie Engine painted black and gilt, drawn by 35 men ; uniform fire caps, red shirts, and dar…

Immediately after them came the Fire Department of Jersey City, which had also been invited, and were also escorted by the same Companies. It consisted of Fire Engines No. 1 and 2, each drawn by about 40 men in fire dress. They were followed by The Fire Department of Williamsburg, represented by the Chief and Assistant Engineers, and Engines No. 1 and 2, each with about 75 men. them came the Fi…

Eagle Engine Company No. 4, painted red, with blue and gold, drawn by 60 men same uniform. Constitution Engine Company No. 7 painted white and blue drawn by 125 " men same dress as above. Motto, Ready and Willing." American Engine Company No. 9 painted black and gilt. The back carved with two Angels, with their wings forming an arch, completely gilded the design on the back, a full length figure…

White, Joseph W. Long, Owen W. Brennan, John T. Rollins, John Rese. The Grand and Assistant Marshals were dressed in the uniform of the Engineers of the Fire Department, viz white fire cap, blue coat and pantaloons. The line was formed : in Hudson street, and extended from Christopher to Reed streets. The Procession moved at 9 A. M., down Hudson to Chambers street, to and the Broadway to Batt…

the Demon of Fire, by the aid of his skilful and intrepid allies the firemen of New York. On the other side is the Queen of Cities, calling attention to a picture, representing the Dam at the Croton River, the origin of the aqueduct. On the lower part of the border, surrounding the picture, are emblazoned the arms of the city of New York, in basso relievo. The silk on which the design is portrayed…

The banner was presented to the Fire Department on the morning of the procession, by his Honor the Mayor, Robert H. Morris, with an appropriate address, and was received by A. P. Pentz, Esq., President of the Fire Department. Next to the Banner came the Grand Marshal and two aids, followed by the officers of the Fire Department Fund. The Exempt Firemen followed, and were succeeded by Hudson Fire…

wheeled hose carriage, painted black and gold. Banner on one side, an eagle with a fire in the back ground, on the other, the burning of the National Theatre. Next came, Mutual Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. Truck drawn by 40 men, in citizen's CROTON AQUEDUCT. 277 dress, dark throughout ; truck painted green, with black stripes. Banner represents the name and number of the Company, surmounted…

Engine painted black and gold ; the painting on the back represents the last scene in the tragedy of Metamora. Drawn by 32 men, dress same as above ; the Banner borne by 6 lads in uniform ; the front represents the Goddess of Liberty, fostering Commerce and Trade, in the distance buildings on fire, and engines at work. On the back is a view of the burning of the Bowery Theatre, the whole surmou…

Four wheeled hose carriage, painted green, polished brass scrolls and mountings ; a gilded arch sprung, from the top of the reel, surmounted by an eagle, from whose talons garlands of natural flowers were carried to the four extremities of the carriage. Drawn by 40 men, uniform as above. Banner, borne by a member and supported by two boys in fire dress, was of crimson silk, yellow fringe and tass…

Neptune stands quietly looking on, and Manhattan is about retiring, as his services are no longer required. The whole surmounted by a spread eagle. Small banner, with the name and number of the company. Wave Hose Company, No. 7. Two wheeled Hose Carriage, painted drab, drawn by 20 men. Same uniform as before, preceded by a banner and two American flags. Manhattan Engine Company No. 8. Engine pain…

Eastburn's church in Canal-street, the hose carriage in the fore on the reverse, a portrait of the hose carriage, and a fountain in the ground ; " distance ; motto, Duty, though in Peril." Staff, surmounted by a gilt fire cap, with the number of the Company ; banner, borne by a member and supported by two youths in fire dress. Columbian Hose Company, No. 9. Four wheeled Hose Carriage, painted s…

Two wheeled Hose Carriage, painted blue, red and gilt trimmed with dahlias and other flowers, drawn by 25 men uniform as ; ; above. Oceanus Engine Company, No. 11. Painted dark blue, black and gold, the back represents the burning of Troy and death of Achilles. Drawn by 37 men in same uniform as before. GulickHose Company, No. 11. Two wheeled Hose Carriage, red and gold. Drawn by 18 men in same…

Banner borne by 3 men, representing the Park, " We City Hall and Park Row, the company stretching their hose. Motto on banner, come to conquer and to save." Columbian Engine Company, No. 14. Engine painted red and maroon, with gilt. Design on the back represents an Indian maid parting from her lover. In the distance are seen several canoes approaching, in one of which is the chief to whom she ha…

Banner, on front an eagle and hooks and ladders ; on back, burning of the Merchants' Exchange, the truck in the foreground. Victory Hose Company, No. 15. Two wheeled hose carriage, dark green, striped with gold. Painting on box, the tomb of a member of the company. Drawn by 29 men in same uniform as above. Banner represents the tomb of a member of the company who was killed by a falling wall. T…

Engine painted white and red; drawn by 62 men ; uniform as above. Banner, representing a fire. Franklin Hose Company, No. 18. Two wheeled Hose Carriage ; scarlet, blue and gold ; decorated with flowers. Drawn by 20 men uniform as above. La Fayette Engine Company, No. 19. Engine red with gilt pannels. Drawn by 26 men ; same uniform as above. American Hose Company, No. 19. Two wheeled Hose Carr…

Design on the back, representing the Goddess of Liberty. On the leader jacket, painting of a statue spouting water. Drawn by 35 men. Same uniform as before. Banner inscribed with the name and number of the Company and decorated with flowers. Protector Fire Engine Company, No. 22. Painted red and blue ; decorated with Brass torches and guide flags, with the name and number dahlias, artificial flo…

Drawn by 18 men, two boys bearing torches. Uniform as above. Cataract Engine Company No. 25. Engine painted black and gilt, brass torches, signal lantern, and 4 small guide flags, all carried by boys. Engine drawn by 53 men, same uniform as above. Jefferson Engine Company No. 26. Engine painted blue, with gilt stripes, design on the back Thos. Jefferson delivering the Declaration of Independence…

Carriage drawn by 23 men ; uniform, fire caps, blue shirts, and dark pants. Union Hook and Ladder Company No. 5. Truck painted red with gold stripes. Ladders painted white and blue a boy standing on the Truck, bearing the motto, " We ; are pledged to abstain from all intoxicating drinks ; Banner representing a fire, and the 882 CELEBRAION OF THE men in the act of pushing in a front wall ; dr…

Two wheeled Hose Carriage, painted black and gilt ; in the centre of the carriage was placed a banner, bearing the name and number of the Company, an American flag on each side, a half circle erected on the front of the scrolls, bearing a live eagle, having suspended from his neck, a heart, bearing the number of the Company carriage decorated with ribbons drawn by 16 men, same ; ; uniform as ab…

with ribbons, on each side of the Engine, and in the centre of the rope, a boy bearing a wreath of dahlias Engine drawn by 52 men, dressed with fire caps, red shirts, dark pants,, ; and white patent leather belts.. Putnam Hose Company No. 31. Two wheeled Hose Carriage, painted blue- and gilt ; on each side of the carriage an American flag ; in the centre a blue flag, with the word " drawn by 2…

side of the Engine, two boys, bearing torches and guide flags, Engine drawn by 50 men, in same uniform as above. Richard M. Johnson Hose Company No. 32. Two wheeled Hose Carriage, painted black, striped with red and gold, drawn by 21 men, same uniform. Black Joke Engine Company No. 33. Engine painted black, with gold stripes, drawn on a stage, richly carpeted and festooned, by 4 horses, men surr…

D. 1807." Engine drawn by 85 Engine Company, No. 34, men in same uniform as above. Fifteenth Ward Hose Company, No, 35. Two wheeled hose carriage, painted light blue drawn by 19 men same uniform. ; ; Equitable Engine Company, No. 36. Engine black and claret, striped with gilt. Design on back representing sailors rescuing a mother and child from the sea. Engine decorated with long pipe, eagle, …

Large engine built in Philadelphia, on the plan of engines used in that city. Engine painted green, with bronze mouldings mountings of Prince's metal, with side lamps of same. On the front slide board of condenser case, is a painting of an eagle perched on a rock in the sea, bearing in his talons " the motto of the company, " Semper paratus on the back slide a painting of the New York city Coat o…

Engine painted yellow, with red and gilt stripes. Painting on back, a pedestal, on which is a bust of De Witt Clinton, with the genius of Agriculture, crowning him with a wreath of flowers. At the base of the pedestal is an American eagle. On the right, a view of the city of Albany on the left a distant view of the Erie canal on the front slide, a view of the Erie Canal Aqueduct at Rochester. On t…

The Engine Company No. 3, of New Haven, consisted of 38 men, in red shirts, fire caps, and dark pants, drawing their engine, painted blue and cream color. Mechanic Hook and Ladder Company, No. 7. Truck elegantly dressed with a profusion of dahlias and other flowers, extending from a small ladder raised in the centre, to each end. Banner, representing Neptune delivering the keys to Charity, to reli…

Design on back, Mazeppa bound to a wild horse ; drawn by 30 men, same uniform. CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 285 Mohican Company, No. 50. Red and gilt. Design on the back, the city Coat of Arms ; drawn by 40 men, uniform as before. The Committee of Arrangements, consisted of the following : HENRY B. HINSDALE, Foreman of Hose Company, No. 8., Chairman. CORNELIUS V. ANDERSON, Chief Engineer. ELIJAH C. KIN…

While one branch, therefore, were moving into the line on Broadway, by marching towards the Battery, another in the procession were marching up. In this double line the different Fire Companies passed and re-passed for three-quarters of an hour. The citizen firemen paid marked respect to their guests, and one another as they passed, either by moving on with their heads uncovered or by raising thei…

La Fayette Lodge, No. 64. Their banner is a full length portrait of La Fayette, standing on a hand, emblematic of the career of the General through life, supported by the hand of Providence. Mechanic's Lodge, No. 31. Banner representing the emblems of the Craft. Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 27. A scarlet banner with the three primitive Grand Masters assembled at the East of Jerusalem. Hiram Abiff exh…

The Officers of the Grand Lodge. Grand Tiler, with drawn sword. Four Grand Stewards with white rods. Grand Standard of the Order, with four supporters. This banner is in the form of a Masonic apron, of white silk, and purple satin flap. On the centre is the arms of the Ancient Freemasons ; on the flap the name of " THE GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK ;" the whole surrounded by a broad bor…

Deputy Grand Master, and The Most Worshipful Grand Master, the venera. ble MORGAN LEWIS, in a barouche, supported by four Grand Deacons with blue staves. Contractors and Workmen of the Water Works. A large main Pipe drawn by four horses. A truck surmounted by a banner with the inscription " Croton Aqueduct Depart- " ment," bearing several pipes, and workmen, with red caps, on which was inscri…

288 CELEBRATION OF THE The Printing Press was the same that Benjamin Franklin had worked upon in London, and on the same car was one of the new fashioned ones of our day, occupied in striking off an ode written for the occasion. The North River Navy was represented in a long boat well filled and manned, and " The hailing as People's Line." The Miller and his Men were up to their eyes in meal. T…

Many amusing badges, banners and appropriate devices were scattered through the procession. A large ox and a lamb were upon one platform ; upon another enclosed as in a yard, was a cow, calf, and a score of sheep, all alive, bleating and kicking, and seeming amused and delighted at being the lions of the day, not bearing a load, but being borne and well fed by the corn and hay which had been abund…

Description : crimson draperies on a blue ground, in the centre a Medallion, representing a pelican feeding her young, surmounted by the American Eagle, bearing the Arm and Hammer, the well known emblem of the Society : Under the Medallion, "General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, instituted,'' MDCCLXXXV. Marshal, Richard E. Mount, Ex-President of the Society. Aids, Edwin B. Clayton, Samu…

The banner borne by the Gold and Silver Artizans was of blue silk, about two yards square, surrounded by a rich gold colored fringe.On the front was painted a shield, in the quarters of which was represented in gold and silver the different articles of their manufacture ; under the shield on a ribbon was the motto "Union and Perseverance ensures success." On the reverse a shield, on which was rep…

Italian Universal Benevolent Society, with an elegant banner of the landing of Columbus on the discovery of America. St. David's Society, preceded by a stage on which were seated three bards with long beards, playing on their Cambrian harps. Welsh Temperance Society, with a banner. These Societies turned out strongly and with all their emblems. There were Harps and Harpists, and instruments and…

Washington Temperance Benevolent Society. Marine Temperance Society. Manhattan Temperance Society. Junior Washington Temperance Society. Franklin Temperance Society, preceded by a band composed of members of the Institute for the Blind, seated on a car. Junior Franklin Temperance Society. Broadway Washington Temperance Society. Rockland Lake Association, with two ice carts. Mount Pitt Temperance…

Gray hairs and beardless boys, mothers and daughters, both sexes, all ages and ranks were here. Reformed drunkards made good and sober citizens, and these not seen in one or a score but in a thousand faces. The heart beats lighter at such a spectacle as this, and words in praise of it is but gilding refined gold or adding a perfume to the violet. We have obtained the following notice of some of …

America, the Genius of Temperance, offering the Staff of Life and the Cup of Health, and pleading the cause of Temperance. The Temple of Science and Wisdom divides the picture, showing the opposing principles ; on the left the sun rises in all his glory ; Peace, Commerce, Mechanics, and Agriculture flourish. On the right how different the picture ! The sun sets in blood, the earth wrapped in all …

The motto, " Conquer we Must, for our cause it is just." Both banners designed and painted by A. D. O. Brouerel, of CROTON AdUEDUCT. 293 Brooklyn. The small banner, front side, represents the interior of a Bake House, and the Temperate Bakers cheerfully performing their work. All is Peace, Harmony, and Clean- " Praise God for all." On the reverse side, encircled in liness, and an appropriate mo…

This Society numbers rising 500 members, and turned out about 200, owing to so many belonging to other Societies. The Officers of the Society are, Nathan Cropsey, President ; Lorenzo B. Porter, Vice President ; John Yincent, Secretary. Seaman H. Wright, Marshal of the day ; William Moger, James H. Green, Mott Owen, W. H. Pennington, and James Frasier, Aids. The Manhattan Temperance Benevolent …

at his right hand is a beautiful female, representing the Genius of Temperance, with one hand on his shoulder, and with the other hand holding out the pledge, and with a kind look, begs him to sign, but with a look of sorrow, he declines, as he is the last of his race ; at their feet runs a clear stream of water ; in the distance is seen the city, with her tall spires and masts pointing to the …

Bennet, Secretary, David L. Young, Treasurer. In the 294 CELEBRATION OF THE centre of the line was a small banner, carried by three boys ; on it was the representation of a decanter of brandy, upside down, with the brandy running out, with the inscription over the top, " Right Side Up ;" in the rear, was a white banner, with the inscription of Manhattan Temperance Benevolent Society of New York.…

At 20 minutes past two, his Honor the Mayor and the members of the Common Council, foreign Consuls, and invited guests, took their stations on the front of the Hall, which then presented a most animated spectacle, every nook and niche being crowded with spectators. The troops then passed in review order before the assembly, and were followed by the other portions of the procession, with the except…

Mayor and Gentlemen of the Common Council : In delivering over the Croton water, and the works on this island, I have been requested by your Committee to make such remarks as the occasion may suggest. Prom the earliest period of the history of our city, the attainment of pure and wholesome water has been a subject of the highest interest. The Tea Water Pump, situated near the corner of Pearl and …

Well, what of that ! does it not belong to the system which Eternal Wisdom has inflicted on the world 1 that the greatest blessings can only be procured at the greatest cost and sacrifices ? What is this water to do for us 1 It is to protect our city from the awful conflagrations to which it was subject. We now pay in premiums one million of dollars annually to insure about half the value of our…

I state an event highly probable to have happened ; for London a city built of less wooden materials had at one fire, in 1666, 13,000 houses burnt, which occupied 436 acres, and embraced 400 streets, 86 churches, and a variety of magnificent buildings. The destruction amounted in value to fifty millions of dollars. The extensive fire at Hamburg during the past year, and the constant occurrence o…

The Croton will furnish three hogsheads a day to each of our population, at but $600,000 per annum. After all, we have followed but at a respectable distance ancient Rome, with her nine aqueducts, some of which were longer than the Croton Aqueduct, and together were capable of supplying 250,000,000 of gallons per day. But history does not enable us to say, if all of them were in operation at one …

paid a merited compliment to the Firemen of New York, and adverted to the fact that in expenditures on this great work it is not known that a single dollar of the people's all money has been lost or dishonestly applied, and he hoped that while the Corporation would adopt measures in reference to the water to meet the interest on the debt, they would be just to the rich, and liberal to the poor. …

President, and Gentlemen of the Board of Water Commissioners : In receiving, with my associates of the Croton Aqueduct Board, the custody of the work committed to us, I take the occasion to convey to you, the thanks of your fellowcitizens, for the zeal, perseverance and fidelity with which your duty has been performed, and to congratulate you on the virtual completion of the work entrusted to you…

regions of the West connected by a short and uninterrupted passage with the ocean, the pathway from foreign climes, and from the extensive sea-board of our confederate States, and possessing, within easy reach, almost every necessary for construction and supply, our position combines natural advantages for a large community, devoted to the prosecution of commerce and the arts, unsurpassed by thos…

channels of covered masonry should be constructed, rivaling in extent and magnitude, the boasted aqueducts of antiquity, and casting into shade any kindred works of modern times and that, for these purposes, an expenditure should be incurred, exceeding that ; which was encountered by our State, when she united the Hudson with the Lakes. And such momentous results were to be obtained, not from th…

archway, for more than forty miles, at length reaches our magnificent reservoirs, from 298 CELEBRAION OF THE whence it is conducted by subterranean conduits, extending one hundred and thirty additional miles, throughout the greatest portion of our city. The necessary additions, comparatively not large, are now in rapid progress, which will diffuse the salutary current through every remaining a…

personal cleanliness the purification of our streets the consequent increase of public health the facilities it will extend to mechanical and manufacturing industry the vast increase of steam-power among us, to be employed in the arts the supply to our mariners of a necessary element, which will remain comparatively unaffected by change of climate, and pre-eminently, the security it will afford a…

It is a characteristic of this work, that the credit attached to it, belongs pre-eminently to no individual, but is diffused, though in unequal degree, throughout an extensive circle. Fortunately, the field of commendation is so large, that each may reap his deserved harvest, without infringing the rights of his neighbor. Our thanks and remembrances are due to ALL, whose exertions in the Legislat…

Sensible of the honor conferred by the constituted authorities of the city, in committing to us the trust confided to our hands, it will be the effort of myself and colleagues to for the protection and advancement of the employ every power given to us, great work now in our charge. Long may that work endure to illustrate the wisdom of its founders a monument of the enterprise and perseverance of…

Gushing from this living fountain, Music pours a falling strain, As the Goddess of the Mountain Comes with all her sparkling train. From her grotto-springs advancing, Glittering in her feathery spray, Woodland fays beside her dancing, She pursues her winding way. Gently o'er the ripling water, In her coral-shallop bright, Glides the rock-king's dove-eyed daughter, Deck'd in robes of virg…

Water leaps as if delighted, While her conquered foes retire! Pale Contagion flies affrighted With the baffled demon, Fire! Safety dwells in her dominions, Health and Beauty with her move, And entwine their circling pinions In a sisterhood of love. Water shouts a glad hosanna! Bubbles up the Earth to bless! Cheers it like the precious manna, In the barren Wilderness, Here we wondering gaze…

Not a single accident happened in the Park or its immediate vicinity, and great praise is due to the parties appointed to keep the ground, for the good dispositions they made. COLLATION IN CITY HALL. After the ceremonies of the day were closed, three large tables were spread in the City Hall, where the Mayor, the Governor, the members of the Corporation, officers and several CROTON AaUEDUCT. 3…

He closed a by offering toast, which was drunk by all, accompanied by cheers it was as follows : " THE EXECUTIVE OF THE STATE OP NEW YORK." When the applause consequent upon this toast had subsided, the Governor addressed the company as follows : Mr. Mayor and Fellow-Citizens : Accept my thanks for this flattering, this generous welcome. To be thus remembered at a moment like this, amidst the…

An achievement like this, which casts a mantle of protection over the commercial store-house of the continent, may indeed be a subject of felicitation for the whole American people. We have this day enjoyed the spectacle alike, rare and sublime, of a vast community uniting in one common emotion, called forth by the performance of a great act in the mighty drama of a nation's history. If the immor…

I will not attempt, sir, to embody the emotions excited by the event, nor even to depict the feelings of pleasure awakened by the physical change which has stolen over the city of our pride and affection. A new feature has been stamped upon the face of our metropolis. But yesterday it was the dusty trading mart, unattractive and unadorned to-day the pure mountain stream gushes through its streets …

Is there one among this assembled multitude who would enjoy the benefit, yet basely shrink from the burthen ? The to pay, the debt which has glorious work yet remains, manfully to meet, and punctually been so wisely, so beneficently incurred. Who will venture to predict that this sacred duty will not be fully performed 1 Who can believe that the foul blot of repudiation will ever spread itself ov…

every of the defaulting communities which shall steadily and manfully persevere to the final completion of its works, will find in the resulting benefits, ample means for redeeming the faith plighted to the public creditor. It is in this point of view that the completion of the costly structure we this day commemorate, is replete with encouragement and instruction. Sir, let us for a moment suppose…

Let us then adopt as a cardinal maxim in the conduct of these great enterprises, that benefits must be made to keep pace with burthens ; in a word, that works once commenced, must be steadily and perseveringly prosecuted, and we afford the surest guarantee for the preservation of public faith. The Croton aqueduct is but one of many works of physical improvement, constituting portions of an exte…

and revenues, sure and unfailing, equal to the support of her government and the payment of all her existing debts and I here proclaim, that without embarrassment, or cause for embarrassment, she could with the expenditure of a sum but little exceeding that which the city of New York has expended on this aqueduct, complete to the utmost mile, all her unfinished canals and railroads. If the city, w…

This aqueduct, like all our other public works, was undertaken not only for the present but for the future. Its capacity is graduated not to supply the wants of the present population of the city, but to meet the exigencies of the million, who, within half a century may be congregated upon Manhattan Island. Shall that million be allowed to plant here their hopes and their homes ? That result dep…

I have reason to love the State of New York, not merely like all her sons, but I owe her a debt that few are ever permitted to incur. If, short of Heaven, I have an object paramount to her welfare and honor, I know it not ; and if I have a thought, feeling> or emotion inconsistent with her best and highest interests, may this right arm drop off and may this tongue forget its cunning. With pride …

A large and relisten to the singing of the spectable congregation were present at the Tabernacle, to Sacred Music Society, and the address of Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Cox, on music. The fair at Niblo's was crowded to suffocation. Many were doubtless attracted t thither by the splendid display of fire-works which took place in the garden at half-past eight. Castle Garden was also visited by a large n…

Throughout the day and evening the magnificent fountains in the Park and Union Square were kept in full play, and formed the most novel, as well as the most pleasing feature of the day. There was much, says the Commercial Advertiser, very much indeed we may say every thing in this celebration, to excite strongly the most grateful feelings and reflections. The favorable condition of the weather, t…

beauty of the fountains, and the proud consciousness which every citizen of New York felt that his or her own cherished and honored city had, in this mighty undertaking, accomplished a 'work with no superior, either for extent or for excellence of object all these were elements of gratification such as it is not often the pleasant lot of a municipal peopte to enjoy ; and they were enjoyed, tempe…

million of people were brought together into one mass as it were, there was not a guard, a patrol, a sentry, not even a solitary policeman, stationed any where to hold in check the ebullition of social or political excitement that there was need of none and that the peace, order, and quiet of the city were as completely undisturbed as they could have been in London, Paris, Vienna, St. Petersburg, …

Albany Water Works 81 London Bridge, works at, " Aqua Paola, . . .* 1646 Supply of water at, 20,50,53,59 Augusta, 16 Lisbon Aqueduct, 69 Felice, 1746 Lyon's Aqueduct, 32 Sabbatina, 16 Mexico, Aqueducts of 73, 74, 75 " " 73 Aqueduct, origin of, 7 destroyed by Spaniards, of Solomon, 7 Noria, 6 Vitruvius' rules, 8 JVismes Aqueduct, 29 Pliny's directions, 11 Ourcq, canal de 1' 64 Roman Aqua A…

Alexandrien, 24 Rome, its Aqueducts, 13, 14, 15, 16 " " Destroyed by the Goths, 24 supply of water, 20, 45 Decree of Senate relating to 27 Rome, its distribution, 20 " " Carthagenian described, 28 regulations and laws, 25 At Nismes, 29 Rio Janeiro Aqueduct, 75 Lyons, 32 Richmond, Va., Waterworks 82 Segovia, 40 Swape for raising water, 5 Grenada, 40 Superintendent of Roman Aqueducts, 23, 25 …

Canal de L'Ourcq, 63 Artesian at Grenelle, 67 Chapoltepec Aqueduct, .__ 73 Water, old mode of raising, 5 Cincinatti Waterworks, .' 78 various modes of raising, 5 Curatores Aquarum, 13 supply at Rome, 19, 20 " " Decree of Roman Senate in relation to Aqueducts, 27 London, 20 Edinburgh Waterworks, 60 how measured at Rome, 21 Fountains worshipped in early times, 1 Waterworks at London, 53 " at Rome…

Water Project, 100,11 dam, 101 Allen, Horatio, 161, 199 Manhattan Company,. . .85, 98, 99, 104, 5, 7, 9, 11, 20 Alley, Saul, 116, 178 " Water Analysis, 107 Aqueduct, Croton,....106, 24, 37, 39,41, 56, 202, 4, 17 " Artesian Wells Valley, 154, 5, 175, 202, 3, 4, 10 104, 11 116 129 Marcius Baldwin, Loami, Martineau, John, 127, 33, 47, 76 Birdsall, Benjamin, 272, 99 Morrissania Creek 93 Bridge,…

Water Project, 89 85, 87 89 Rumseian Society Philadelphia, Cooper, Judge, Water Project 89 94, 100, 6, 8, 11, 15, 18, 19 Corporation of New York, ... .85, 8, 9, 90, 5, 6, 7, 8, Rye Ponds, Sawmill River, 1 16, 202, 4 9, 100, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 2,4, 124, 9, Sharon Canal, 101, 2, 3 31, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 42, 3, 4, 7, 9, 61, 2, 79, 183, 5, 6, Seymour B. Water Project, 130, 1, 2, …

Croton Dam Stein, Albert Engineer, 133, 61 147, 79, 86, 87, 8, 91 Syphon Bridge, 160 Croton Maid, 193, 78, 9, 20, 24, 6, 15, 195 Supply of Water, 215 Curtis, Zebina, Water Project, 89 Taxes Ward, 139 Clendening Valley 175, 82, 8, 92, 204, 211 Treasury Notes 86, 8 Dekay, Dr 108 City, Turn out for Wages, ...158 Disbrow, Levi 104 Tunnel Harlem River, 166, 7, 8, 9 Douglas, Major,. 116, 17, 25, …