King, Charles. A Memoir of the Construction, Cost, and Capacity of the Croton Aqueduct. New York: Charles King, 1843.

'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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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," …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

" 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …