mm iversity of California. FROM THE URHARY < >F DR. FRANCIS L I E B E R , 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 COMPLETION OF THE G…

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 information. Many other miscellaneous works have been consulted — which are occasionally indicated in the marginal notes. PREFACE. yji To Mr. David T. Valentine, the Assistant Clerk…

the people, such as 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 themr decorating them with wreaths and chaplets of flowers, singing hymns, and reading a portion of the Gospel as part of the ceremonies," These same customs gave rise to the numerous holy…

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 remarkable discoveries of this long buried city, was a well in a…

be corrected. Yet in Joseph's well, the partition of rock be- tween the pit and the passage way, and the uniform inclination of the latter, seem to have been ascertained with equal precision as if the whole had been constructed of cut stone on the surface. Was the pit or the passage formed first, or were they simultaneously carried on, and the excavated masses from both borne up the latter 1 The e…

For a long period, the only mode of raising water from wells, was by letting down vases or buckets into them by a cord, but gradually the pulley and windlass succeeded, and even irrigation in Eastern countries, upon which the success of their agriculture depends, was carried on by water thus raised from wells, and borne by laborers to the field. The excessive labor and inconvenience of this practi…

chain of pots, by passing the chain through a tight tube, round or square, and for pots substituting wooden or metallic pallets or pistons, fitting the interior of the tube and pushing the water before them, was known in China from the earliest ages, but does not appear to have been introduced into Europe till about the middle of the seventeenth century ; they are chiefly used now in an improved f…

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 contain a large quantity of water. About 120 paces distant is the spring which supplies them with water. The aqueduct is built on a foundation of stone, and the water runs in earthen pipes, about 10 inches in diameter, which are ca…

was carried formerly five or six leagues, the Turks have left only here and there a frag- ment remaining."* Dr. Pococke, another English traveller, who visited the same region about half a cen- tury later, presents a nearly similar account of these works.! " We spent," says he, " another day in seeing the pools of Solomon. Descending the hills of Bethlehem to the south, we passed over a narrow val…

but walls are to be built to conduct the water through the earthy or sandy soils. Wells also, or air-holes are to be cut from the top of the water-channel to the surface, for the purpose of allowing the air .which might accumulate in the aqueduct to escape. These wells are directed to be placed at a distance of 120 feet. If the water be conducted by leaden pipes, a castellum or reservoir is first …

should not be sufficiently cemented, they may be stopped by the ashes. 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…

are carefully to ob- serve the manners of men and their conformation, that live around its source — and if they be of robust frame, bright complexion, without deformed limbs, or blear eyes, the stream may be surely approved. Or, if the water thrown into a vessel of Corinthian brass shall leave no spot, it may be pronounced excellent. Or, boiled in a like vessel, and left to cool, if, when poured o…

the Aventine Hill, which might have belonged to it Forty years after the Aqua Appia was established, in the 481st year of the city, the Censor, Manlius Curius Dentatus, began the aqueduct, which afterwards was known as the Anio Vetus. 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 commen…

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 years after the Marcian, or in the year of Rome 627, the Aqua Tepula was introduced by the Censors, Cn. Servilius Caepio, and L. Crassus Longinus, surnamed Ravilla. It took its rise in the Lucullan, or, as some called it, the Tusculan territory…

until the time of Caligula, when the seven existing aqueducts being found insufficient for the increase of luxury and popu- lation, this emperor, in the 789th year of Rome, began two new ones. These were finish- ed by the Emperor Claudius with great magnificence, and opened for use in the year of Rome 803. The first was named Aqua Claudia, and the second Anio Novus, to dis- tinguish it from the ot…

different emperors, and Lanuvium was surrounded with the villas of the great. At length when a dreadful succession of Lombards, Franks, and Saracens destroyed the houses, pavements, drains, crops, plantations, and cattle which had protected the Cam- pagna 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 stagnatio…

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 the Romans for its limpidity and coolness. The Emperor Nerva undertook to correc…

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 the fountains, and pools in the ci…

compressing or extending the lead. Pipes which did not require any calix were term ed solutce* The fact referred to in the last paragraph, of the increase and diminution of the quantity of water flowing through a tube, by altering its shape, is of sufficient interest to authorise some further notice of it. It must be stated in the first place, that more water will flow through a short tube than th…

the water, and by eventually raising its level, occasioned breaks in the channel, whence the waters escaping, not only destroyed it, but the sub-structures of every kind in the vicinity.* All work of repair, was however, as much as possible suspended in the summer sea- son, as then the free use of the water was most needed and agreeable.t The spring and au- tumn were the working periods. Moreover,…

magnificent erections — nor of the periods respectively occupied for their con- struction— nor of the nature ot the labor employed upon them. 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 suffic…

diverted to private houses and gardens.t It is remarkable, and quite an object of regret, that Frontinus, whose details as to the 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 i…

PATERE. ET. CIRCA. RIVOS. Q.VI. SVB. TERRA. ESSENT. ET. SPECVS. VLTRA. VRBEM. CONTINENTIA. .SIDIFICIA. VTRAQVE. EX. PARTE. Q.VINOS. PEDES. VACVOS. RELINQ.VI. ITA. VT. NEQ.VE. MONVMENTVM. IN. IIS. LOCIS. NEQVE. .EDIFICIVM. POST. HOC. TEMPYVS. PONERF. NEQ.VE. CONSERERE. ARBORES. LICERET. Sf. QVJE. NVNC. ESSENT. ARBORES. INTRA. ID. SPAT1VM. EXTIRPARENTVR. PR^ETERaVAM. SI. Q.VE. VII.L.*:. CONTINENTES.…

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 simplicity and unornamented style of its archi- tecture, perfect, however, in its proportions, and just in every point of its design, marks the very charact…

terminating the second story. The total height, according to the same author, is 161 feet ; namely, 66 feet for the first range, 66 feet for the second range, and 21J feet for the third range to the top of the flags covering the water channel ; the width of the bridge is 21 feet at the first range, 16 feet on the second, 10 feet on the third ; this forms a considerable offset on each stage ; the f…

Nismes, and who, by this means, endeavored to force the citizens to surrender. It remained in this state until the beginning of the eighteenth century, when the Duke de Rohan, in order to make a passage for his artillery, perforated the piers of the second arcade, and by some other operations directed to the same end, the Pont du Garde was rapidly falling to pieces. Considerable rents in the walls…

in this construction were one foot nine inches PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 33 long, one foot broad, and one and a half inches thick ; the cement of one of the aqueducts at the bottom is six inches thick, and one and a half thick on the sides ; about two feet above the floor of the canal were fixed, on each side, cramps of three lines square, at two and a half feet distance from each other. The utmost bread…

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 second reservoir at St. Foi. The waters flowed hence in a canal, carried by a brid…

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 Mr. Villar, a man of science, resident at Lyons, took the level, and found, as might have been expected, that the water in the receiving reservoir was higher by at least 12 inches than that in the emitting reservoir. To co…

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. It is probable that the regulating vane or sluice could be raised, or lowered, at pleasure to allow for the increase of head, and that the superfluous quantity was at times permitted to flow into some other channel. Where the aqueduct was carried above…

circumstances would have completely arrested the completion of the underta- king ; and the more so, as these valleys were neither all, nor the greatest across which th* 10 38 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. water had to be conducted. The resources of the architects here become conspicuous, in their substitution of leaden pipes, forming syphons, already described, which were laid at an expense comparatively tri…

diameter than those of the others, as appears by the parts at present in existence ; and Delorme thinks that the emitting reservoir was like the receiving tanks, which are seen near the wall of the city of Lyons, and conducted the water by an aqueduct to the reservoir, now called the Maison Angclique, This reservoir was also furnished with the usual opening. The emitting reservoirs had an opening …

air and light. From these cisterns the water was distributed as desired. The grand fountain in the Court of the Lions was thus fed. The fountain was in the centre of this magnificent O 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,…

is four hundred feet long, and the top is covered with large marble slabs of dazzling 11 42 PREL1MINARYESSAY. brilliancy. On the side next the reservoir, a substantial marble balustrade, three feet in height, gives a finish to this Cyclopean undertaking. A tall marble tablet indicates the date of its erection, or more probably of its repair or reconstruction. From the date, 1211, it appears to hav…

were about two hundred feet apart. These pits were convenient for giving air and light beneath, and also afforded a ready means of getting rid of the excavated earth and rocks. It is possible, that at the period when these tunnels were made, the pits were previously dug, in order to enable them to give the necessary direction and level to the subterranean passage. Branches from this main stream ar…

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 important advantage which cannot be too strongly insisted upon ; as it is now well known that nothing tends more to purify water, than the presence of …

of overflowing fountains. The anarchy of the middle ages, as has been already stated, led to the destruction, among other works of art, of the aqueducts, and the Romans were again reduced to wells and springs, and the Tiber. A precarious supply of purer element had been occasionally obtained by repairing an ancient conduit — but neither the resources of the State, nor the skill of individuals, wer…

against the practicability of obtaining that quantity which the Cardinal anticipated, on account of the small declivity of the channel of the aqueduct, and the variations in the levels of the lake itself. 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 wh…

this species of magnificence, we may easily judge, when we consider that they had, undoubtedly, both the taste and the materials requisite for it. Their aqueducts, which supplied them with water, even to prodigality, still remain, striding across valleys, penetrating mountains, and sweeping over immense plains, till they meet in the heart of the city. The edifice where they united, and whence they…

to open before, and the waters to swell around, him. Two sea- horses, conducted by two tritoris, drag the chariot of the god, and emerging from the caverns of the rock, shake the brine from their manes ; while the obedient waves burst 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 th…

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, and for 200 years afterwards, the citie of Lon- don was watered (beside the famous river of the Thames on the south part,) with the river of Welsj as it was then called, on the west ; which water is called Wallbrooke, running through …

work, for in 1590 it was still unfinished. It was, however, finally accomplished ; a succession of reservoirs at different levels was constructed, each communicating with the other, and through two mains of seven inch bore, the neighborhood of St. Giles was supplied. Originally these works belonged to the city of London, but in 1692 they were transferred to a company incorporated by the name of th…

Company r, the proprietor sold out for £38,000, to one Soames, citizen and goldsmith of London, who made a joint stock of the concern, and obtained from the corporation the lease of another arch. Subsequently the use of two more arches was granted to the company, and thus enlarged, the works were vigorously carried on — a considerable portion of the inhabitants of the city, both experiencing and a…

of sixty or more, well apparallelled, and wearing green Monmouth caps all alike, carried spades, shovels, pick-axes, and such like instru- ments of laborious employments, marching after drums twice or thrice about the cisterns, presented themselves before the mount, where the Lord Maior and worthy company stood to behold them, and one man in behalf of all the rest, delivered a speech in verse, nar…

400 miles laid down of wooden tubes, of which about twenty miles, on an average, required to be renewed every year, thus causing the whole to be renewed every 20 years. This was a monstrous annual drain, besides the public incon- venience of constantly breaking up the great thoroughfares to replace these tubes. The smallness of the bores, moreover, of the tubes, seldom exceeding eight inches, requ…

to its trade. An effort was made to substitute the waters of the Regent's Canal for those of the Grand Junction, but the quantity was quite insufficient, and there- fore the unfailing Thames was resorted to, and from its exuberant bosom has been drawn ever since 1820, the whole supply of these works. Their steam engines, two of 100 horse power each, are erected at Chelsea, between the Royal Hospit…

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 150 feet above tide — and two others at different and lower ele- vations, one of which was & filter er, and transmitted the water to the other much purified. One other enterprise only remains to…

; the water is brought from the Crawley Springs — natural sources issuing from a bank of gravel ; they are collected in a stone reservoir, called the Fountainheads, at an elevation of 564 feet above the sea, at Leith, and 230 feet above Castle Hill. The distance from the source to the Castle Hill reservoir, in a direct line, is six miles and a quarter, but, by the line of the aqueduct, eight and a…

of course the water for the engine well must be conducted across the river. The difficulty of such a transmission, at first sight so great, was obviated by the genius of Watt, to whom application was made. 16 62 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. " This celebrated engineer devised a flexible main of iron pipes, so connected as to adapt its form to the bottom of the river. That part laid across the bed of the rive…

feet, soldered lengthwise, and covered by a strip or sheet of lead of the same thickness, covering the first solder about two inches. 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 …

water, but it became apparent, as the city grew, that resort must be had to other sources. The Seine was naturally looked to, and a Fleming, in Paris, as a Dutchman had in London, first provided the means of raising the waters of that river above its level. 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,…

various points there are galleries and staircases, to descend to the subterranean aqueduct. I descended to examine the work with M. 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 aqued…

inch) is generally estimated in France, as a supply for 1000 inhabitants ; which gives 0.6779 cubic feet, or a little over 5 gallons to each daily. Seine water is distributed by carriers in hogsheads or carts, for which they pay at the pumps or filters 6305 francs the inch, and retail again to the inhabi tants for 30,462 francs. The amount thus paid by the Parisians is annually 2,864,504 francs. A…

nature of the soil which composes the Plain of Grenelle. On the surface it is formed of gravel, pebbles, and fragments of rock, which have been deposited by the waters at some period anterior to any historical record. Below this surface M. Mulot knew, by geological inductions and previous experience, that at Grenelle marl and clay would be found in the place of the limestone which in general forms…

too technical for our work. Again, in April, 1840, before it could be recovered, several months were spent in excavating round it. A similar occurrence created an obstacle which impeded the work for three months, but instead of being withdrawn, the detached part was driven literally into the stratum, which happened to be gravel. At length, in February, 1841, after eight years' labor, the rods sudd…

an apprehension, that making the five principal arches semi-circular, he would considerably add to the expense. In the rest of the edifice, much judgment has been displayed ; no part of it has failed, or appears to have received the least injury. This aqueduct was finished in 1738. The great earthquake, which in 1755, destroy- ed thousands of lives, in Lisbon, numerous houses, palaces, and churche…

AMERICAN AQUEDUCTS. In the southern portion of our continent, a race more civilized than any of the aboriginal inhabitants of that portion of America, now constituting the United States, * Murphy's Travels in Portugal, 4to ed., p. 183. PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 71 had constructed extensive conduits or aqueducts, for the irrigation of their arid soil, and in some cities, for culinary and other domestic us…

established, confirms his testimony. In a note to page 31, of the New York edition of Black's Translation of the Essay on New Spain, this passage occurs : " 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…

aqueducts of Rome ; nor restrain the indignation with which such acts of barbarism, perpetrated by Christians and civilized men, against those whom they de- nounced as pagans and savages, should be regarded and recorded. The following farther description of the aqueducts of ancient Mexico^ is given by Cortes, (the conqueror) in a long despatch, addressed to the Emperor Charles V., dated at Segura,…

always in use when the other required clean- ing. 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, 1749 j p. 79, (originally printed at Saragossa, 1552.) t Humb. N. Spain, vol. ii., p. 31. PRELIMINARYESSAY. 75 …

largest public fountain is in the square fronting the palace, and close to the harbor. This supplies the shipping, and it is constantly surrounded by sailors of all nations. Captain Cooke expressed doubts about the goodness of the water for long voyages ; but Dr. Von Spix, a Bavarian traveller, who visited Brazil in 1818, states, that it had been conveyed to India and back, and found un- corrupted…

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 buildings being on the west, the water passes from the race to the wheels which discharge the water. The mill buildings are of stone, two hundred and thir…

diameter with stop cocks. This reservoir contains four millons of gallons. All the water, being raised into the reservoirs one hundred and two feet above low tide, fifty-six feet above the highest ground in the city, is thence conveyed to the city, by iron pipes." On 24th October, 1822, the steam engines of the old work were stopped, never again, we presume, to be wanted. The actual consumption of…

The report of the superintendent of the works, for 1840, will serve to explain their present condition. 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…

of Philadelphia is one hundred and seventy-seven gallons daily, being less than half the quantity supplied from the works of this city. " The present engines and pumps can supply, by working twelve hours each day, twenty-one million gallons of water, by running both engines at the same time. Respectfully submitted, S. H. DA VIES, Superintendent. In Boston about 1000 families are supplied with wate…

gallons, and is divided into four apartments, two of which are for filtering. We now come to our own great work — THE CROTON AQUEDUCT. MEMOIR CROTON AQUEDUCT. MEMOIR CROTON AQUEDUCT. AT A very early day the want of a sufficient supply, and a convenient distribution of good water, was felt by the citizens of New- York. Before the declaration of independence, considerable expenditures had been made …

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 and thirty minutes, east two chains and sixty-four links to the place of beginning ; containing one acre and three quarters of an acre, together with all and singular the profits, hereditaments,…

supplying the City with water, or whether the same ought to be undertaken by the Corporation, and that the monies necessary for the purpose, should be raised by tax on the citizens. CROTONAaUEDUCT. gg These proceedings were ordered to be published, but, owing t<T the imperfection of the records of that day, the result of the application to the people does not appear, neither is there any trace of …

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 to the corporation, with the requisite plans and estimates, as soon as may be practicable. Your Committee farther Report, That they have considered the several matters which have be…

its springs, then I might say with propriety, it is infinitely too small for those uses. But ad- mitting, that at present it might be competent, the time will come, and that very shortly, from the growth of the city, when this source will most certainly be very inadequate to the demand. And again, supposing the pond to contain and furnish enough, it is a con- sideration well deserving attention, w…

be applied ; this to me has ever appeared an insurmountable objection. The idea of supplying a large city with pure water, from a reservoir in -its centre, has al- ways seemed very strange to me." The Bronx river was the source whence both Dr. Brown and Mr. Weston recommend- ed that the supply of water should be drawn. CROTONAdUEDUCT. 93 Dr. B., however, greatly underrated the quantity needed, and…

Bronx river, at Lorillard's snuff factory, to raise a dam six feet high, which would turn the water through a low swamp into Mill brook, to follow the north bank for three miles, and then to cross in an aqueduct to its op- posite side, and continue that level to the Harlem river. He states the distance to be from the Bronx to the Park, 14 miles and 7 furlongs, and the descent twenty-three feet. He…

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 Council against the bill they had sent to the Legislature, asking for authority to execute the work. We shall stand excused, by the interest of the subject and the great names involved, for copying in detail from the city records, the particular…

— and I freely add, that the changes in the plan of the Corporation, which they suggest, have the full concurrence of my opinion, With respect and esteem, I am, dear sir, your obedient servant, RICHARD VARICK, ESQ.. A. HAMILTON. Communication accompanying this Letter. Among the objects agreed on all hands to be necessary towards preserving the city from pestilential disease, are the following : I.…

regulations and improvements in this city were recommended as of primary importance to the health and welfare of the inhabitants ; and whereas, the introduction of a copious supply of pure and wholesome water into the city has long been contemplated by the Board, and is esteemed by the said Committee, " one of the most powerful means of removing the causes of pestilential diseases ;" and whereas, …

with the Common Seal affixed and sub- scribed by Mr. Mayor, on behalf of the Board, be delivered to the Treasurer or Chamber- lain. 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. - Thus for the contingent profit upon 2000 …

the roads and streets of this city, whenever it appears to the Common Council that a sufficient quantity of water is collected at a reservoir at Harlem river; provided, that in so doing, they do not interfere with the rights of others. 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 re…

consisting of Stephen Allen, S. Cowdery, and H. I. Wyckoff. The report was favorable, and they pre- sented a memorial, and then drafted a law, which was accepted and sent to Albany. In their memorial, the Common Council, in urging that an act of incorporation be granted to the applicants, took care, while reserving a right to subscribe for a portion of the stock, to guard themselves against any ob…

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 of vesting in the Corporation exclusively, the right to introduce water into the city. This course was adopted in consequence of an application then before the Legisla- ture for supplying water to the city, concerning which the Corporation h…

of such an enterprise, taken in con- nection with the uncertainty of the result as to the adequate supply, forbade the under- taking. Nevertheless, the Corporation caused various perforations to be made in the public markets, and in Jacob-street, in the Swamp. In this last, at the depth of 128 feet, a mineral water was obtained, unfit for domestic purposes ; but which, for a time, was supposed or …

lots of the Sailors' Snug Harbor estate, or near there. The elevation of the surface there, say Broadway and Fourteenth-street above the levels of the rivers, is 39 feet. The highest part of the city below Fourteenth-street, does not exceed 42 feet. 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 s…

to be agitated during the year without any decisive action. Early in the ensuing year, January, 1831, Alderman Stevens, who seems to have followed up systematically, and perseveringly, the purpose of procuring a supply for the city, proposed the following resolution : Resolved, That the Counsel of the Board, prepare a memorial to the Legislature, set- ting forth the wants of the city, in relation …

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, mineral water, would be a more correct designation for the ordinary waters of this city. Results of analysis of various mineral and pump waters in the city of New- York, by George Chilton, chemist : No. 1. A pint of water yielded 10…

waters. But in this estimate we do not include an equal amount of urine, for the following reason : This liquid, when stale or putrid, has the remarkable property of precipitating the earthy salts from their solution, or in other words, it makes hard waters soft. Although the fastidious may revolt from the use of water thus sweetened to our palate, it is perhaps fortunate that this mixture is dail…

successful experiment, yields but 20,000 gallons daily, and it would require 200 such wells, with steam power at each, to supply four million gallons. The plan for relying on the Croton, admitted to be that which ensured the most abundant supply, was put aside by reason of the great cost of the work, and because the Bronx river presented an adequate resource nearer by, and at less expense. The min…

all these expenses, it is believed, of exceeding eight dollars per house. 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 …

He examines in detail, all plans previously proposed for supplying the city, and comes to the conclusion deliberately, that on the Croton should the city rely ; a conclu- sion, which, differing as it did from that of all antecedent engineers, and from the views of Committees of the Common Council, is creditable to his sagacity and self-reliance. 29 114 MEMOIR OF THE The great inducements stated in…

Sewal, under the direction of Benj. Wright, then Street Commis- sioner 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 H…

preferred for the supply of his aqueduct, still adhered to the cold, pure, and abundant springs from the mountains of Tivoli, so Mr. Douglass, disregarding diffi- culties, real and imaginary, and heeding not at all the efforts still to cause the Bronx to be preferred, stood fast for the Croton. The instructions of the Commissioners to the Engineers were, to make " examina- tions of the Croton, Saw…

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 deliver- ing the Croton into the city at a comparatively reasonable cost, and leaves it to be deter- mined by future and more minute examination, …

pond ; showing that, during the time ob- served, 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 of 360 acres will be formed ; and by deepening t…

of two and a half millions of dollars, by the creation of a stock to be called " The Water Stock of the city of New York-," at five per cent., interest. The law of the preceding year, authorising the appointment of Commissioners having expired, it became necessary to renew it, and accordingly on the 2nd May, the Legisla- ture passed an act embracing this object, and that of the Common Council, for…

votes shall be made by the inspectors of the election, in the same manner as is now prescribed by law, in regard to the canvass and return of votes for charter officers. § 8. If a majority of the said electors are found to be in favor of the measure, it shall then be lawful for the Common Council to instruct the Commissioners to proceed in the work : and it shall also be lawful for the Common Coun…

ges done thereto to be repaired. § 16. 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,…

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 duties, and as the report they made to the Common Council in Feb., 1835, gives…

proposed by their report of November, 1833, the Commissioners en- gaged David B. Douglas, Esq., to re-examine his surveys, levels and calculations, and to ascertain whether lines for an aqueduct may not be designated that will require less labor and expense than those recommended by the report of 1833 ; whether a more economi- cal method of constructing the aqueduct may not be adopted ; whether th…

a very superficial consi- deration 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 water, at the city of New York, it would puzzle the most expert proficient in hydraulics to tell. By his communication of the 6th of January, 1834, he proposes raising a d…

persons from bathing in their aqueduct." Mr. Rhodes, however, has altogether misconceived the construction of the aqueduct proposed by our report, for in- stead of its admitting any of these substances or impurities, it was to be impervious on three sides to any external fluid or substance whatever, and on the fourth, the proposition was, to have it covered with a board or shingle roof. These seve…

the probable supply of water that can be obtained within the county." The Commissioners have presumed that this provision of the Ordinance has no allu- sion to the water that may be obtained by deep boring in the rock, or from the sinking of wells, as that subject was thoroughly examined by them in their report of 1833 ; and they have had no reason, since that period, to change the opinion then fo…

every householder, will be commensurate to the wants of a population such as the city of New- York contains, and will contain. If further evidence was required, the Commissioners might refer to the experience of other populous cities and villages, both in our own and other countries. Their example ought, surely, to have some weight with us, when making up an opinion on this subject. To suppose tha…

an estimate of the expenses there- of," was read to Mr. Hunter, and he was at the same time informed, if he communicated his plan to the Commissioners, and if they adopted it, they would so report to the Common Council ; if they rejected it, they would so report, with their reasons for such rejection. Mr. Hunter finally promised to communicate his views to the Commissioners in writing. On the 17th…

obstruc- tion. 4th. That a safe and easy communication between this city and Albany, on the ice, for three months in the year, may be effected. That no injury will be caused to the land on the banks of the Hudson, as the water within the dam will never be higher than it now is in high tides and freshets. Another of the advantages is, that solid and pure ice may be obtained at a small expense. On t…

perhaps by the Congress of the United States. If all navigable rivers are common highways, it is a question at least, whether obstruc- tions can be placed in them without interfering with the powers of Congress to regulate the Commerce of the Nation. 3rd. It must be conceded, as the Commissioners think, that the building of the pro- posed dam would be an obstruction of more or less magnitude to th…

full moon tides, from eight to nine hours. He considers the impediments to the trade on the river, by locking vessels through the dam, so objectional, that he is induced to conclude that the project cannot be beneficial. 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 muc…

large quantities of water for conducting their business, that the supply on this island is annually diminish- ing. 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 dis- tance above the Alms House, water cannot be procured in sufficient quantity from the large wells on their premises, wh…

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 man- ner that the watching, lighting, and repairing the streets and roads, are paid ; or as the expense of the police, criminal courts, board of health and public schools are paid. These axe matters in which the poor man partakes equa…

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 Commissioners have most fully discharged their duty, and with great ability. It remains for the Co…

said Act, the Board of Canvassers of the votes taken at said Election, adjudged and determined that a majority of the Electors of the City and County of New York, were found to be in favor of the measure. 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 …

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 fourth s…

works from injury. § 4. The Corporation of the city of New York shall, at the expense of the said Corpo- ration, erect and sustain convenient passes across or under the aqueduct to be erected by virtue of the act hereby amended, whenever said aqueduct shall intersect the land in the said county of Westchester, belonging to an individual or individuals, for the farming and other purposes of the lan…

for the dam. 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…

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, the aqueduct bridge over Sing Sing Kill, …

the kind to be found in any part of this or any other country. The next important work in order, is the Aqueduct Bridge, across the valley of Sing Sing Kill. This requires an arch of eighty feet span and twenty-five feet rise, resting on abutments of stone masonry, and is intended to be a work of great strength and solidity. In addition to these, there are several large culverts to be built, for c…

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 per- sons supposing themselves aggrieved, by contractors for extra allowances, &c., &c, the Commissioners suggest, for the consideration of the Common Council, the adoption of a plan similar to that adopted by the State in res…

to T. N. Ferrell, is cut through from end to end. Six of the culverts are completed, and five partly finished. They vary in dimen- sions from two to ten feet span of the arch, and from 50 to 150 feet , in length. The inverted arch or floor of the incomplete culverts is finished, so that the flow of water through the brook, passes them freely ; and sufficient of the upper arch has been laid to perm…

enable them to effect their object, more money would be required — especially 38 150 MEMOIR OF THE if, as seemed to be the wish of many citizens, the plan of Major Douglas, of passing the Harlem on a high bridge, maintaining the level of the aqueduct, be adopted. We quote the reasoning of the report on this subject, and as to the conveyance of the water over York Island, together with a new estima…

foundation and side walls are to be laid, to receive the pipes entering the effluent pipe CROTON AdUEDUCT. chamber. The foundation walls, extending from the arcade of arches, and from the abut- ment of the channel arch, are to be formed of dry masonry, except two feet, constituting the face, and two feet across the top, to form the bed for the iron pipes, all of which to be laid in cement mortar. …

must be attended with many unforeseen difficulties and casualties ; and should the least variation from plumb occur, or the least settlement on the foundation take place, it would carry with it very injurious results to the work ; while with the low bridge and iron pipes, the same occurrence would be attended with but trifling injury, and could very soon be repaired. 4th. The water in the large aq…

averaging 45 feet below the surface, must be made from 140th to 135th street inclusive. The line then continues in the 10th avenue to 107th street, and makes a curve easterly to 104th street, and from thence runs parallel with, and 125 feet from, the northerly line of the 9th avenue to 90th street, where another curve occurs, carrying the line to 85th street, where it enters the receiving reservoi…

north, to grade on the south side of the valley, are as follows : First, or diagonal line, - 3,300 feet. Second, running 125 feet east of 10th Avenue, - - 3,700 feet. Third line, running through the 10th Avenue, 3,700 feet. The maximum elevation of the bridge above the natural surface of the ground to grade line, is about 103 feet, and to the top of the parapet wall 116 feet. To erect a bridge on …

their fellow citizens have expressed a solicitude that the water might be carried on an aqueduct bridge with architectural display, the Commissioners are disposed to be guided by the opinion, legally expressed, of your honorable body on the subject. 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 in the Report of the Commissioners, should be adopted, as submitted to, and approved by, the electors of the City and County of New York. Adopted by the Board of Assistants, July 9, 1838. The progress made during this year was great. The whole remaining line in West- chester County, comprising the third division, and six sections of the fourth, were put under contract, at prices lower than thos…

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 con- fined 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…

had in the town of Greensburg alone, valued the property of the aqueduct at $60,000 Believing such a measure, in regard to such a work, to be unprecedented, the Com- missioners recommend to the Corporation, to invoke legislative protection. They also renew a request, previously made, that the Corporation would take imme- diate measures for opening and establishing the grade of the avenues and stre…

of opinion, that the crossing in the manner proposed, is the easiest, the safest, and the most permanent and durable; 3d, Because this is 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. 4th, Because the high arches will cos…

was three, arid the length 670 feet, together with five partly finished, measuring 610 feet in length, making a total of 1280 feet. Increase in this description of the work 574 feet of tunnelling. Foundation and Protection Wall. The foundation wall laid is 58,439 cubic yards, and of protection wall 36,590 cubic yards; making a total of 95,029 cubic yards. The quantity of foundation wall, laid at o…

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 also for a tunnel under the channel of the river, has been under consideration. The law…

less expensive. In the first instance, it is proposed to put down two three-feet pipes, which will probably be sufficient to supply the city for at least fifty years ; but to adapt the work to receive two four-feet pipe, which will be sufficient when the full CROTON AaUEDUCT. 165 capacity of the aqueduct shall be required. As there will be only a head of about 15 feet, no difficulty will be experi…

will carry any water that may gather in the tunnel, to the vertical welts in the abutments, where it may be cleared by pumps. The tunnel at each end will open in the top of the abutments, and thence the iron pipe will pass from the tunnel, rising to a suitable level above the river, and enter the embankment by which it will be covered. To protect the pipes from frost and provide for convenient ent…

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 the force of current, discharging from the stop cocks, it is proposed to put in the pipes, at convenient distances, man hole plates, by …

guide in the ex- pense of other work. Estimated Expense of Harlem Tunnel. 11,000 cubic yards earth excavation on shores, at 14 cents, $ 1,540 2,000 cubic yards rock excavation on shores, at $1 50, 3,000 24,000 cubic yards excavation of mud in river, at 1,- 24,000 3.000 cubic yards excavation of sand in river, at 1, - 3.000 4,000 cubic yards excavation of rock in river, at 5, - 20,000 Coffer Dam. 2…

apprehension of such a result. Well completed, the bridge, in the simplicity and economy of its operation, and its architectural appearance, would, no doubt, be the most satisfactory structure. In the foregoing estimates and remarks, I have endeavored to call your attention to all the essential circumstances and considerations that have a bearing in deciding on the plan most appropriate to be adop…

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 timber work to support the superstructure from near the water's edge ; but when it is considered that important bridges for travelled roads, are usually supported by piers of stone, and aqueducts for canals…

11 miles and one-fifth. The increase in this part of the work, since our last report, is 18,418 feet, or about three and a half miles in length. 2d. SIDE WALL. — The length of side wall ready to receive the brick facing and arches, was, at our last report, 1~443 feet. It now amounts to 17,535 feet, making an increase in this description of the work, of 16,092 feet, in six months. 3d. CULVERTS. — T…

dam, of 14 feet span, and 125 feet in length. The foundation wall at this place is 50 feet in height to grade, and 62 feet to the top filling of the aqueduct. 6th. An aqueduct bridge over the railroad at Harvey's marble quarry, of 16 feet span, and 10 feet in height. 7th. An archway over the road at Saw Mill River, of 16 feet span, and 14 feet in height. 8th. The large double culvert on Saw Mill R…

masonry on the aqueduct, with- in the tunnels, 2476 feet, being an increase, during the last six months, of 1964 feet in length. 4th. Foundation and Protection Wall — The foundation wall now laid, amounts CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 175 to 115,210 cubic yards, and the protection wall to 114,384, making a total of 229,594 cubic yards of dry wall, which shows an increase, during the last six months, of 63,344…

be entirely delusive. This may be explained, without impeaching the sagacity or accuracy of those engineer, by the facts, that they had no actual experi- ence 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…

The advantages in retaining his services, and also of his present assistants, must be obvious ; as the information they possess, relative to the man- ner 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 ou…

of a joint special committee of both Boards. To this Committee were to be referred all matters relating to the aqueduct, except the sale and disposal of stock and other duties ordinarily belonging to the Finance Committee. The new Commissioners retained the corps of engineers as they found it, with the very capable chief at its head, and the work made rapid progress during the year. The first repo…

supply of water, which now discharges into Long Island Sound, might be diverted or made to pass into the Croton. This fact is mentioned for its singularity, rather than from its being of any importance to the work. The lake, formed by the dam, flows already over some lands not embraced by the deeds or rights obtained by our predecessors ; and when it is considered that it is liable to rise three f…

the line ; it consists of 800 feet of tunnel cut through rock, and about three-fourths of a mile of grading for two lines of iron pipes of 36 inches diameter. 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 …

the streets surrounding the reservoir and the southern division, that we were obliged to let this reservoir proceed, as contemplated by our predecessors ; except, that we do not excavate the rock, as was previously intended, by which there is a saving, as estimated, of 75,000 dollars. We have added to the expense of the distributing reservoir about $9,000, in conse- quence of having adopted a diff…

millions, the fifth section of which is quoted in a preceding page, it is expressly enacted " that no item of 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 Commis- sioners stated to the Board of Aldermen, that they felt constrained to call the attention of their engineers to the sub…

their exact location may be known thereby. He is also, under the direction of the Committee, to advertise for, and make contracts, examine and certify bills for work, and generally to perform such duty as may be re- quired of him by the Croton Aqueduct Committee. He is also to make a quarterly report to the Common Council, of the detail of every expenditure in the department, with the number of th…

various discussions, the Corporation made good their ground, and exercised the exclusive right of distributing the water from the reservoir at 40th street. 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 dist…

lived on the opposite side ; but not understanding it, they took no measures for their safety, until still later, when the water began to come down in torrents. Two people at Baileys' Mills occupied themselves so long in remo- ving 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, we…

laying a tax on the citizens to pay the interest of the water loan. 2d. To limit the power of the Water Commissioners over the aqueduct to its termination at Murray's Hill. 3d. To authorise the Commissioners, with the assent of the Common Council, to change the plan of crossing the Harlem on a high bridge, to inverted syphons and iron pipes. 4th. To postpone the construction of a reservoir at York…

be done on the Fifth Avenue, between Fortieth and Twenty-first streets ; their contract with John B. Chollar and Ebenezer Jones, made the twenty-third of Octo- ber, 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 hu…

early in the spring, under contract, to raise the same so high by the 1st of November following, as to throw at least two feet of water into the tunnel of the aqueduct. This requirement of their contract they have not fulfilled ; which is to be regretted, mainly on the ground that the work could not be left in as secure a condition against the spring floods, as it would have been left, had this co…

If we are mistaken in the wishes of the Common Council, we shall be glad to be informed of the same. Under this arrangement of the work, the whole amount required by this depart- ment 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 Commo…

spectator with the belief that it is almost, if not entirely, indestructible by the elements, or time. Between the Croton Dam and the influent gate-house at Harlem River, the line of aqueduct was finished last season, and during the present season this gate-house has been nearly completed. The embankment in the Harlem River, which serves the double purpose of securing the cofferdams for the piers …

which are laid the -iron pipes, connecting the receiving and distributing reservoirs, is nearly completed. Something remains to be done at one or two culverts, and perhaps something more ought to be done in the way of regu- lating the Avenue. DISTRIBUTING RESERVOIR AT MURRAY'S HILL. — This work is now nearly com- plete ; about one-half the length of the enclosing wall is finished, and the remainin…

Court for the Correction of Errors, and many other distinguished persons. A salute of 38 guns was fired upon the occasion by a detachment of artillery, detailed for that service by Gen. Sanford. The "Croton Maid," which arrived soon afterwards at the reservoir, was hailed by the assembled citizens with much enthusiasm, as she afforded indubitable 196 MEMOIR OF THE evidence that a navigable river w…

situated. 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 ! …

expected." The whole amount expended on the works up to 20 January, is stated by the Com- missioners at seven millions nine hundred and ten thousand four hundred and seventy- six dollars, to which a further amount of $662,540, required for work unfinished and contracts unsettled, would be added. Both these sums, however, are exclusive of the pipes laid from the distributing reservoir, that head of…

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 before the lower end of the aqueduct could be examined. By a proper watchfuln…

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 tem- peratures to which they are exposed. The aqueduct and its appurtenances have been subjected to the trial of near seven months, and I have endeavored to detail fully …

of the State having occurred, the former Commissioners were reinstated, and now have charge of the work — without any change occurring in the engineer department, other than by the re- duction consequent upon the finishing of operations. Having thus brought our narrative of the progress of the work to its conclusion, it re- mains to present, as promised, a connected view of the aqueduct, its chief…

6th Avenue on the east. 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 reser…

mile, the grade of the aque- duct was compelled to encounter great irregularities of surface. Very little regular table- land could could be found for its location. 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 im- possible to avo…

feet 8 inches thick at the spring line of the inverted arch, and 2 feet at the top, or spring line of the roof- ing arch. The inverted arch is of brick, 4 inches thick. The roofing arch is also 8 inches thick. The abutments, or side walls, are of rubble stone, with a brick facing 4 inches thick. Spandrels of stone are carried up solid from the exterior angle of side wall, on a line that is tangent…

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 nine inches thick ; all the work laid in hydraulic mortar. The culverts over one and a half foot span, with the exception of three of twe…

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 length of 90 feet for this height. The natural rock formed the southern abutment, and the aqueduct being on this s…

carries the face over and meets the back line of the wall. The back line is carried up ver- tically, with occasional offsets. The main body of the work is laid up of rough stone ; the curved face of large and closely cut stone, with four heavy courses at the bottom dove- tailed together, the joints cut to the line of radius of curve. Above the masonry an embankment of earth is filled in, and exten…

any water that might leak from the conduit, and prevent its being absorbed by the outer or parapet wall. The conduit over this bridge is constructed of stone and brick masonry, so arranged as to receive a lining of cast iron ; the iron being set back so as to receive a facing of brick over the bottom and sides, which is further secured by three courses of hydraulic cement plastering. It is not pro…

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 top of the parapets, is 21 feet ; the exterior of piers, spandrels and parapets has a bevel of 1 to 48, and have openings in the interior walls. The space between the parapets is arranged to receive and protect from frost two cast iron pipes, each four feet in diam…

across this valley by iron pipes, why construct this expensive bridge ? The reply is, that a plan was prepared, and the work put under contract, to construct a low bridge with one arch for water way ; but a supposed value which was attached to the future navigation of the river, was so pressed upon the Legislature, as to induce them to pass a law, requiring that the under side of the arches should…

the southern 30 feet depth. But they are not fully excavated in some parts, where rock occurs, it not being deemed sufficiently important to incur the expense of ex- cavation in rock for the increased capacity that would be obtained. The reservoir has a capacity of 150,000,000 imperial gallons, as it now stands. The reservoir is formed with earth banks, the interior having regular puddled walls to…

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 carried up single to the top. The exterior wall has a bevel of one to six,…

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 LINE OF AQUEDUCT. The general declivity of the aqueduct in Westches- ter county is 0.021 fo…

be at least 15 per cent, greater than the calculated flow. I have not been much disappointed in finding the flow of water in the aqueduct, to exceed the calculation, as all my observations on the currents in canal feeders, have led me to believe the formulas laid down give rather less than the actual result. The flow of water through the pipes across Manhattan valley, and also the temporary pipe a…

spring — and nei- ther outside nor inside had anything occurred to interfere with the regular action, which the various structures were designed to accommodate and promote. Among the enumerated causes of injury to the Roman aqueducts, it may be remem- bered, was the formation on the bottom and sides of the channel way, of a stony concretion, produced by matter deposited by the water. It is therefo…

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 Rome, but they w…

of the public revenues. These contracts * Inquiry into the State of Slavery among the Romans, by Wm. Blair, Esq., p. 2. t Plutarch's Life of the Gracchi. : Frontinus, chap. ii. CROTON AQUEDUCT. 219 were drawn up in writing, of which Cato has preserved to us a specimen in his book on agriculture." In reference to the Aqua Appia, the same writer makes this statement : " The pride of a princely patri…

of New York presents, it is believed, the only instance of a comparatively small community, not exceeding at the time 280,000 inhabitants, deliberately voting that an enterprise should be undertaken, in a style and on a scale greatly beyond their actual or any near future wants, but which, designed to endure for ages, would bear record to those ages, however distant, of a race of men who were cont…

date, including salaries of engineers and Commissioners Cost and rent of land for line of aqueduct Actual money cost of the aqueduct to the distributing reservoir at Murray's Hill Add, for procuring and laying water pipes ... Interest on water stock to 1st August, inclusive ----- Sundry water loan, and other expenses ------ $7,138,486 34 436,860 11 408,155 67 $7,983,503 12 1,878,839 51 1,577,459 4…

history, which must always be among the brightest on the page that records our civil glories. This great work, equal to any on this continent for magnitude, and for a display of scientific skill, has been successfully completed in the space of five years, by the un- aided credit of our city, and enterprise of our citizens. The hopes of half a century are now turned from dreamy longings, with but a…

the citizens of any country have, of their own free will and accord, authorised the construction of a work of the same magnitude, the beneficial effects of which will be experienced by ages yet unborn. 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 c…

R. H. ATWELL, DANIEL WARD, WILLIAM DODGE, CHARLES J. DODGE, New York, October 10, 1842. Joint Celebration Committee, CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. Invitations were addressed by the Sub-Committee of Arrangements designated for that purpose, consisting of Aldermen Crolius, West, and Assistan t- Alderman Wm. Dodge, to many distinguished citizens and strangers. From among numerous replies, we select for publicati…

; was forwarded thence to Moira, in Franklin County ; was thence returned to Albany ; thence forwarded to New York ; thence sent back, and has just reached me here. I regret, exceedingly, this long delay in the receipt of your letter, as it has prevented its earlier and due acknow- ledgment. Had it, however, reached me in season, my indispensable public duties here would not have permitted me the …

Common Council my regrets, that I could not have participated in the felicitations of an event that will mark an epoch, glorious in the history of New York. With great consideration, Your obedient servant, NATHANIEL JONES. CLARKSON CROLIUS, Esq.,1 EDWARD D. WEST, Esq., V Committee, $c. WM. DODGE, Esq., The replies of the foreign Consuls follow : From the British Consul. Her Britannic Majesty's Con…

tendered him by the Honorable Common Council, -of joining with them on the X4th day of October, in celebrating the introduction of the Croton Water into this city. 60 238 CELEBRATION OP THE From the Consul of the Two Sicilies. 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 po- lite invitation of …

BANKHEAD, Colonel 2d Artillery. Messrs. C. CROLIUS, ) E. D. WEST, V Committee WM. DODGE. S From the Officers of the U. S. N. Navy Yard, New York, October 7th, 1843. GENTLEMEN : — 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 cele…

the introduction of the Croton water into the city, and hope my health will be so far restored by that day, as to allow me the pleasure of participating in the celebration of this event, to which I have looked with no ordinary care and responsibility for near six years. The work, I trust, will fulfil the highest expectations of usefulness, which induced the city to enter upon the great enterprise.…

the Croton water into the city. Very respectfully, Your ob't serv't, ALEX. M. CUMMING, Mayor. To CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jun'r., ) E. D, WEST, and } Committee. WM. DODGE, Esq'rs., ) From the Mayor of New Brunswick- New Brunswick, Oct. llth, 1842. GENTLEMEN : — The Common Council of this city have authorised me to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation, to join with the Honorable the Common Council o…

their sister city upon her successful accomplishment of this magnificent enter- prise. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, J. M. SCOTT, Mayor of Philadelphia. To GEORGE F. NESBITT, HENRY E. DAVIES, WILLIAM DODGE, CHAS. W. SMITH, DANIEL WARD, EDWARD D. WEST, CHAS. J. DODGE, FREDERICK R. LEE, RICHARD H. ATWOOD, CLARKSON CROLIUS, Board of Assistant Aldermen. Board of- Aldermen^ …

ourselves of your invitation, to report ourselves on the 64 254 CELEBRATION OF THE morning of the celebration, and to give you no further trouble than to assign us such place in your order of arrangements as you may wish us to occupy. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JONAS C. HEARTT, To Mayor of Troy, C. CROLIUS, Jr., ) E. D. WEST, and \ Committee, &c. WM. DODGE, Esqrs., J An invitation t…

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., PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT. F…

of our Councils takes place, which circumstance will prevent them, as well as myself, from participating in the enjoyment of seeing a flow of wholesome water passing through your streets — equal in magnitude, and more effective in the arrangements and stability of the work, than any other extant. May the citizens of your great city appreciate and enjoy the health and blessings produced by your spi…

of the ban- ner 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 feet by seven and a half fe…

our institution as a most ef- ficient agent of public good, and not unmindful of the services and sacrifices to which its members are subjected, have in this public manner marked their appreciation of the past, while at the same time they have held out a stimulus to the future. The occasion upon which we are assembled, commemorating the completion of one of the most stupendous public works of the …

of the Bar. 7. Professors and Students of the University. 8. New York Lyceum. 9. Society of Letters. 10. Chamber of Commerce. 11. Board of Trade. 12. Historical, Philosophical, Philological, and other Scientific Societies. 13. Members of the various Societies for the Promotion of the Fine Arts. Under the direction of Brig. Gen. Pentz, assisted by Mr. John T. Dodge, and Mr. George C. Ring, aids to …

and down the Bowery to Grand street, through Grand street to East Broadway, down East Broad- way and Chatham street to the Park. Should the weather not prove propitious on the 14th instant, the celebration will be postponed, on which a white flag will be displayed at City Hall, Niblo's, and Bowery Theatres, at 7 o'clock, A.M. On the arrival of the head of the column at the Park, and also upon circ…

bells mingled their merriest peals, the cannon spoke at morn- ing, noon, and night, in their most vociferous tones of power. There were flying artillery 68 270 CELEBRATION OP THE and artillery on foot, infantry and calvary, riflemen and marines, and soldiers of every rank and every service. The Scotch Highlanders, with the tartan and the plume, pre- sented a beautiful and soldierlike appearance. S…

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 their staves of office but seldom seen, and seemed to embody in…

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. After them came the Fire Department from Brookl…

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 9£ feet by 7£ feet ; its color is a rich mazarine blue. The fringe, tassels, and cord, are crimson and amber. The ban- ner is surmounted and greatly adorned by three separate grou…

flowers, drawn by 46 men, uni- form as above. The Company was preceded by a miniature engine, a fac-simile of the large one, and borne by 8 boys. Followed by, New York Hose Company No. 5. Four wheeled hose carriage, painted green, polished brass scrolls and mountings ; a gilded arch sprung, from the top of the reel, sur- mounted by an eagle, from whose talons garlands of natural flowers were carri…

on the back, Diedrich Knickerbocker. Drawn by 26 men in same uniform as above. BAND OF MUSIC. Washington Hose Company No. 12. Four wheeled Hose Carriage, painted cream color and gilt — on front pannel a representation of Washington crossing the Delaware — on back pannel, the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Drawn by 50 men in same uniform. Eagle Fire Engine Company, No. 13. Engine painted blac…

Design on the back, representing the God- dess 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 dahlias, artificial flowers, etc. Brass torches and guide flags, with the name …

Hose Carriage, painted blue- and gilt ; on each side of the carriage an American flag ; in the centre a blue flag, with the word " Liberty," in gold letters ; drawn by 20 men, same uniform. Hunker Hill Engine Company No. 32. Engine painted red, striped with gold, the number 32 on the back, preceded by a banner, with a representation of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the death of Warren, on one sid…

its neck. On the top of the condenser case a spread eagle, bearing the motto of the company, " Combined to do good, and not to injure." Three boys bearing brass signal lantern and torches. Engine drawn by 60 men ; uniform as above. Clinton Engine Company, No. 41. 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 o…

of men to use it, New York will never suffer again from a conflagration. FIFTH DIVISION. Under the direction of Colonel Philbrick, assisted by Mr. James Nesbitt, Aids to the Grand Marshal. Programme of the Procession of the Masonic Fraternity, as part of the General Procession on the \kth of October, 1842. The Grand Marshal. Band. Naval Lodge, No. 69, following their banner, of blue silk, on which…

Pipe was hauled along to show what had been done by men, and by what means it had been ac- complished. Pipe of every weight and dimension, the implements of the workmen, their carts, machinery, (fee., all made a part of the tout ensemble of this division. 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 …

American Institute. Mechanics' Institute, with a miniature steam engine in full operation. School of Mechanics' Institute. 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 manu- facture ; u…

Presidents ; M. Dougherty, Recording Secretary ; Thomas Edgerly, Corresponding Secretary; John C. West, Financial Secretary; Ezra Beach, Treasurer ; Dr. M. L. Osborn, Marshal. Banner, of blue silk, (presented to this Society by John Stewart Esq., Alderman of the 14th Ward,) representing a gentleman tendering the pledge of total abstinence to a poor ragged inebriate. Inscription, " Turn ; drink of …

their feet runs a clear stream of water ; in the distance is seen the city, with her tall spires and masts pointing to the clouds — the whole surrounded with the inscription, Manhattan Temperance Benevolent Society, organised February 23d, 1841 ; on the other side of the banner represents a Ship Yard, with a ship in frame, and the carpenters to work at it ; in one side of the yard is a well of wat…

and wholesome water, to be sure at a great cost — nine millions of dollars, exclu- sive of the main and distributing pipes throughout the city, (now laid to the extent of 130 miles,) exclusive of the interest accumulating on the cost, being in all twelve millions of dollars. Well, what of that ! does it not belong to the system which Eternal Wisdom has inflicted on the world 1 — that the greatest …

dollar of the people's 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. In conclusion, Mr. Stevens said, it was a source of great pride and satisfaction to him, as a native of this great city, to say, that he had watched with c…

achieved. The obstacles have disappeared. The hill has been levelled or pierced, the stream and the valley have been overleaped, the rock has been smitten ! Nature, yielding to human industry, perseverance and skill, no longer withholds the boon she had before denied us. A river, whose pure waters are gathered from the lakes of the mountain-range, arrested and diverted in its course, after pouring…

ode, printed copies of which had been liberally distributed at the expense of the Corporation during the day : THE CROTON ODE. Written at the request of the Corporation of the City of New York, by GEORGE P. MORRIS, and sung in front of the Park Fountain, by the Members of the New York Sacred Music Society, on the completion of the Croton Aqueduct. CELEBRATED OCTOBER XIV, MDCCCXLII. Gushing from th…

surrounding com- munities, demands and receives my warmest gratitude. You have well observed, sir, that these multitudes have joined in this glorious pa- geant, not as curious spectators, but rather as joint owners of the great work whose com- pletion we this day celebrate. It is indeed the triumph not only of the city but of the country at large. Its results reach far beyond the narrow confines o…

the national character and dangerous to public morals ; but I cannot doubt that each and CROTON AQUEDUCT. 303 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 redeem- ing the faith plighted to the public creditor. It is in this point of view that the comple- tion of the costly …

we are connected. There are other Atlantic ports besides New York, other Rivers besides the Hudson, other Canals and Rail Roads besides our own, other govern- ments besides the City Councils I address, and the Legislature of our State ; and although the trade of the continent now flows in our channels, it has not worn them so deeply that it may not yet be diverted. Believe me, fellow-citizens, tha…

of political institutions which give and secure to every man his equal share in the general rights, powers and duties of citizenship — amid this great convulsion, as it may be called — this mighty upheaving and commingling of society — where half a 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 a…

61 Greenock, 63 Paris, 63 Philadelphia, 76 Cincinatti, 78 Boston, 81 Albany, N. Y., 81 Troy. " " 81 Providence, R. I., 82 Richmond, Va., 82 308 INDEX. INDEX TO THE MEMOIR. PAGE. Analysis of Water, Manhattan, 107 " " Bronx River and Rye Ponds . 108 " " City Wells, 108, 109, 110 Allen, Stephen, 100, 2, 15, 78 Allen, Horatio, 161, 199 Alley, Saul, 116, 178 Aqueduct, Croton,....106, 24, 37, 39,41, 56,…

104 Wells, Artesian, 104, 29 White, Canvass— Engineer 101, 2, 3, 11, 12 Wright, Benjamin— Engineer, .... 102, 3, 6, 12, 15, 16 Woodruff, Mr., 178 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW AN INITIAL PINE OP 25 CENTS WILL. BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY LD 21-100m-7,'40 (6936s) YE 01275