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Document. — No. 9.
PAPERS
RELATING TO TH]
INTRODUCTION OF PURE WATER.
BOSTON:
JOHN H. EASTBURN, CITY PRINTER,
No. 18 State Street.
1838.
(^Jmn (D'J !B(DS^(DSr^
MR. EDDY'S COMMUNICATION".
In Common Councilj March 1, 1838.
The following document submitted bj Mr. Lin-
coln, being a communication addressed by R. H. Ed-
dy, to the Chairman of the Committee on Water, re-
lating to crossing Charles River by iron pipes through
a brick gallery under the same, for the purpose of in-
troducing pure water into the city, was referred to
the Standing Committee on Water, and 300 copies
ordered to be printed for the use of the council.
Attest, Richard G. Wait, Clerk C. C.
To Samuel A. Eliot, Mayor, and Chairman of the
Standing Committee for supplying the city with Soft
Water.
Sir,
Knowing the deep interest you take in the in-
troduction of water into our city, and believing it is
jour warmest desire to accomplish the same through
the best system of works, I feel that any information
I can impart will be cheerfully received by you, and
discussed without prejudice.
Sometime about the year 1825, as you may be
aware, Mr. Treadwell was appointed by the city au-
thorities to investigate the subject and report on the
best mode of supply. Spot Pond was presented to
his notice, and with the assistance of Mr. Moody,
he made estimates on this source. This project
seems to have been abandoned through the apathy of
the councils, or for some other reasons. During Mr.
Lyman's administration, Mr. L. Baldwin was engag-
ed to survey and report on the best mode of supply,
according to his judgment. Of the result and nature
of his report you are aware.
The generality of persons, seem either to have lost
sight, or to have entirely overlooked the expense of
raising water by steam power. I presume they have
assumed for their standard of comparison, the old
works at Fair Mount, Philadelphia, where engines
and boilers ill adapted to the purpose were used, con-
suming immense quantities of fuel. As well might
we base our calculations of the effective power of a
locomotive engine and rail road, at the present day,
on the performances of the same machine twenty
years ago.
Disagreeing entirely with Mr. Baldwin as to the
cost and propriety of a supply from the sources he re-
commended, I mentioned my views to your predeces-
sor and several gentlemen of the Water Committee
of 1835. The conversations with them resulted in
the survey and report which were made by me to the
City Government. '
The ideas of combining Spot and Mystic Ponds ;
of using the former for the high service forever, and
also for both high and low, until such time as it might
be requisite to employ the latter for the low service,
were original with me. According to my plan, the
water was to be forced into a reservoir on Bunker
Hill, 60 feet above high tide ; of course, at about one
half the expenditure of fuel required to raise the same
120 feet. The coal used could be delivered at the
mouth of the furnace from the vessel, without any
expense of transportation to a distance from the
wharf.
The only plausible objection, to my knowledge,
ever offered against my project, consisted in the mode
of passing Charles River, near Warren Bridge.
At the time I made my report, I had in cojntempla-
tion various methods of crossing these navigable wa-
ters, but being ordered to make the survey and re-
port during the winter season, I had not proper op-
portunities to make such examinations as I could have
desired. For my own part, I could perceive then no
very alarming difficulties attending any of the various
ways presented. I therefore reported on one, and
supposed should the city authorities or Hydraulic
Company undertake the erection of works from these
ponds, time and reflection would develope the best
and most economical mode of crossing the river.
In conversation with some of my friends, since my
report was made, I originated the idea of a small tun-
nel, gallery or drift under the bed of the river, and I
also informed them that by a cursory examination
of the subject, I was satisfied the river might be
crossed for a sum not far from fifty thousand dollars.
Having since communicated with many practical
miners and intelligent persons, and submitted mj
plans to their inspection, I have found several, one
gentleman in particular, tvho will readily undertake to
build the wells and gallery for ffQO^dQQ. They are
also ready to give any reasonable security for the full
and faithful performance of the same.
On recurring to data in my possession, relative to
the great tunnel under the Thames River, at Rother-
hithe, I find the different strata of earth in a trans-
verse section of the river are as follows.
ft. in.
Upper or stratum No. 1, consisting of brown
clay, 9
No. 2. Loose gravel, with a large quantity of
water, 26 8
No. 3. Blue alluvial earth, inclining to clay, 3
No. 4. Loam, 5 1
No. 5. Blue alluvial earth, inclining to clay,
mixed with shells, 3 9
No. 6. Calcareous rock, in which are imbed-
ed gravel stones, and so hard as to
resist the pickaxe, and to be broken
only by wedges, 7 6
No. 7. Light colored muddy shale, in which
are embeded pyrites, &c. 4 6
No. 8. Green sand, with gravel and little water, 6
No. 9. Green sand, 8 4
68 4
The top of the brick work of the Thames tunnel
is represented by the section to be but 10 feet below
the river bed in the deepest part of the stream, over
which at high tide rests a depth of water of thirty-
five feet. The excavation is 38 feet in breadth, and
22J feet in height, presenting a sectional area of 850
square feet, which will be found to be more than ten
times the area of the proposed drift under Charles
River. The greatest depth of the top of the Thames
tunnel below the bed of the river appears not to ex-
ceed 20 feet, varying to ten, as above mentioned.
Thus it will be observed that nearly the whole of this
great w^ork is carried through stratum No. 2, consist-
ing of loose gravel, with a large quantity of water.
The stratum No. 1, of brown clay, 9 feet thick, is
the only covering above, which prevents any irruption
of top water.
By careful soundings made near Warren Bridge at
50 feet apart, the rod near Charlestown side struck
hard blue clay in 5 feet below low^ water mark,
after passing through two feet of mud. At 450 feet
further, the clay was reached in 25 feet below low
water mark, the rod passing through one foot of mud.
Between the draw and Boston abutment at a distance
of 300 feet from the point last mentioned, the clay
was reached at 34 feet 4 inches below low water
mark, the rod passing through 9 feet of mud. At
250 feet further it touched clay 28 feet below low
water, after penetrating 2 feet of loose gravel.
At Boston shore, 150 feet further distant, the clay
was found at 25 feet, with a stratum of mud of 15
feet over the same. The whole distance across the
river is about 1400 feet. From the above it will be
seen that the clay in the deepest part of the river
lays about 50 feet below the top of the bridge. Then,
if for full security against accident, we place the top
of the brick gallery at 20 feet below the top of the
8
clay, lue shall have double the thickness of clay above
our excavation, (only 9 feet wide) that there is over
the top of the arch of the Thames tunnel, where the ex-
cavation is 38 feet ivide.
Knowing the character of the earth on each side of
the river, there can be no apprehensions of meeting
with any serious difficulty from water.
Prior to the commencement of the Thames tunnel
a drift way was carried under the river at Rother-
hithe, a distance of 1,010 feet and within 130 feet of
the opposite shore. Meeting with a body of quick-
sand, being interrupted in the operation by the in-
flux of water, and having no very great inducement
to fill the breach, and continue the excavation, it was
abandoned. The above drift proceeded at the rate
of 4 to 10 feet per day, only one man being employ-
ed in digging the same.
The top and sides were shored with timber and
plank similar to the present mode of drifting in mines,
no brick arch being turned therein.
The success which was met with in this under-
taking laid the foundation for the present magnificent
work now erecting under the direction of M. J.
Brunei, Esq.
The plan which I propose of crossing the river at
some suitable place in the vicinity of Warren or
Charles River Bridges is more fully explained as fol-
lows.
On the shore at each side of the river a well of 10
feet internal diameter, is sunk to a depth of 80 feet.
A small circular gallery or tunnel of masonry 6 feet
internal diameter proceeds in a horizontal direction
from one of these wells to the other on the opposite
side. The water pipes pass down the well on the
Charlestown side ; thence through the under ground
passage or gallery to the opposite well ; rising up
through the same and continuing from thence to any
desired part of the city.
As the excavation for this drift way would only be
about 9 feet diameter, in order to construct therein a
brick gallery of 6 feet internal diameter ; and as the
earth removed would in all probability be a compact
stiff clay, it will at once he evident that it is in point
of magnitude and cost, no Thames tunnel affair, hut
perfectly feasihle and of simple construction.
By a project of this nature every foot of the mains
leading from the pond into the city, can be inspected
and repaired whenever necessary.
A brick gallery 6 feet internal diameter will be
sufficient for two trains of water pipes of 22 inches
diameter, a main gas pipe for lighting Charlestown
from the Boston Gas works, and sufficient space for
workmen to pass throughout the same at any time for
the purpose of repairing or examining the pipes.
Estimate of cost of a circular arched gallery under
Charles River, 6 feet internal diameter, 3 courses of
bricks, sides 12 inches thick, length 1500 feet.*
851 M of bricks a p, ,^6,808 00
Amount carried forward, 6,808 00
* Since the above was written it has been discovered that by crossing tinder
the bed of the stream below or east of Charles River Bridge, or from the solid
part of Gray's Wharf in Charlestown to the solid part of Brown's Wharf on
the Boston side — the distance or length of brick gallery may be reduced to
about 1,000 feet, thus saving from four to five hundred feet, which would
materially lessen the above estimate of cost.
2
10
Amount brought forward, 6,808 00
Cement 2, S27 bbls. a p, 6,381 00
Sand and clay, for puddling, 330 00
Laying bricks and tending perM, ;^10, 8,510 00
Excavation a ^7 per lineal foot, 10,500 00
140 M brick or wells a ^8, 1,120 00
Digging each well at ^1,000, 2,000 00
350 bbls. Cement a #3, 1,050 00
Sand, 35 00
Laying bricks and tending a ^5 per M, 700 00
Cost of two steam engines with pumps
for raising water, and fuel for same,
deducting sale of same after com-
pletion of work, 5,000 00
To which add for contingencies and
extra work not enumerated, 15,000 00
;^57,434 00
The above sum of ^1 per lineal foot for the exca-
vation of the drift, is obtained from data furnished me
by one of the agents of the mining companies at Mans-
field, and is the sum it costs them per foot for this
size of drift. They pay about ^9 per foot when the
excavation is through rock. Therefore if in our fu-
ture calculations we assume the arched gallery to cost
j^60,000, in all probability we shall not be far from
truth.
In the late report of the Water Commissioners, we
find it stated that the distance from the proposed
reservoir on Walnut Tree Hill, to the reservoir on
Beacon Hill, is 39707 feet, or 7, fo'o miles, by the way
of the route over the Mill Dam. All other things
being the same, if, instead of adopting this route, we
11
lay a pipe from the reservoir at Walnut Tree Hill, by
the shortest route through Charlestown, under the
river in the brick gallery, to the reservoir at Beacon
Hill, we shall have saved a distance of at least 2^
miles of pipe; which according to their estimate will
cost ^107,152 00
Stone Bridge over Charles River 14,000 00
Arches and additions required to cross
sluice ways at Mill Dam 8,493 00
2 Culverts 1,000 00
Contingencies, 10 per cent. 13,064 50
^143,709 50
From which subtract the cost of brick
gallery under Charles River 60,000 00
;^83,709 50
Thus is left a clear saving of 83,709 fo°o dollars at
the first outlay, by the route through Charlestown, if
a pipe of 22 inches is used.
For reasons stated in the report of the Water Com-
missioners, they affirm " that by means of a main
pipe extending from the city reservoirs to the source,
of much smaller dimensions than would be required
were no reservoir provided in the city; an abundant
supply will be kept up at all times of the day, and a
great saving of cost attained by this expenditure ;"
they also state they used the formulae of Prony in the
calculations of the size of their pipes, and for the de-
livery of 2,592,000 gallons per day, a 22 inch main
would be required.
By the formula Q=38,l 16 v/D^, where Q=the
12
discharge per second=4.0103 cubic feet, D=the
theoretical diameter, and j=i or lengfn'^^soTo-j we deduce
D, or diameter=lfooo feet, or say 22 inches. Now let
us deduce from the formula the proper theoretical
size of a pipe from the reservoir at Walnut Tree Hill
through Charlestown to Beacon Hill. Then the
equation becomes Q=38,116v'D^ 27^29 ! roS pipe i and
D=liooo feet, or saj 20t| inches.
Then from the above it will be clearly seen that
there is a saving of 1§ inches in the diameter of the
pipe, which in the distance of 27827 feet will amount
to ^38,300, reckoning weight of pipe and lead saved.
Contingent expenses of 10 per ct. should also be added
to above which increases the same to ^42,130. Then
if we deduct ^^'7000 the amount to be expended in the
extra thickness of the main through the brick gallery,
we have ;^35,lo0, which added to the above sum of
;^83,709,50 gives 118,839 fo°o dollars, as the adval
amount saved by adopting the route from Walnut Tree
Hill through Charlestown instead of that over the Mill
Dam.
From the above calculations of the discharge and
size of pipes, it will at once be evident that the Water
Commissioners have adopted the theoretic size of pipe,
to insure the delivery of 4 cubic feet per second
throughout 24 hours at the reservoir on Beacon Hill.
As all the formulae of Du Buat, Prony and Etelwyn
fail in giving true results, and on the authority of Mr.
F. Graff of the Philadelphia Water works, neither
come up to practice ; particularly in long ranges of
pipes where flexures and undulations abound, and as
atmospheric air and incrustations of the internal sur-
faces of the pipes soon materially retard the flow of
13
water through the same, it behooves us not to stride
over nor crawl under such diificulties, without large
conduits.
The calculations for the size of main pipes for the
Fair Mount Water works utterly failed, so that the
corporation have since been obliged to lay down
another main of 20 inches diameter. To be certain
of a discharge of 4 cubic feet per second, would seem
to require a material addition to the size of the main„
when we take into consideration the effects of incrus-
tation and resistance from other causes.
At page 32 of the Commissioners' report we find
the following. " We have assumed the population at
the end of ten years (or 1 848) requiring a supply of
water, will be 105,000, and that it will increase in
ten more years to become 150,000. There will be
required then on the average for that ten years (or
/rom 1848 to 1858) 3,619,000 gallons a day ; or about
1,119,000 a day more than the average quantity pro-
vided for, " during the first ten years. To furnish this
quantity, there will he required in 1848, a new steam
engine and pumps at Mystic Fond, which ivith build-
ings ivill cost 45,000 ; and a pipe from Walnut Tree
Hill reservoir to the reservoir on Beacon Hill, ivhich
will cost ^358,157." They also affirm in another
part of the report that the ivaters of Mystic Pond ivill
not he required for four years or until 1 842, from
which time to 1848 there will be an average of 650,-
000 gallons per day pumped into the reservoir from
Mystic Pond.
Now let us compare the cost of a brick aqueduct
proceeding from the pond to steam-works at Bunker
Hill, (where the water is to be forced into a reservoir
14
thereon,) with the cost of this extra pipe from the Wal-
nut tree hill reservoir, in 1848, the time when the
latter must be laid.
Cost of brick aqueduct from Mystic Pond to Bun-
ker Hill, calculated to discharge 8, /om cubic feet per
second, or 5,288,328 gallons per day.
4,3331 M bricks, at ,^8, p4,668 00
Cement and laying same, 49,315 00
Trenching and filling, 32,100 00
Crossing Mystic River, &c. 3,500 00
Pipes from end of aqueduct to reservoir, 2,000 00
To which add for expenses not enumer-
ated, 12,158 30
^133,741 30
The above sum 133,741 ^^^ dollars would be ex-
pended in 1842; from which time to 1848, an inter-
val of six years will elapse, when it will become re-
quisite for the city to expend ^358,157 for the pipe
from Walnut tree Hill to Beacon Hill. Then ^133,-
741 fHo at interest for six years at 5 per cent., will
amount to ^173,863 ,"^00; to which add f 7000 for ex-
tra thickness of pipe through brick gallery under
Charles River, equals ^180,863 jo^f,; which subtracted
from ^358,157, leaves ^177,293 Z gained hj the
brick aqueduct at the expiration often years or 1848.
Moreover we have at command 7,388,328 gallons of
water per day if required ; so that if there should be
any deficiency from Spot Pond, the same can always
be relied on from Mystic Pond.
It is unnecessary for us in the above to take into
account the pipe from the Bunker Hill reservoir to the
Boston side of Warren Bridge ; for this may be con-
sidered as belonging to the distribution of Charles-
15
town, and as its course would be through the Main
street or that portion of Charlestown where the wa-
ter would be mostly taken, it would undoubtedly af-
ford as good interest on its cost as any other main
pipe.
Next let us examine the difference in cost between
a main pipe from Spot Pond [via Medford turnpike,
through reservoir on Bunker Hill] to the Boston shore
near Warren or Charles River Bridge; and one from
the same source through Walnut tree Hill reservoir
[over the Mill Dam] to reservoir on Beacon Hill.
If we examine the estimate for the main of 22
inches diameter, as exhibited by report of commis-
sioners, we shall find by making a proper allowance
for teaming pipes, and for air and stop cocks, that
they would estimate the pipe to cost, laid, (contin-
gencies 10 per cent, included) to be ,^601,414 fjl,? the
distance being 56,496 feet.
The distance from Spot Pond to the Boston shore
near Warren Bridge, may be taken at 34,534 feet,
and a conduit pipe on this route would cost as fol-
lows.
33,174 feet of pipe, 22 inches diam-
eter, a j^9,02 per foot, (the sum such
pipe is estimated by the Commis-
sioners to cost) ^299,229 48
Pipe under Charles River, (extra thick-
ness) 17,416 44
Damages to land, 1,000 00
Air and stop cocks, teaming pipes, &c. 4,000 00
Brick gallery and wells at Medford
River, near Medford Bridge, crossing
canals, &c. 14,000 00
Contingent expenses, at 10 per cent. 33,514 59
^^369,210 41
Therefore the whole cost of this pipe, is the above
sum of 0369,210 Z; to which add ,$f60,000 cost of
gallery under Charles River, equals ^429,210 /ooj which
subtracted from the cost of main on route through
Walnut Tree Hill, and over Mill Dam, as proposed
bj the Water Commissioners, leaves the sum of
^172,204 Z actually saved.
Let OS suppose for the sake of fair comparison the
pipe to be 34,534 feet long, or that the distance be-
tween Spot Pond and Bunker Hill Reservoir is equal
to 34,534 feet, that the head between the pond and
reservoir is 35 feet. Then by formula of Prony, Q
= 38,116 VlF]'; D = I So', feet or 19J inches=di-
ameter of a pipe calculated to deliver 4 cubic feet per
second, or 2,592,000 gallons per day. From whence
it will be discovered there is a difference of 2| inch-
es between the diameters of the two conduits; which
will be found to be equal to a difference of cost of
057, 32Q /o'j, which should be added to the above sum
6f $n2,2Q4>, 2 =$229,530 g, or the saving at the
first outlay in iron conduit pipes.
It must be understood, as was before mentioned,
that the theoretic discharges and sizes of pipes are
compared ; as we may infer, from the commissioners
assertions, that such pipes will be of sufficient diame-
ters to ensure a supply when the water is continually
running through the same for 24 hours.
The above difference of cost between the two
routes, viz. ^229,530 i^fo put at interest at 5 per cent,
for four years, amounts to #275,436 /oV This may
. 17
be more properly considered as the amount saved be-
tween the routes at the period where it shall become
necessary to erect steam w^orks to supply water from
Mystic Pond. If we continue the calculation of in-
terest on ^^229,530 i*;fo, the amount at the end of ten
years, or 1848, will be $3U,2do,l\.
Then by combining the amounts saved by the
brick aqueduct, from Mystic Pond to Bunker Hill,
and the conduit pipe from Spot Pond, through Charles-
town, as follows, —
Brick Aqueduct, ^177,293 31
Iron Conduit Pipe, 344,295 94
^521,589 25
we obtain 521,589^00 the sum saved the city at the
end of ten years, (or 1848) in conduits alone by
adopting the route through Charlestoivn, or through
the brick gallery as proposed under Charles River.
The next subject requiring examination, is the
saving of cost of reservoirs.
It is stated in the report of the Commissioners, that
a reservoir 250 feet square and 10 feet deep will be
required at Walnut Tree Hill, and that this reservoir
will cost ^'13,000. The price to be paid for the
land for the above reservoir, is not stated in a man-
ner to enable us to ascertain what the same would
amount to. In all probability, we shall not be far
from truth, if we assume it, together with the cost of
land at Mystic Pond, required for steam works, to be
equal to ^5,000. The reservoir will then cost ;^1 8,000«
If we then consider a sufficient quantity of land and
flats at Bunker Hill, together with a wharf, to cost
3
18
^18,000; and the same kind of reservoir to be built
thereon, the expenditure for land and reservoir v^^ill
be j^31,000, to which add 10 per cent, for contingen-
cies, equals ^34,100.
The Reservoir at Bunker Hill will be situated at a
less distance from the head of State street, than the
Fair Mount reservoirs are from Chestnut street, Phil-
adelphia; and thus any expenditure for reservoirs in
the city may be avoided.
The Commissioners estimate the reservoirs on
Beacon and Fort Hills to cost for land and struc-
tures, including the amount allowed for contingent
expenses 10 per cent. =;^85,440 84. The difference
between this latter sum and ,^34,100, the cost of
land and reservoir at Bunker Hill, is ^51,440 foo?
which may be considered the sum saved by the re-
servoirs at the first outlay. If we add io the above
the interest on the same for 10 years, the amount will
be ;^82,305 34, which is the sum saved at the end of
ten years, or 1848.
The report of the Water Commissioners also states
that the actual expense of fuel for pumping 650,000
gallons of water per day for the year, will be ^790.
They assume ^10 to be the value of a chaldron of
coal at Mystic Pond ; from which it is evident they
require 79 chaldrons per year. The same coal may
be afforded, delivered at the wharf of the steam
works, at Bunker Hill, for ^1 fo^, less in the chaldron,
creating a saving of ;^118 fol) per year, amounting with
interest, at the expiration of 6 years, or 1848, to
^806. If we continue our calculation for the next
ten years, we shall find the difference would be very
materially augmented, and always be an increasing
19
expense, as the city shall require a greater supply of
water. I have thus far, in my comparison, supposed
the water which is to be raised, to be elevated 120
feet. If, as I stated in my report to the city govern-
ment in 1835, Spot Pond will always supply the high
service of the city, or that part of it situated on ground
of 20 feet and upwards above high tides ; the waters
of Mystic Pond need be raised only 60 feet, of course
at one half the expenditure of fuel required to elevate
the same quantity 120 feet. So that here is a sub-
ject for still further consideration, but on which I
deem it unnecessary to scrutinize more particularly.
Having before shown that there will be an actual
saving of ^229,530 uil,, by the iron conduit pipe from
Spot Pond, through Charlestown to Boston, over that
from the same pond, by the way of Walnut Tree
Hill, over the Mill Dam to Boston, I shall proceed to
ascertain what the city will gain at the expiration of
four years, or in 1842.
The sum of ^229,530 f^^, put at interest at 5 per
cent, for four years, or from 1838 to 1842, will amount
to ^275,436 i^V The estimated cost of the brick
aqueduct from Mystic Pond to Bunker Hill, as be-
fore stated, is ;^ 133,741 fo*!)? which subtracted from
the above sum ^275,436 /o'o, leaves ^141,695 tm-
To this latter we must add the sum saved in reser-
voirs, together with 5 per cent, interest on the same
for four years — the two latter amounting to ^^61,729.
Thus ^141,695 ifo plus ;^61,729,=^^203,424 tL which
will produce yearly at 5 per cent, interest, ^10,171
1^0* The sum of ^118,50 per year, say in transport-
ing fuel, should be added to ^10,171 foo? amounting
to ^10,289 i^ol)- On recurring to the Water Commis-
20
sioners report at paj^c 72, vvc lind they estimate the
whole expenditure per year for coal, superinteiidant,
engiiienian, wear and tear, insurance, &c., required to
force 5,000,000 gallons 120 feet high through a 15
inch pipe, 8250 feet or 1 i^ miles long, to be y*^! 1,808.
To raise water 120 feet they assume the pressure to
be overcome to be equal to a column of water 150
feet high ; thus adding a pressure of a column of
30 feet, as an equivalent force for the friction and re-
sistance of 8250 feet of pipe.
As the engines at Bunker Hill would be situated
at only about 200 or 300 feet from the reservoir on
top of the same, it is evident, that there will be re-
quired a much less expenditure of coal, to force any
given quantity of water into Bunker Hill Reservoir,
than there would be to elevate the same to the reser-
voir on Walnut Tree Hill. Therefore from tlu; above
examinations, the following conclusions are deduced.
The mere difference in expense saved at first out-
lay by an iron conduit pipe from Spot Pond, via
Charlestown (through the brick gallery under Charles
River,) over the one from Spot Pond by the Mill
Dam or route recommended, will be sufficient when it
shall become necessary to use the water of i\!ystic
Pond, (or 1842) to build the brick aqueduct of masonry
therefrom to Bunker Hill, and supply the City of Bos-
ton for ever iviih 5,000,000 gallons of ivater from
Mystic Pond free of any yearly expense : whereas
by the plan devised and reported by the commission-
ers, the city would be subject for the succeeding six
years, to the annual cost of elevating 650,000 gallons
a day, which would be a continual and increasing ex-
pense in proportion to the consumption.
21
As we are informed by the Water Commissioners,
that the expenditure in 1842, for steam works at
Mystic Pond, for one engine and pumps, sufficient to
elevate 2,500,000 gallons per day if required; together
with the pipe from the same to Walnut Tree Hill
would be ^80,640, the same sum would be sufficient
to furnish two engines and pumps at Bunker Hill of
the necessary power to force 5,000,000 gallons into
the reservoir thereon.
Any objections which may be raised against forc-
ing water at Mystic Pond through a pipe 8250 feet,
or 1 foifo miles long, will not apply to the works at
Bunker Hill, as the distance between the steam en-
gine and reservoir is only a few hundred feet. Again,
if it should be desirable to lift the water perpendicu-
larly, and thereby render the duty of the engine pre-
cisely equal to that of the Cornish engines described
in the report of the Water Commissioners, the same
can be effected at a trifling expense, by excavating a
small drift into the body of the hill, through which the
brick aqueduct might communicate with a perpendic-
ular shaft or pump well sunk in the engine house on
top of the hill.
The above remarks are offered, not as intendiner to
show in this particular instance that lifting the water
would be preferable to forcing the same, but are only-
presented to exhibit how for objections to forcing the
water through a very extended pipe will apply to the
steam works at Bunker Hill.
In order to rebut any objections that may be rais-
ed against the aqueduct of masonry on account of the
injurious effect of the cement on the water passing-
through the same, I have added the cost of an iron
pipe of sufficient size and thickness, under a fifteen
feet headj to convey 5,000,000 gallons of water per
day to Bunker Hill. If a dam is raised at Mystic
Pond, six feet high, it is evident by laying the iron
conduit to a proper depth, we can command a head
of 15 feet from the pond, to the pump wells at Bun-
ker Hill. We deduce under the considerations before
enumerated the size of a pipe to deliver 5,000,000 gal-
lons per day, to be 29 inches diameter. As the head
and pressure are small, the thickness may be greatly
diminished beyond that of a pipe under a head of 150
feet, so that we shall find on making a very liberal
allowance for contingent expenses, that such a con-
duit when laid, will cost ^250,000.
The sum saved at first outlay, or in 1838, by a
pipe from Spot Pond [via Bunker Hill,] under Charles
River to Boston, over the one proposed to be laid on
the route via Mill Dam, by the Commissioners, was
before stated to be ^229,530 f^Q, to which add saving
in reservoirs pi, 440 fo'o, we have ^280,971 2- This
sum put at interest for four years, at 5 per cent,
amounts to p37,165 7oV From this latter subtract
;^250,000, the cost of iron conduit pipe, and we ob-
tain a remainder of ^87,165 /oV Now add to ;§f87,-
165 7o*o) the cost of the pipe from Mystic Pond to re-
servoir on Walnut Tree Hill=j^35,640, and we ob-
tain the sum of ^122,805 ^q, actually saved when it
becomes necessary to use the waters of Mystic Pond.
The interest at 6 per cent, on the above sum is
;^7,368 Z per year.
The Commissioners assume the duty of the engine
to be 60,000,000 lbs. of water raised one foot by one
bushel of coal ; from which it will be found that to
23
force 2,500,000 gallons per day to the necessary
height into a reservoir on Bunker Hill, we shall re-
quire 372 chaldrons of coal per year; which at ^8J
the price of coal at Bunker Hill, will cost, ^^3,162 00
Superintendent of engines per year, 1,000 00
3 Firemen a ^1,50 per day, 1,642 00
Wear, tear and insurance, 1,500 00
Whole yearly cost, ^7,304 00
Then from the above calculations we arrive at the
conclusion that the saving of expense of the first out-
lay (1838) between the iron pipe from Spot Pond
through Charlestown, and the one as recommended
by the Water Commissioners to be laid on the Mill
Dam route to Beacon Hill, will be sufficient to lay
an iro7i conduit pipe in 1842, (or when water is re-
quired from Mystic Pond,) from Mystic Pond to
Bunker Hill free of any expense to the city : so that
the city may then be considered to be supplied from
the two sources Spot and Mystic Ponds with 4,600,-
000 gallons per day^ree of expense.
By the plan of the commissioners there will be the an-
nual and increasing expenditure required to elevate
650,000 gallons per day.
Recapitulating the results herein before obtained,
the amounts saved by adopting the Spot and Mystic
Pond routes, through Charlestown [under Charles
River in a brick gallery] to Boston, will be as follows.
1. By adopting the nearest route
through Charlestown, for the main con-
duit pipe from Walnut Tree Hill Reser-
24
voir to Beacon Hill, over the route from
the same, by way of Mill Dam to Bea-
con Hill Reservoir, ^118,839 50
2. Amount gained by a brick aque-
duct from Mystic Pond to Bunker
Hill at the expiration of 10 years, (or .
1 848) over the second main conduit pipe
proposed by the commissioners to be
laid at this period, 177,293 31
3. Amount gained Rtjirst outlay (or
1838) by an iron conduit pipe from
Spot Pond, via Medford Turnpike and
Bunker Hill to Boston [near Warren
Bridge,] over one from the same source
through Walnut Tree Hill [by the way
of Mill Dam] to Reservoir on Beacon
Hill, 229,530 63
4. Amount gained by the above in
10 years, (or 1848,) 344,295 94
6. Amount gained at Jirst outlay by
a reservoir at Bunker Hill over the re-
servoirs at Walnut Tree, Beacon and
Fort Hills, 51,440 84
6. Amount gained by the above at
the expiration of 10 years, [or 1848,] 82,305 34
7. Amount gained at the expiration
of 10 years in transportation of fuel by
establishing steam works at Bunker
Hill, 806 00
25
8. The mere difference in expense at the first out-
lay bj an iron conduit pipe from Spot Pond via
Charlestovvn, through the gallery under Charles River,
over one from Spot Pond via Mill Dam (or route re-
commended by Water Commissioners) will be suffi-
cient, when it shall become necessary to use the wa-
ter of Mystic Pond (or in 1842J, to build the aque-
duct of masonry therefrom to Bunker Hill, and sup-
ply the City of Boston forever with 5,000,000 gallons
of water from Mystic Pond free of any yearly ex-
pense. Whereas, by the plan devised and reported
by the Water Commissioners, the city would be sub-
ject, for the succeeding six years to the annual cost
of elevating 650,000 gallons per day, which would be
a continual and increasing expense in proportion to
the consumption. Add to the above 2,100,000 gal-
lons from Spot Pond and the amount becomes 7,100,-
000 gallons per day. By plan of the commissioners,
the city could only command the average supply of
2,100,000 gallons per day free of expense.
9. The mere difference in expense saved at first
outlay by an iron conduit pipe from Spot Pond via
Charlestown, through the brick gallery under Charles
River, over the one from Spot Pond via Mill Dam, (or
route recommended by Water Commissioners) will
be sufficient when it shall become necessary to use
the water of Mystic Pond, (or in 1842) to provide
and lay an iron conduit pipe from Mystic Pond to
Bunker Hill and to force 2,500,000 gallons of water
per day (for ever) into a reservoir on Bunker Hill,
free of any expense to the city; so that the city may
be considered to be supplied from the two sources
26
Spot and Mjstic Ponds, with 4,600,000 gallons per
day free of expense. Whereas by the plan of the Wa-
ter Commissioners there will be an annual and in-
creasing expenditure of forcing 630,000 gallons per
day.
10. Lastly. The whole sum which the city
would gain at the expiration of 10 years from the
present time by adopting the routes of conduits from
Spot and Mystic Ponds through Charlestown, in
manner herein proposed by me, over the routes re-
commended by the commissioners, would be
^604,700 59
I have no doubt from the haste in which these cal-
culations have been made and the little time I have
devoted to them, that small errors may have crept in
unobserved; but should such be the case I am fully
confident there is still sufficient latitude to allow for
any diminution of either of the estimates ; so that the
final results herein obtained cannot be seriously af-
fected,
I have never feared the result of an examination
by fair and candid minds of the several water projects
which have been proposed.
It has always been my firm belief that Spot and
Mystic Ponds would eventually be adopted as the
cheapest sources of supply ; and now as this question
appears settled, I hope the Water Committee will in-
stitute a careful comparison of the plan herein recom-
mended, with that devised and reported by the com-
missioners.
The only subject at variance seems to be the mode
of introduction, and if the Water Committee will
27
thoroughly examine the same, I feel as sanguine of
the route through Charlestown as I alwas have been
of the mode of introduction, by the combination of
Spot and Mystic Ponds.
Another and material advantage connected with
the route through Charlestown consists in supplying
what may be considered in every respect other than
name and government as a portion of Boston. Com-
paratively speaking, it must be an object of as great
importance to the owners of real estate in Charles-
town, as it is with us, to be able to command a copi-
ous supply of pure water for the promotion of health
and protection against fire.
By the immediate distribution of water throughout
the Mill Pond lands at the northern and western sec-
tions of the city, their value would be at once increas-
ed to a great extent; thus creating a large addition
to the city revenue derived from taxes. Whereas if
the water is introduced by the Mill Dam route, a con-
siderable period will elapse before the pipes can be
extended throughout the northern or that section suf-
fering most for good water. As the Neck and other
lands at the south end are partially supplied by the
Jamaica Pond Aqueduct, it should be a subject of con-
sideration in thus infringing on rights so long held
and enjoyed to the injury of this corporation.
If one thousand families are at present receiving
water by the works from Jamaica Pond, other por-
tions of the city and such as are really suffering
should receive first attention.
The naval interests of the United States at
Charlestown, together with that of our shipping at
the wharves in the vicinity of Commercial and In-
dia Streets, should be subjects of due consideration.
28 '
These are but few of the many advantages which
might be enumerated in favor of the adoption of the
project of introducing water into the city from Spot
and Mystic Ponds, by a conduit pipe from the former
source to Bunker Hill, and an aqueduct of masonry
from Mystic Pond, together with the steam works be-
fore mentioned, and an arched gallery in the vicinity
of Warren or Charles River Bridge.
In making this communication I have been solely
actuated by a desire to place the subject in a true
light before the Water Committee, and hoping it will
receive due consideration from them,
I remain,
Your ob't servant,
R. H. EDDY, Civil Engineer.
In Common Council, March 1, 1838.
Read and referred to the Standing Committee on
the Introduction of Water into the City, and ordered
that 300 copies be printed for the use of the City
Council.
Sent up for concurrence.
PH. MARETT, President.
(Qim^ ©IF iB®^^t)sr^
PETITIONS AND REMONSTRANCES.
In Common Council, March 1, 1838.
The following Petitions for, and Memorials against
the Introduction of Pure and Soft Water into the Ci-
ty, the reading of which being dispensed with, were
laid on the table and ordered to be printed for the
use of the Council.
Attest*
Richard G. Wait, Clerk C. C.
To the Honorable the City Council of the City of
Boston.
The undersigned. Inhabitants of the City, respect-
fully represent —
That in their opinion such is the scarcity of pure
fresh water in Boston, and the pressing demand for it
in every part of the city, that it is highly expedient
2
for the city to begin and complete upon its own ac-
count, the necessary works for the introduction of a
supply from some one or more of the sources in the
vicinity— as soon as the necessary powers can be ob-
tained from the Legislature.
The fact that there is in our city a great scarcity
of this most important necessary of life, your memo-
rialists did not believe admitted of a single doubt, nor
did they believe, after so much has been said by sci-
entific and medical gentlemen upon this long agitated
subject, and after so many complaints as have been
and are constantly making about the scarcity of wa-
ter, and the impurity of that now in use — that there
could be a doubt in the mind of any person, at all
conversant with the matter, that the health, comfort,
and convenience of the citizens generally, would be
greatly promoted by the introduction of an abundant
supply of pure water, and it is therefore with a great
deal of surprise that your memorialists have learnt
that a proposition for bringing about this much desir-
ed object, after having passed one branch of the City
Government by a large majority, is violently opposed
by many members of the other branch, and that the
principal arguments made use of by these opponents,
are that there is already a sufficient quantity of pure
water in the city, and consequently an additional sup-
ply from an external source, is wholly unnecessary,
either for the present or future use of the inhabit-
ants : — and that the inhabitants generally, either do
not want to see the project carried into effect, or take
no interest in it whatever, because they have not
flooded the City Council with their petitions in its
favor.
Now the undersigned, with all due deference to the
gentlemen who make use of such arguments, beg
leave to differ from them in opinion. They think in
regard to the first position assumed by them, " that
there is now such an abundance of water that no
more is needed," is but mere assertion, unsupported
by the facts of the case, and that an inquiry upon this
point among the citizens generally, or among the in-
habitants of any particular ward, would convince gen-
tlemen entertaining such opinions that they are found-
ed in error. With regard to the second position,
" that the citizens do not approve of or take any in-
terest in the project, because they do not petition in
favor of it." Your memorialists have only to observe
that they had believed such an enterprize as that of
supplying the city with pure water would be so
manifestly for the good of the whole people of the
city, that no member of the City Government would
think of opposing it, and that after the subject was
once fairly before the Council, it would be brought to
a successful termination at once. It is a fact, known
to the citizens generally, that this subject has been di-
rectly before the City Council for three or four weeks,
and that already more than a fortnight has elapsed
since it was acted upon and passed with great unan-
imity by one branch of the government, and yet no
remonstrances have been sent in against it. This
fact, in the opinion of the undersigned, is worthy of
much consideration. It shows most clearly, that
there is little or no opposition to the measure on the
part of the citizens, and denotes more strongly the
feeling of the community in regard to it, than does
the absence of petitions.
4
In conclusion, the undersigned beg leave again to
express it as their unqualified opinion, that the public
good requires the mtroduction of a supply of pure
water into the city, as soon as the proper works can
be constructed, and without going into the question
as to the source of this supply, but leaving that to the
discretion and best judgment of the City Council,
they trust that these works will be commenced and
completed with all possible despatch.
Boston, February, 1 838.
Joseph Tilden,
Jonathan Davis,
John Harriman,
Nathaniel Cotton,
Jotham Bush,
M. W. Green,
John A. Page,
Ephraim Marsh,
William Washburn,
Ehsha Field,
L. H. M. Cochran,
E. W. Pike,
Daniel Davies,
John Sawyer,
William C. Perkins,
John Leavitt,
Prentiss Whitney,
S. Harris Hayward,
D wight Prouty,
Enos Briggs,
George Hills,
Presbury Coffin,
Jacob Ulman,
John Bates,
Josbua Child,
Caleb S. Pratt,
Samuel S. Perkins,
Charles Hersey,
Alanson Rice,
Dexter Dana,
Francis Bundy,
Nichols Town,
Alpheus Cary,
CD. Strong,
Samuel Gragg,
Hosea Carthell,
Gridley Bryant,
Ira Drew,
Joseph Blood,
Seth Fuller,
Joel Wheeler,
I. Richardson,
Asa Day,
D. K. Hitchcock,
David Tillson, if the Lor
ig W. G. Pierce,
Pond is used,
Benjamin H. Dewing,
Frederick H. Manson,
Benjamin T. Gould,
Hosea Bartlett,
N. H. Whitaker,
John Mclntire,
Isaac R. Butts,
John Davenport,
John H. Pray,
George Domett,
George W. Talbot,
William S. Sweet,
James S. Bruce,
Calvin Walton,
W. L. Wheeler,
Otis Homer,
George F. R. Wadleigh,
E. Hasket Derby,
Warren B. Thomas,
Jos. Goodwin,
Thomas M. J. Cargill,
Gearfield Leonard,
Joseph W. Tilden,
Jos. W. Ingraham,
A. D. Webber,
Lott Pool,
Frink Stratton,
A. H. Read,
A. W. Upham,
J. M. Plaisted,
Luther Mann,
David Bryant,
William J. Hobbs,
Dexter Harlow,
Phinehas Dow,
Charles Dupee,
Edward A Vose,
George M. Thomson,
Thomas T. Wyman,
Charles S. Hunt,
W. A. Thompson,
Thomas Snow,
6
T. S. Winslow,
George Yendell,
Ebenezer Kenfield,
Otis Gray Randall,
D. H. Williams,
Joshua Jacobs, jr.
Josiah Capen,
William G. Edwards,
Robert B. Williams,
John Sawin,
Bodwell Sargent,
Watson Freeman,
Benjamin Freeman,
Isaac H. Hazelton,
Otis Bullard,
E. R. Broaders,
Charles B. F. Adams,
George Gibson,
Thomas Moulton,
John Perry, jr.
J. B. Pollard,
S. P. Meriam,
Walter Bryant,
John Borrowscale,
Caleb Pratt, jr.
L. V. Badger,
J. M. Thompson,
Thomas L. Rayner,
Theodore N. Hall,
Osgood Hoyt,
J. S. Stackpole,
W. F. Haynes,
John Waldron,
Thomas S. Weld,
James S. Whitney,
William S. Baxter,
John White,
J. H. Palmer
John S. Trott
Samuel O. Aborn
Benjamin F. Stoddard
Charles S. Smith
Phineas Blair
John Heard
John Gray Rogers
W. W. Aylwin, provided wa-
ter be taken from Spot Pond
in Iron pipes.
James H. Blake
Jonathan M. Dodd
A. O. Bigelow
John B. Baker
Cornelius Driscoll
Francis B. Brown
Louis Dwight
Joseph Willard
Grenville W. Gay
Samuel M. Hurlbert
A. H. Rhoades
Charles S. Clark
Henry Alline
Nathaniel Perkins,
Stephen Rhoades^
John Bigelow,
B. H. Andrews,
Harvey Wilson,
L. Norcross,
J. Merrill Kimball,
M. Day Kimball,
J. Francis Kimball,
Charles L. Gibson,
Peter Harvey,
George A. Lord
E. W. Brigham
Henry Bailey,
Grenville T. Winthrop,
William Foster,
Richard Upjohn,
William S. Lovell,
Charles C. Paine, Long
Pond, Iron pipes.
William Gray
A. G. Baxter
William Foster Otis
Alanson Bigelow
George W. Phillips
Jacob Rhoades
Edward Turner
Joseph L. Bates
W. W. Upham
L. Stimson, jr., goes the
death for Long Pond.
N. C. Cary, goes the
death for Long Pond.
J. L. Clendenia
George A. Chafee
Elnalhan Holden
W. C. Reed
Trueman Mory
James Wilson
Thomas Alker
Augustus Peobody
H. M. Willis
Samuet Mclntire
Samuel S. Sumner
William Hales
J. Webster, jr.
F. C. Hunt
M. M. Kellogg
Francis Robbins
Joseph Dean
Henry Poor
Nathaniel Greene, jr.
William B. Stevens
Frederick James
Holmes Ammidovvn
Samuel Farrington
John Brooks Fenno
Samuel R. Payson
Trumbull Ball
John Bancroft
Sewall B. Bond
John B. Cruft
Samuel Wentvvorth
B. S. Clapp
William M. Hatslat
B. A. Goldsmith
Elisha Jacobs
Richard Williams
G. C. Lyford
D. B. Jewett
W. L. Allston
E. P. Mackintire
Austin Dunton
Joseph L. Leach
Charles Barrel
W. W. Peck
Daniel Kimball.
David Morgan
The undersigned, citizens of Boston, respectfully
petition the City Council, to adopt such measures, as
in their wisdom shall be found expedient, for the im-
mediate supply of good and wholesome water to every
portion of the city.
Ichabod Macomber
Bela Hunting
Benjamin A. Tufts
Richard W. Shapleigh
John Hill
Daniel Chamberlain
Silas Pierce
Isaac Means
Joseph H. Cotton
Joseph Cotton
William W. Stone
Aaron Sweet
W. W. Tucker
A. Tucker, jr.
John Tappan
Pliny Cutler
James Haughton
Paul Whitney
Levi B. Haskell
E. Mears
James L. L. F. Warren
William A. Brewer
Nathaniel Brewer
Samuel N. Brewer
William M. Wesson
William Bradford
Benjamin Perkins
John Dane
J. H. Jewett
J. B. Hutchinsonr
Samuel Johnson
Charles F. Hovey
Paul Alden
Henry H. Hall
William Larned
Edward Baldwin
James C. Converse
H. Amidown
Charles Scudder
David W. Horton
Thomas B. Curtis
John M. Hewes
John L. Dimmock
Thomas R. Sewall
Amasa Walker
William Blake
Alfred Greenough
M. R. Pollard
George E. Cook
George P. Bangs
E, A. Raymond
William Underwood
Thomas P. Gushing
E. Matthews
A. W. Thaxter, jr,
W. E. Blanchard
J. Merrill Kimball
Joel Thayer
8amuel F. Morse
Edwin Lamson
M- H. Simpson
George B. Blake
E. Haskell
Isaac Thacher
William Davis, jr,
David Stoddard
Elias Banks
James Tufts
William Page
Arthur McAvoy
Isaac Adams
S. H. Barnes
D. W. Barnes
P. Greely, jr.
W. L. Beal
D. R. Chapman
Gilbert Brownell
William H. Foster
H. Wainwright
WiUiam W. Goddard
G. P. Tewksbury
H. S. Bascom
Calvin Washburn
William Thwing
Henry Cutter
John L. Emmons
Benjamin Bruce
Philo S. Shelton
M. F. Wood
H. B. Mather
Edward C. White
J. Lamson
A. E. Belknap
Elisha D. Winslow
Alfred H. Pratt
Thomas Hall
J. C. Bates
Wm. Jarvis Eaton
William G. Lambert
Thomas D. Quincy
WiUiam B. Reynolds
Nathaniel C. Nash
R. W. Bayley
W. Sayles
L. Norcross
W. B. Spooner
Charles Wilkins
Wm. Lang
E. C. Purdy
Francis R. Bigelow
William A. Wellman
Charles Lane
N. B. Gibbs
Samuel Dana
John Wheeler
Benjamin Seaver
Henry Clapp, jr.
A. N. Moore
James Boyd
Smith Eldredge
J. Thomas Stevenson
L. Sanger, jr.
J. T. Prince
W. H. Delano
Albert Adams
Nathaniel Vinal
Zebeon Southard
Samuel Sanford
John F. Robinson
Peleg Churchill
B. T. Reed
P. Grant
Julius A. Palmer
Anson Dexter
Amos Stevens
John Hartshorn
Joseph Eveleth
Samuel Pearce
Benjamin Rich
Nathan Rice
Joseph Whitney
H. Blashfield
H. S. Chase
E. Copeland, jr,
Josiah Colby
John Slade, jr.
William Lincoln
Jeremiah Fitch
James Leeds, jr.
Lot Clark
John R. Parker
Thomas Howe
William E. Coffin
Z. Cook, jr.
William Parkman
Robert M. Morse
Robert J. Brown
Thomas R. Foster
James S. Wilder
Charles Rice
Alfred Slade
David Cambell
C. F. Baxter
AVilliara H. McLellan
Wyman Osborn
Parker Fowle
H. ,Oxnard
Daniel Kimball
J. Forbush
E. Codman
Charles Cunningham
B. Thaxter
Henry G. Rice
Nahum Capen
Moses Mellen
James W. Gates
10
Samuel Cabot
Henry B. Humphrey
H. K. Horton
Samuel B. Pierce
Henry A. Norcross
A. C. Palmer
Daniel Noyes
Amos Coolidge
Ephraim Lombard
Joseph Barrell
Thomas Lamson
R. R. Rand
George Partridge
Willis Howes
S. C. Gray
Edward Noyes
Benjamin Burgess
John D. Gardner
Charles Brown
Daniel Dole
H. B. Townsend
F. B. Callender
William Blake
Leonard French
J. G. Gibson
W. C. Stimpson
George C. Aitchison
T. R. Marvin
R. D. C. Merry
Horatio Lock
George Davenport
J. B. Lincoln
John D. Stoddard
J. B. Kimball
John Gulliver
D. Babcock
Jabez Fisher, 2d
S. P. Blake
A. Cunningham
E. B. Steason
S. K. Putnam
James Patten
Elijah Cobb
Thomas Haven
David Ramond
W. H. S. Jordan
S. Hancock jr.
Samuel F. Barry
J. A. Blanchard
L. T. Stoddard
D, Lee Child
Edmund Munroe
Daniel C. Bacon
Isaac H. Wright
J. W. Hall
George A. Whitney
J. W. Converse
Josiah Stickney
Francis Bacon
Simon Clough
Isaac Field
Wm. F. Weld
R. C. Kemp
C. E. H. Richardson
Charles Waterman
Aaron Hobart
Joshua Leach
11
To the Honorable the City Council of the City of
Boston.
The undersigned beg leave to express the follow-
ing opinions on the introduction of pure water into
the city, for general use .
1. Convenience, security, cleanliness, health, and
the pleasure of existence, will be more promoted by
accomplishing this object, than by any which can be
done by the exercise of the power conferred by the
citizens on the Council.
2. That it is a good, desirable for all alike, and
will be especially a blessing to those who cannot have
pure water, without the same be brought in by the
city authority.
3. That actual examination by competent men,,
has proved the practicability of bringing in water, and
that nothing is needed but the exertion of the public
officers of the city.
4. That the expense of accomplishing the object,,
cannot be an objection, because the money necessary
may be borrowed, and the product of the investment
would not only pay the interest, but maintain the
works, and provide a fund to discharge the debt.
Lastly. Let the thing be done, and done as
soon as by any exertion consistent with prudence and
reasonable economy, is practicable.
Boston, Febriirary 24, 1 838.
William Appleton William Sullivan
Charles P. Curtis H.G.Otis
Abbott Lawrence Samuel G. Perkins
Henry Williams I. P. Davis
John Allen Albert L. Lincoln
12
Elias Kingsley
John Sikes
Kimball Gibson
E. K. Lyford
S. Center
Slade Luther
Nathaniel Sweet
Jabez Hatch
Joseph W. .Clark
Ralph Thompson
Wyatt Richards
I. S. Rogers
Stephen Dockham
Cushing Nichols
Benjamin Brown
John Cowdin
Timo. Reed
G. M. Thacher
Andrew Abbott
John Hamlin
M. W. Hopkins
N. E. Jenkins
Lyman Goodnow
John Hammond
James Bartlett
William H. Homer
James Stevens
William Stearns
E. L. Snow
Lawrence Nichols
John Pierce
Nathaniel Brown
Hamilton Smith
James Crackbon
E. A. Welbasky
Charles Woodberry
N. W. Jackson
George Hallet
I. Ingersoll Bowditch
P. P. F. Degrand
James Davis
W. P. Fisher
James Riley
C. N. Cummiugs
David Harden
William Crombie
John Park
M. Lee
Reuben Frost
James P. Snow
Jeremiah Washburn
David Granger
Amasa G. Smith
Thomas Appleton
M. L. Wallis
Leonard Spaulding
Enoch Plummer
Amos Stevens
Stephen Titcomb
C. C. Barney
J. Goodnow
G. W. Edmands
Peter Dunbar
Henry B. Lloyd
H. Bosworth
John Foster
Eben. Weeman
Warren Boles
Benjamin Applin
F. B. Winter
F. Cambridge
William Ray
Charles Brown
Joseph Limcoln, jr.
13
Isaac Howe
Elias Payne
F. L. Cusliman
Sam'l K. Bay ley
John Low
J. D. Annable
Leonard Hollon
H. Simmons
Thomas O. Spring
John Hohon
N. P. Snelhng
George Baird
R. O. Sevrens
Caleb Thurston
Thomas M. Howard
Nahum Brigham
Louis Dennis
Benjamin King
A. M. Brigham
Abraham Munroe
John W. Warren
John B. Meserve
Thomas J. Stone
Edward Eastman
Uriah Proctor
Calvin P. Allen
Isaac B. Waitt
Daniel B. Prescott
Samuel A. Allen
W. R. Bawle
John T. Reed
William W. Clapp
George W. Vinton
E. Forrisiall
J. Holbrook
J. W. Merriam
A. Sawtell
Thomas J. Peirce
Albert Guild
Nathaniel Seaver
Aaron Blood
James Newell
S. D. Houghton
H. P. Park
Thomas Davis
Joseph Smith
James Hunkins
Daniel Leverett, jr.
P. Simpson, jr.
John Liscom
John W. Griggs
James Bride
Benjamin Leeds
George S. Tolman
Francis O. Watts
William J. Hubbard
Horace Williams
To the City Council of Boston.
The undersigned, inhabitants, principally of wards
11 and 12, feeling daily the want of pure water in
their families and work shops, respectfully request of
14
your honorable body, that immediate measures be
taken by the City Government to introduce that in-
valuable article.
Boston, February 1838»
J. F. Curiis
Daniel Deshon
Ellis Gray Loring^
Henry Plympton
John H. Stephens
Seth Goldsmith
Henry Parmele
T. C. Stearns
Walter E. Hill
J. P. Clark
C. C. Coolidge
F. Brown
G. D. Flagg
Joseph T. Brown
James Kelt
P. C. Field
Daniel Messinger, jr,
L. H. Morris
Thomas Thompson
William Taylor, jr^
William Brown
Orlando Tompkins
Gardner Edmands
E. Weston, jr.
Charles F. Barnard
Warren Clapp
Edward Bugbee
James S. Marble
Ira Canterbury
John C. Hubbard
C. W. Hartshorn
G. D. Hay ward
Oliver S. Gordon
John Weed
P. H. Richards
Joseph Cheney
M. S. Hyde
L. H. Bradford
B. G. Sweetser
R. H. Robinson
John Holman
Frederick Brown
Jonathan Goddard
Joseph B. Sawtel
Moses Lyon
James C. Averill
John Truman
Elisha Carter
D. Brighnm, jr.
Richard Sanborn
Sewall L. Gregg
John Bennett
John H. Griggs
Reuben Lovejoy
George Savage
Daniel Goodnow
George Goodnow
Aaron Morse, jr.
Stephen Sargent
W. H. Tyler
Aaron Adams, jr.
Elisha White
L. A. Cooledge
Peleg Mann
15
James Barry
Charles Upham, from Pond
H. G. Perkins
Leonard Drake
Leonard Putney
Henry Bowen
Andrew Common
I. M. Albert
J. Drake
Lewis Hersey
Kendall P. Saunders
William Huse
John Osgood, jr.
Edward Coddington
Otis Tufts
James W. Carter
J. Brereton
Stephen Badlam
Job Kent
Isaac B. Sardlees
A. Stuart
Levi Hawkes, jr.
Stephen Murdock
Buckley A. Hastings
George Milton
Oliver Carter
Albert Day
George M. Smith
Asa Piatt
Benjamin Gould
James Hendley
Thomas Brewer
James McDougall
William Burnett
William Defrees
John A. Lamson
Joseph Leeds
Dudley P. Cotton
Joseph A. Ballard
Rollin Abell
Joseph L. Smith
Simeon Child
Thomas Bundle
Shadrach S- Pearce
Wyman Harrington
Edward A. Williams
Cornelius Briggs
Samuel M. Hawkes
Henry K. Hancock
Charles H. Ayliug
John Melville
George H. Sweetser
David Miller
William D. Willard
To the Honorable the Mayor and Aldermen and
Common Council of the City of Boston.
The memorial of the subscribers, inhabitants and
tax payers of said city, humbly represent, that they
are alarmed at the prospect of having the debt of the
city increased in a two or three fold ratio, for the
16
purpose of supplying the city with water, and this
too before any measures are taken to ascertain how
many families and others will take the same, and pay
annually for the use of it — as your memorialists doubt
the willingness of citizens to incur the expense of re-
linquishing their present good supply of well and
aqueduct water with which use has long made them
familiar.
The Hon. Mayor stated in his late inaugural ad-
dress " that a private corporation has for several years
been ready to undertake the work on their own ac-
count, if they could obtain permission," your memori-
alists therefore would more deeply deprecate the pas-
sage of any act whereby the city should engage to
accomplish this work in their corporate capacity, be-
lieving that a private corporation could perform it
with much less expense. The present time does
not, in the opinion of your memorialists, appear to be
a suitable one to increase the taxes or debt of the
city; this is a time of great commercial distress. If
the debt of the city is increased two or three millions
of dollars, the interest at least, must be paid, and that
added to the annual expenses of the city, without any
additional income absolutely known to exist to meet
it, will double the present heavy taxes, thereby creat-
ing a burthen on the citizens, which, under present
circumstances, they are ill able to bear. For these
reasons, your memorialists pray that the project of
bringing an additional supply of w^ater into the city,
may be granted to that " private corporation," which
" has for several years been ready to undertake the
w^ork," or that the City Council will, before any fur-
ther steps are taken in this extensive undertaking,
17
cause an accurate inquiry to be made throughout the
city, and ascertain the names of all the citizens who
are ready and willing to pay annually for the use of
the water, at such rates as the City Council, in their
wisdom, may believe it can be afforded.
And in duty bound, will ever pray.
Boston, Feb. 24, 1838.
David Ellis
Josiah Bradlee
James B. Bradlee
W. M. Sledman
William B. Bradford
J. F. Priest
Calvin Bruce
James Weld
Winslow Wright
S. G. Priest
Henderson Inches
John S. Eliery
Isaac Waters
Samuel Salisbury
James Dennie
Charles Hammatt
R. Lash
Thomas English
Henry Hall
Samuel Hammond
C. C. Parsons
Benjamin Bangs
B. Gorham
C. R. Codman
R. C. Hooper
Henry Hubbard
John Bryant
Andrevt^ J. Allen
E. G. Wellington
Nathaniel Faxon
Joseph A. White
Thomas Curtis
John Stratton
F. B. Houghton
John Ballard
Lemuel Pope
Giles Lodge
Francis Welch
Jacob Hall
Samuel Torrey
Benjamin Russell
Jeremiah Briggs
Moses Wheeler
Charles Sprague
Samuel Fales
John D. Williams
Robert G. Shaw
Benjamin Willis
John Belknap
B. B. Appleton
Samuel Tenney
Samuel May
Henry D. Gray
George Homer
Isaac Stevens
Eben. Chadvvick
James Andrews
Joseph Jones
18
John G. Low
Jeremiah Fitch
George Odin
Samuel Hunt
Joseph Hay
William Eayrs
Calvin Haven
F. H. Bradlee
S. H. Babcock
Andrew T. Hall
Samuel Hall
N. F. Ames
Thomas Thompson
William Reynolds
Joseph Head
Jeremiah S. Boies
James Dalton
Lemuel Crackbon
George C. Thacher
C. W. Cartwright
John Dorr
Benjamin Adams
Isaac Hall
James Sargent
Richard D. Tucker
Henry G. Chapman
Henry Chapman
Stephen Fairbanks
Henry Loring
J. H. Swett
William S. White
J. M. Smith
O. C. Greenleaf
Peter Goodnow
S. Thomas
H. M. Holbrook
J. H. Bowman
H. Lincoln
Edward L. Stevens
Richards Child
J. H. Dorr
John Waters
John O. Page
John G. Powers
J. Parker, jr.
George Pratt
Jeffery Richardson
Henry B. Stone
N. Thayer, jr.
Henry Hatch
Samuel K. Williams
Josiah Stedman
Galen Merriam
William Sturgis
Stephen Brown
Charles Knapp
William Boardman
Perrin May
P. Parker
G. Barker
P. C. Brooks, jr.
I. Packard
Windsor Fay
P. T. Homer
Robert B. Storer
John W. Langdon
William B. Spooner
H. C. Manning
James Brackett
Samuel ToplifF
Henry H. Tuckerman
Edward Blanchard
Joseph Ballard
Samuel Bradlee
19
Henry A. Brewer
Ebenezer T. Andrews
John P. Whiton
Edward D. Peters
A. Chandler
A. O. Wellington
Nathaniel Tracy-
Nathaniel P. Smith
T. A. Tirrell
Joseph B. Wiggin
Josiah Whitney
S. E. Brackett
Ebenezer Bailey
Samuel Hill
James M. Blaney
Daniel Wheelwright
Benjamin W. Gage
John Stearns
Isaac Jackson
Samuel M. Phillips
Noah Brooks
Benjamin Howard
Alfred Wellington
Aaron Livermore
Harrison Fay
Thimas Hills
E. P. Hartshorn
Benjamin Atkins
Jeffrey R. Brackett
William Lawrence
John Eliot Thayer
Horace Dupee
To the Honorable the Common Council of the City
of Boston.
The subscribers, citizens of Boston, do respectful-
ly represent, That our community have been reduc-
ed by circumstances beyond their control from a state
of proud prosperity to a condition verging upon ruin.
All property is greatly reduced in value ; our monied
institutions and public confidence are paralyzed ;
much of our floating taxable property lost ; enterprize
and occupation suspended ; and with no prospect of
an immediate change for the better.
Under these adverse circumstances, it appears to
us that no new project, involving an increase of the
city debt, and an increase of taxation ought to be
sustained.
Therefore they humbly pray that you will restrict
20
the expenses of our city to such objects as may ap-
pear to be necessary, for the good goverment and
health thereof, and in particular, that you will defer
all action upon the project for introducing fresh wa-
ter into the city, from neighboring ponds, until more
prosperous times. We feel that we ought to deny
ourselves this luxury in common with many others,
until our means will afford their use ; we are now in
a diseased condition, and unable to bear an addition-
al burthen ; but restore us to health and prosperity,
and we will again jog on, with such burthen as you
may please to load us.
Daniel Dickinson
Cyrus Wakefield
Andrew Hanson
Charles Ranslead
Dyer Qnimby
John Plaisted
Waker Jones
Samuel Boynton
Reuben Reed
Alexander Wentworth
Charles Woolley
Linus Jackson
William Gould
John T. Robinson
William Robinson
Samuel Lovell
John Milk
Stephen G. Hiler
Thomas Reed
John Rice
Benjamin Clark
Daniel Ballard, jr.
Samuel Lovell, jr.
William Cate
Joseph Hartt
Ephraim Milton
John B. Tremere
Benjamin Burrows
Henry Fowle
John H. Clark
Benjamin Pepper
Francis Low
William Learned
William C. Marden
Samuel N. Cushing
J. Sherman
Benjamin G. Brown
William Dorey
George Fenlee
Peter Black
Enoch H. Wakefield
Ezekiel Lincoln
Hiram Smith
Luke Fay
John Williams
John Smith
Levi Wilcutt
R. T. Hooton
Joseph Hayden
Edward Sargent
21
Francis Horton
John Wilson
Rufus S. Owen
Martin Berds
George W. Gilman
Isaiah B. Libby
William R. Lovejoy
Ephraim Cunningham
Edward Maxwell
Reuben Coombs
G. C. Haynes
Gustavus Burrison
Charles Bradford
Joseph M. Leavitt
William Green
Moses Miller
Joseph Urann
Benjamin Dodd
Otis Munroe
Samuel Yendell
Alexander P. Chandler
Benjamin Comey
Jesse Tuttle
Alexander Lovett
Elijah L. Green
Thomas Somerby
Samuel Bell
Simoa Wilkinson
Oliver Chandler
Abner Smith, jr.
Asa Goodnow
Charles Andre
William Dewhurst
Eleazar J. Howes
John B. Hewes
C. G. Bascom
Simon Wilkinson, jr.
H. L. Gurney, jr.
J. P. Snow
Ebenezer Tasker
E. W. Barnicoat
Josiah G. Lovell
Joseph F. Barber
Edward J. Newhall
Benjamin Gowan
Charles H. Wellock
William W. Kissick
•Tames A. Sutton
Humphrey Chadbourn
John Pratt
John Davis
Thomas Mair
Joseph King
Gideon Jennings
Benjamin C. Seaver
Nathaniel Brown
Samuel S. Pettingil
Benjamin Abrahams
P. Gildersleeve
Henry Andrews
Charles A. Yendell
George W. Brown
Enos Holbrook
Edmund Smith
George Green
Benson Leavitt
William Dillaway
William Hawes
Charles M. Dickinson
Nathaniel Brown
Francis Holmes
E. H. Little
G. A. Godbold
Zenas Snow
22
Charles E. Gay Henry Gurney
S. Beatley Ezra Allen
Samuel Hosea, jr. Joseph Simmons
Ephraim Snow John Rooton
Ezekiel Morse George Hoolon
John Hooton, jr.
To the Hon. Mayor and Aldermen and Common
Council of the City of Boston.
The undersigned having learned that the City Gov-
ernment intend incurring a debt of some millions of
dollars, with a view of bringing water into the city,
for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants there-
with, would respectfully suggest to your Honorable
bodies, whether it would not be a prudential step,
first to ascertain who of our citizens want, and will
pay for the water, before the same is introduced and
the debt contracted.
Your memorialists, who have hereunto set their
names, respectfully ask that the project may for the
present be suspended, until more information may be
obtained as to who wants and who will pay.
James B. Richardson Levi Bliss
Prentiss Hobbs Andrew Drake
Solomon Piper John Curtis
Jonathan Lane Frederick Curtis
L. Snow Jed. Tuttle
Francis Bullard Perry Brigham
Thomas Cunis Charles French
WiUiam Badger, jr. Robert Bobbins
Nathaniel G rover Shepard Bobbins
James Dillon Joseph Calfe
23
"William D. Jenkins
George W. Miller
George Miller, jr
William Rupp
Archibald Hill
Seth Dewing
William Thompson
Simon HiifF
Henry Blaney
John Cloyd
Thomas B. Warren
Isaac Prescott
Timothy Tenny
George Farwell
Benjamin Pike
William Goddard
Darius Dutton
R. A. Newell
Nehemiah S. Calfe
William H. Prentice
George W. Prentice
Thomas C. Bell
James Bliss
Thomas N. Kingsbury
George W. Wilkins
George Hall
Caleb I. Pratt
Anthony Hanson
John C. Cook
Daniel Draper
Tisdale Drake
Gideon L. Pease
Joshua Molt
Loring Gardner
Francis Holway
James Arnold
To the Honorable the Common Council of the City
of Boston.
The subscribers, citizens of Boston, do respectful-
ly represent, — That our community have been reduc-
ed by circumstances beyond their control, from a state
of proud prosperity, to a condition verging upon ruin.
All property is greatly reduced in value ; our monied
institutions, and public confidence are paralyzed;
much of our floating taxable proper lost; enterprize
and occupation suspended ; and with no prospect of
an immediate change for the better.
Under these adverse circumstances it appears to us,
that no new project involving an increase of the city
debt, and in increase of taxation, ought to be sustained.
24
Therefore, they humbly pray that you will restrict
the expenses of our city to such objects as may ap-
pear to be necessary for the good government and
health thereof, and in particular, that you will defer
all action upon the project of introducing fresh water
into the city from neighboring ponds, until more pros-
perous times. We feel that we ought to deny our-
selves this luxury in common with many others, until
our means will afford their use ; that w^e are now in a
diseased condition, and unable to bear an additional
burthen ; — but restore us to health and prosperity, and
we will again jog on with such burthen as you may
please to load us, in reason.
Noah Lincoln
Dexter Dickinson
Nathaniel Nottage
Samuel C. Nottage
James Loring
William Cook
George A. Wilkins
John P. Whitwell
William Harris
Washington Armstrong
Thomas White
Daniel Lillie
Elijah Stearns
Michael Dutton
Christopher Gore
Ezra Eaton
Benjamin Smith
John Simmons
Henry Leeds
Isaac Irish
Geo. W. Almy
Thbmas Tirrell
Henry K. May
William Palfrey
A. B. Munroe
Charles W. Woolsey
Benjamin Kimball
Frederick Lincoln
William Tapley
John B. McCIeary
Eleazar G. House
Edward Bell
Samuel Millard
John Doke
John Lally
.Tacob Jones
Nathaniel Goddard
Asa Willbur
Josiah Hiler
Timothy Dodd
N. G. Snelling
John F. Ehot
J. Stetson
George W. Simmons
25
James Fillebrown
Thomas Lewis
Isaac Cazneau
Joseph Clark
Noah Luicohi, jr.
Jonathan Thaxter
John Sargent
Loring Sargent
Thomas Edes
Augustus M. Pulsifer
Isaiah A. Rich
John Adams
James Steele
Wilham Mair
Peter Mair
Hugh Short
Jonathan Loring
Edward W. Tuttle
Thomas Chase
Christopher C. Gore
Josiah Stedman, jr.
Philip Jennins
Samuel Aspinwall
Henry Floyd
WiUiam H. Greely
George Ballard
William P. Tenney
John Swift
Elijah Loring
Thomas Thacher
William G. Billings
Elihu H. Reed
N. F. Frothingham
Thomas W. Herrick
Geo. Thacher
Levi Melcher
W. B. Wilkins
John V. Ford
Thomas Murray
Martin Bates
George Bradford
William Stowe
Robert S. Badger
Joseph Noyes
John Howard
Joseph Fenno
John McField
Charles French
H. H. W. Sigourney
Thomas G. Temple
Georse Bradford
John D. Howard
Henry Carroll
John Torsleff
William DufF
George Gordon
Charles E. Wiggin
Theodore A. Gore
Samuel P. Ridler
Robert Keith
Jocob R. Holmes
Moses Rogers
George Ellis
James S. Wilder
J. L. Loring
Henry Wood
James Parker
John H. Pearson
James H. Bennett
Nathaniel Budd
Joseph Ames
Bo wen Harrington
R. L. Barrus
Richard Brackett
David N. Badger
John Piper
26
Jabez Fisher
Mark Fisher
Nathaniel M. George
William Humphrey
Simeon Butterfield
A. D. Gamage
William Bramhall
William Wildes
Joshua Crane
William B. Oliver
J. E. Curlz
Stephen Tilton
David J. Collier
J. Parker
William Shimmin
George Low
Oliver Adams
Samuel Blake
Albert A. Bent
John H. Gray-
Levi Brown
J. Cullen Ayer
Chas. Eberle
Seth W. Fowle
Joseph Austin
David W. Hill
Thomas Chamberlain
William Collier
Joseph Austin, jr.
Spencer J. Vinal
M. G. Chapin
Elijah Bigelovv
George T. Cook
S. G. Shipley
George Cutter
S. G. Bowdlear
T. B. Warren
E. Wright, jr.
Newell Withington
Quincy A. Keith
Samuel Wheeler
John F. Pay son
Abner Dearborn
Constant T. Benson
Wm. H. Leonard
E. F. Pratt
George Munroe
(ca^n (^w
MR. SARGENT'S COMMUNICATION.
In Common Council, March 1, 1838.
The following document, submitted by Mr. Shat-
tuck, being a letter from L. M. Sargent, Esq. relative
to certain questions propounded to him by Eliphalet
Williams, Esq., in reference to the Boston Aqueduct
Corporation, was laid on the table and ordered to be
printed for the use of the Council
Attest, Richard G. Wait, Clerk C. C.
Boston, Feb. 21, 1838.
Sir,
To the questions, five in number, proposed in
your letter of the 16th current, I send you the sub-
joined replies.
1st. W^hen was the Boston Aqueduct Corporation
incorporated ?
Answer. A. D. 1795.
2d. What is its capital ?
Answer. The capital, so far as can be ascertain-
ed, is ^'130,000, or ^1,300 per share. The stock
was originally divided into 100 shares, and has so re-
mained. It has proved a ruinous concern to the orig-
inal stockholders, many of whom sold their stock for
j^300 per share, after having paid in ^1,000 per
share. The present market value is from ^500 to
0600 per share, perhaps less ; sales however are un-
frequent.
3d. What are the average dividends ?
Ansiver. No dividend was made, during the first
ten years after the works were commenced. The
average dividend for 30 years, since 1807, when the
first dividend was made, is ^51 76 per annum, or a
fraction less than 4 per centum per annum, on a share
of ^1,300.
4th. What number of families take it ?
Answer. The corporation now supplies between
1,400 and 1,500 houses.
5th. What proportion of the dwellings that it pass-
es take the water ?
Answer. According to the best judgment of the
superintendent, T. A. Dexter, Esquire, about one
dwelling house in every four, within its range, is
supplied, on an average. In certain streets, recently
laid out, where new buildings are erected, nearly all
the houses take the water; and, in most of these
cases, no other supply of water is afforded. This is
especially true of new houses on the neck lands, and
in all the new streets and avenues, extending south
from Pleasant street, and in Front and Charles street,
and in some of the streets north of Cambridge, and
3
west of Chamber streets. In many of the old streets,
Washington, Tremont, Essex, Summer, &c., the
aqueduct passes a large number of houses, without
supplying them. In Washington street, ranging from
No. 188 to No. 833, the whole number of customers
is 183. In Tremont street, which numbers, as far as
West street, 143 houses, we have only 30 customers.
In Mason street, a main supply pipe was laid down
upwards of four years ago, at the earnest solicitation
of the inhabitants of Collonade. row^, so called, and,
up to the date of my letter, four houses only, in that
entire row, have requested and been supplied with
the water.
I have thus, sir, replied to your enquiries. At the
close of your letter, you invite me to subjoin to my
replies " any other information" I " may deem im-
portant, in relation to the subject."
I have been a stockholder in the Boston Aqueduct
Corporation for twelve years, and a director for a
large portion of that time. An extreme reluctance to
encounter the imputation of a secret and selfish mo-
tive has prevented m.e from taking any part in the
discussion of this important question, through the
medium of the public journals or otherwise. Upon
your suggestion, however, I will venture a few ob-
servations, and offer one or two statements of facts.
Every man will give me credit for sincerity, in the
ratio of his own consciousness of an ability to speak
impartially upon a matter, wherein he has a personal
interest. For the accuracy of such facts as I may
state, I am responsible — of my opinions you and oth-
er men may judge for yourselves. So far as these
facts may be gathered from the books and papers of
4
the corporation, those books and papers have been
tendered, for the inspection of the City Government,
upon more than one occasion ; and, on behalf of the
directors, my associates, I tender them again.
I have patiently listened to much abuse, which has
been heaped upon this corporation, in the public jour-
nals and elsewhere. It is certainly wholly undeserv-
ed. Eight water companies supply the city of Lon-
don. They are not menaced, from year to year, with
an overwhelming municipal interference, in the form
of a grand city aqueduct. They invest their money
with a feeling of security. The Boston Aqueduct
Corporation is willing to do the very same thing, up-
on the very same encouragement. In evidence of
this, permit me to revive your recollection of their
memorial, presented to the City Government, Aug.
20th, 1836, in the following words.
" To the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Bos-
ton the memorial of the Boston Aqueduct Corporation
respectfully represents : that your memorialists have,
for many years, supplied a considerable portion of the
city with pure and soft water ; that, for the purpose
of meeting the increasing demands of the citizens,
your memorialists have long since caused surveys and
estimates to be made, by Loammi Baldwin, Esquire,
whose report has been before the City Government ;
and by which it appears, that an additional expendit-
ure of money and a more judicious and skilful em-
ployment of their present powers, will enable your
memorialists to supply the city with " ten times''' the
quantity of water furnished at present, and at any
point of elevation, where it may be reasonably requir-
ed ; — that your memorialists have been restrained
from the requisite extension of their works, and the
necessary investment of money for that end, by an
apprehension that the City Government, urged by a
strong popular feeling, might, at some time, cease any
longer to permit the provision of pure water to re-
main in the hands of private corporations, as in Lon-
don and elsewhere, where it is supposed, that, by the
competition of such corporations, the public is likely
to be the better served. In connection with the
present exhibition of popular feeling and opinion on
this subject, your memorialists have thought proper to
state to the City Government, in a formal manner,
their perfect willingness to extend their works, agree-
ably to Mr. Baldwin's suggestion, upon any reasona-
ble assurance, if such can consistently be given, that
your memorialists will have no reason to fear any
more formidable competition than that of a private
corporation. On the other hand, should the City of
Boston decide, that it will furnish a supply of pure
'water to the citizens, itself, your memorialists hereby
tender their water works to the city, for a reasonable
compensation. The books and records of the compa-
ny are open for the examination of the City Govern-
ment. All which is respectfully submitted."
The will and the ability of the corporation are
herein sufficiently exhibited. At the present time 15
miles of lineal extent of supply or main pipe are laid
in the city, which distributes the water through the
whole extent of Washington street, as far as the
Marlboro' Hotel, and branching off easterly through
Front street, extends as far north as the Exchange
Coffee House, which it supplies, as well as the Pearl
Street House, the Commercial Coffee House, and
Broad street in an easterly direction. It also branches
off vvestwardlj through Pleasant and Charles streets,
and supplies the Massachusetts General Hospital.
All the Mill Pond Lands and vSouth Cove Land are
within the level and near the lines of supply ; and
the corporation will extend their supply pipes to meet
the wants of these sections, whenever they can feel
themselves secure from an oppressive competition
with the city.
Such is this aqueduct at present. Mr. Baldwin,
whose testimony should be in good odour with the
city, for he is their engineer, as well as ours, has
stated, as you perceive, that we can supply " ten
times " the present amount, and carry the water to
any height, which may be reasonably required. Yet
sir, neither in the commissioners' report of Nov. 23,
1857, nor in the report of Jan. 29, 1838, which is
now before you, is there any allusion to this corpora-
tion. In the report now before you, it is stated, as
the opinion of the colnmittee, that an aqueduct should
be under the control of the city authorities, and not
the property of a private corporation. Such is the
opinion of the authorities of Philadelphia. In Lon-
don it is otherwise, and the city is supplied, as we
have stated, by eight private companies. Now sir,
suppose these splendid conceptions are carried out to
the uttermost — and they are sufficiently dazzling and
magnificent — ^1,507,560, are invested. The city
will not then have that entire control, which your
committee recommends. Our corporation must still
continue to offer its water. If your water rents are
reduced, ours must be also. Will your water be pre-
ferred for its purity ? Probably not. The water of
Jamaica Pond has a very high reputation. Your own
commissioners admit the fact, and acknowledge its
superior purity on page 11 of the report. One of
them, Mr. James F. Baldwin appears not to enter-
tain a very high opinion of the water, in one of the
ponds, from which it is proposed to bring it to the
city. His words are these, " I object to the color
and character of the water, which composes this
source. Much of the water is derived from the Mid-
dlesex Canal, from leaks and wastes on a larger por-
tion of its length. This canal is fed from Concord
River a larger part of whose waters lie every year
nearly motionless, through the dog days, steeping the
grass on the Sudbury meadows. There are also upon
the streams, which flow into this pond 15 or 20 dams
or water privileges, where various kinds of mills and
factories are in operation ; and, though there may not
be, at present, any, more objectionable than hat fac-
tories, tanneries, &c., still, at some future day, they
may all contribute, more or less, to render the water
unfit for domestic purposes," Page 50. To this opin-
ion of their colleague Messrs. Treadwell and Hale
have replied in a manner sufficiently pointed. They
differ from Mr. Baldwin, it appears, entirely, on some
other points in the Report, and your Standing Com-
mittee on water differ from them. They say that
they "cannot think that the sum of ^110,000, which
the commissioners have named as the probable amount
of damage," fee.
I have said, that we should still be obliged to offer
our water for sale ; and we should sincerely regret
the necessity of exercising our chartered right of dig-
ging up the streets, which is certainly a public incon-
8
venience, likely to be trebled by the operations of
two aqueducts and one gas light company, in a city
not remarkable for the width or the straightness of its
avenues.
There may be an end to all our humble competi-
tion with the city. This end is not absolutely invisi-
ble in the distance. Pray, sir, can you assure me, that
the very same popular clamor, which is driving the
city into an expenditure of an enormous sum, for the
introduction of water, will not, at some future day,
perhaps not very distant after all, be heard once more,
demanding an universal freedom from an odious and
oppressive water tax ? And may there not be some-
thing like justice in the demand ? Has not the pos-
tulate of the water party been this, that water should
be as free as the air we breathe ? I have been told
by more than one respectable mechanic of this city,
that he gave his vote in favor of the measure, on a
presumption, that he would have the water, as he has
the high way, for nothing. When this demand shall
have been obtained, competition must cease, and we
shall endeavor to contemplate the ruin of our proper-
ty, as philosophically as possible.
I see nothing at all extravagant in this anticipation.
"Whenever an organized city government suffers itself
to be directed by the feverish expressions of a popu-
lar assembly, the people ascertain their power^ — they
employ it, under the impulse, given by the agitators
of the day — the will of a noisy and highly stimulated
body prevails over the deliberations of boards of coun-
cil — and the demands of the multitude become not
less imperious than they are capricious and chimeri-
cal. Consider a single argument, offered at Faneuil
Hall, as a sample of a large proportion of those,
which were offered to a popular assembly. It was
stated, that a pump in this city, I)elonging to the city,
as a corporation, was kept chained, and that the poor
people — widows and orphans every one. of them be-
yond a doubt — were prevented from getting a cup of
cold water thereat! This was stated, by an orator
of the day, as a fact ; it operated on the feeling of
the assembled multitude, as a fact. On the follow-
ing day, diligent search was made for this pump. It
was no where to be found. The tale was a sheer
fabrication, credited, very probably, by the young
gentleman, who related it, at Faneuil Hall, and upon
whose credulity some one had imposed.
Do not suppose, sir, that I misunderstand the fact,
that a reasonable demand exists in this city for pure
and soft water. On the high lands and upon new
made lands it assuredly exists, to a certain extent ;
but by no means, even there, to the extent alleged
by the water party. I say this, after a careful exam-
ination, and continued enquiries for years. I have
owned real estate, dwelling houses, in this city for
many years. I never received from my tenants but
two complaints in relation to water. In one case,
the main well was in need of being cleaned, and the
suction pipe, from which my tenant drew, received
an earthy deposit. The evil was easily and immedi-
ately remedied, and my tenants of that house have
never since complained. Upon another occasion, a
gentlemen, occupying a house in McLean street,
whose well of water was excellent and abundant, de-
sired me to furnish him the aqueduct, for washing, as
his cistern was small. I replied, that the aqueduct
10
was, I believed in Eaton street ; that ihe corporation
could not bring the main pipe into McLean street, for
one person ; but, if three others would agree to take
the water, I thought the directors would comply with
his request. He stated with perfect confidence, that,
in his opinion, every householder would take it, as
their cisterns were all too small. I heard nothing
from him for a month. When I met him, I enquired
if the inhabitants of McLean street had decided to
take the water. He replied that he had made the
effort, but they did not seem to want it, and the
main pipe has never been carried into that street.
Permit me to enquire whence the great popular ex-
citement, upon this subject, which certainly bears the
marks of agitation ? Are we in any imminent danger
of being poisoned ? There are many aged people
among us, who never tasted any purer or softer wa-
ter than that of their wells. Medical gentlemen have
been sent to the bottom of our wells; and, though
truth is said to lie there, I exceedingly doubt if they
have succeeded in bringing it up. Water has been an-
alyzed, and its impurities set forth in tabular state-
ments. Now sir, you well know there is no such
thing in common use, in any part of the world, as
pure water. So true is this, that medical prescrip-
tions direct it to be distilled, whenever it is desired
to have it j?wre. Mr. James F. Baldwin, one of the
commissioners, has given his opinion, already referred
to, that the water of Mystic Pond, one of the approv-
ed' sources, is anything rather than pure water. In
reply to his remarks Messrs. Treadwell and Hale, his
associates, observe, " It is by no means pleasant to
dwell upon the sources of impurity to which all wa-
11
ters, which can be procured in civilized life, are ex-
posed, whether in ponds, rivers, wells or even
springs." This appears to me a very judicious obser-
vation. It seems however, that, by dwelling upon
these sources, for some object or other, we are about
to be taught, that our wells contain nothing better
than a poisonous beverage. What may this object
be ? Has not the water question become a pivot,
upon which municipal elections are to turn ? Have
we not among us a number of button holding agita-
tors, who argue at the corner of the streets, who are
the agents of a party, and who are equally indefatig-
able and importunate, whether the object be the
procurement of pure rum or pure water ? Are these
men likely to suffer greatly from taxation, when the
public burden shall be laid on ? Are there none
among us, who want a job? Your standhig committee,
in the report before you, as an argument for an imme-
diate commencement of this work, remark that they
see " no better means of aleviating the distresses of
those, who depend upon their labor for support."
This is not only ?i. gracious, but <i popular suggestion.
But, for this end, is it discreet to bring the burthen
of an enormous debt upon the city ? A debt, whose
estimate by the commissioners is, in the opinion of
many judicious persons, altogether fallacious and
inadequate. Your standing committee observe, that
" the interest, spent upon this or any other valuable
improvements, will be no intolerable addition to our
burthens." I believe sir, that very little comfort
will be derived from such negative consolation as
this, by those, who have already thought the municipal
expenditure unwarrantably prodigal, and whose taxes
12
are becoming a topic of loud and almost universal
complaint.
The commissioners appear to anticipate that the
proposed aqueduct will take the place of wells, he.
very generally. Now sir, there is a very large num-
ber of our citizens, to whom aqueduct water, as a
drink, is positively disagreeable. They do not desire
it. I resided for some time in Philadelphia ; I took
the hydrant water for w^ashing, &c., but never drank
it, preferring such as I obtained from a pump, one of
the very few in that city, standing near the curb
stone, and in the vicinity of my residence in So. 8th
street.
There are few pumps in that city connected with
wells. The vaults of privies are therefore allowed to
be dug of any depth, and are commonly built up in
steened work, or with bricks laid dry. The vault at
my own house, w^hich w^as not so deep as many oth-
ers, was 28 feet deep. The chief dependance for
water is upon the hydrant. It was introduced into
that city, at an early period, and has become almost
their only resource. Thus it is that your Commis-
sioners are enabled to exhibit 13,632 customers of the
aqueduct in the city proper. It is not so here, I am
greatly mistaken, if those, who are satisfied with their
wells and cisterns — those, who are already thus sup-
plied and are moved by considerations of economy —
those, who will not use the aqueduct water, as a drink,
on any terms — those, who being already customers of
the Boston Aqueduct Corporation, are contented so to
remain, at whatever rent may be the city rate — those,
who prefer the Jamaica Pond water, for its purity — I
am greatly mistaken sir, if all these do not form an
13
important body, worth the consideration of the City
Government, before it ventures to act upon the cal-
culations of the Commissioners, as infallible data.
These calculations are sufficiently magnificent. They
seem to me, sir, less adapted to the present situation
and resources of our city, than to those of Mehem-
med Ali, the grand Egyptian reformer.
^1,507,560, the first estimate, and v^^hich cannot
be presumed to be a solitary exception from that
never failing rule, that all such estimates fall short of
the cost, in the ratio of their magnificence and com-
plicated character. This vast amount is to be obtain-
ed at 5 per cent. ; and to meet the interest, 12,500
families are to take the water of the city — this pure
water — at six dollars per family, an event sir, which
the great grand children of the youngest of your three
Commissioners will never live to witness. This is
not all the good fortune in store for our favored city.
We are to save, in the single item of insurance,
j^ 1 00,000 per annum ! Had this proposed aqueduct
been in existence in the years 1824 and 1825, prop-
erty of the value of |f 1,507, 568 would have been
saved from fire! [n respect to this, the Commission-
ers appear not to be so entirely convinced : they say
" perhaps it is not an extravagant opinion, &c."
It may here be stated that the engine companies of
the city have ever had a right to open the fire plugs of
the Boston Aqueduct in case of fire, of which right
they have frequently availed themselves. The com-
missioners proceed to state, that, in ten years, the
income from the proposed aqueduct may be estimated
at 105,000 dollars per annum. If the city govern-
ment have a sincere faith in the prospects, present-
14
ed by the commissioners, they ought not to withhold
these promised blessings from their fellow-citizens.
The commissioners especially advert to the great ad-
vantages to the city resulting from an aqueduct pass-
ing over their neck lands. It may not be amiss to
state, that the present aqueduct passes directly
through a lot of land, owned by me, within the city,
Jying between Suffolk and Tremont street. There
is no field, more obviously adapted to the operations
of the present aqueduct than the whole tract from
Pleasant street to the boundary creek, and entirely
across the isthmus.
I believe, most implicitly^ in the ability of the Bos-
ton Aqueduct Corporation to suppl})^ all reasonable
calls for '■'•jmre and soft'''' water, if such a thing there
be, in all parts of the city, high and low. With the
printed report of Mr. Loammi Baldwin before me, at
this moment, I cannot entertain a doubt upon that
point. In expressing this belief, I take into calcula-
tion a fact, established by our experience for forty
years, that, of those, who are already supplied with
wells and cisterns, a large majority will not receive
the aqueduct. We shall not probably be able to per-
suade them, that those wells are poisoned, from which
they and their fathers have drunken for many gener-
ations, and to a good old age. Of the capacity of Ja-
maica Pond, Col. Baldwin's report presents a careful
calculation; and our experience has demonstrated,
that the draught of the company does not equal the
evaporation.
A very small sum comparatively, a few hundred
thousand dollars, will enable the corporation to follow
out the plan, suggested by Col. Baldwin, and carry
15
the water to any dwelling house, which may require
it. In the present condition of public feeling, you
would not deem it discreet for us to throw down our
money upon a hazard. We are precisely of that opin-
ion. We can have no security against the effects of
popular clamor. After we shall have done our ut-
most, we shall have done very little to satisfy those,
who want a job in the manufacture of ^80,000 worth
of masonry, or ;^30,000 worth of stop cocks, or
;^9,000 worth of fire plugs, or ^47,000 worth of
small pipe, or ^437,000 worth of iron pipe, or $^50,
000 worth of complicated labor and materials for
bringing the water to the city confines. However
sufficient for the occasions of your fellow citizens, the
very best of our successful labors would produce a
humble result, contrasted with the splendid visions
of your commissioners.
It has not been thought expedient to call the stock-
holders or even the directors together upon the
present occasion. They have expressed their senti-
ments very fully and frankly, in the memorial, of
which my lettter contains a copy. They have res-
pectfully tendered a proposition to the city to extend,
upon agreement to save harmless against municipal
competition — or to sell their franchise to the city,
for a reasonable consideration. This proposition I
have no doubt the corporation would renew at the
present time. I speak, however, as an individual,
and of course, without authority. The fault is not
our own, that the suggestions of Col. Baldwin were
not long since put in operation.
If I have gone into this matter, with a measure of
16
precision, or to an extent, beyond your wish or ex-
pectation, you have all that I can tender for any un-
necessary consumption of your time, the assurance of
my sincere regret.
I remain, respectfully.
Sir, your ob't servant,
L. M. SARGENT.
Eliphalet Williams, Esquibe.
(Qjmn (Dij ]ii(D^^(Dsrc
FOREIGN WATER WORKS.
x^\
'^COOT)ITAiD. ^A
^ 1C30. ^^S^
In Common Council, March 1, 1838.
The following document, submitted by Mr. Austin^
was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed for
the use of the Council.
Attest, R, G. Wait, Clerk C. C,
Extracts from the Minutes of Evidence taken and
Papers laid before the Select Committee of the
House of Commons and the Commissioners on the
Supply of Water to the Metropolis, in the years-
1821, 1828, and 1834.
Matthias K. Knight,
Secretury to the West Middlesex Water Works Co.
" Is there any such understanding existing amongst
the companies now, that in case of an accident hap-
pening to any one of the companies that the others
would supply it with water during that time? Yes;
the mains of the several works communicate with
each other, so that in case of an accident happening
to either of the companies, the other companies can
supply till the accident is repaired.
What mains do you communicate with ? With the
New River on the east and the Grand Junction on
the other side.
So that in fact, according to the present under-
standing among the companies now existing, the pub-
lic have the benefit of the whole, as if they were one
entire company ? Yes ; I conceive so.
Have any occurrences taken place in which that
has been done ? Yes ; about two years ago an acci-
dent happened to the Grand Junction engine ; the
Grand Junction applied to the West Middlesex Com-
pany for assistance ; a communication was opened
between the mains, and the West Middlesex Com-
pany during the night worked their engines for the
supply of the St. George's District, for a certain num-
ber of days, till the engine was repaired, it was no
length of time. So as to remedy the defect ? Yes.
Has any other accident occurred, to your knowl-
edge ? Yes ; there was a temporary stoppage during
the late frost, in the New River ; the ice I believe
was blown up by an easterly wind, and choaked it so
that they could not get an adequate supply for the
whole of their tenants ; and the West Middlesex
Company, assisted by the Grand Junction, worked
through their mains, and for two days I believe, sup-
plied their tenants.
Is that, in your belief, resulting from the arrange-
ment that has taken place, and from the pipes being
now so contrived as to afford a junction with one or
the other ? Yes ; I conceive that the three compa-
nies are so constituted as to comprise only one capi-
tal ; and that the public derive the benefit of three
capitals, having to pay the expense of only one."
Manchester Water Works.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Nicholas Brown address-
ed to Lord Wharncliffe, (1828.)
" In the latter end of the year 1823, I was called
upon by the direction of the Manchester and Salford
Water Works Company, to view some situations
which had been pointed out for one or more reser-
voirs, and to state my opinion, whether I thought the
situation proper for the purpose, and whether there
was a probability of procuring a sufficient supply of
water for so large a population.
Previous to this time, about the year 1807, an act
of Parliament was obtained for supplying the towns
of Manchester and Salford, with water by a company
principally residing in London, at least very few of
the inhabitants of Manchester were share holders, if
any, and the works were then carried into effect un-
the directions of the late Mr. Rennie, by pumping
water by means of steam power out of the river Med-
lock, a small stream which derives its supply from the
hills above Oldham, into a reservoir of about seven
Lancashire acres. The water from this river being
at times very much polluted, that portion of it which
was taken out by means of a guage-wier, was passed
into two small reservoirs, in which to deposit the great-
4
est parts of its impurity. It was thence pumped up to
the seven acre reservoirs, and pipes laid to convey it
to town.
The original promoters of this scheme, having been
previously engaged in manufacturing stone pipes,
they were laid as mains to the town and through the
various streets, (hence the name given to this compa-
ny, the Stone Pipe Company.) So soon as the
works were complete, the water was turned upon
the mains, and the presence of the water being too
powerful for the stone pipes they gave way in all di-
rections, and the town was literally in a state of in-
undation.
Various attempts were made to repair the breaches
partly with stone and partly with iron, but in vain,
the stone pipes were obliged to be abandoned, and
iron substituted. From the various expenses then
incurred, the then proprietors sold their interest in
the works to a number of the inhabitants of the town
and neighborhood, and for a lime, the works contin-
ued upon the original construction.
But the increase of population, and thereby the
demand for water, and their not having the power of
taking a further supply from the Medlock, without
injury to the mill property, and the increasing impu-
rities of that river, occasioned by the erection of vari-
ous dye, bleach, and other works upon its hanks, gave
rise to an application to Parliament, in 1 823, to ena-
ble the company to procure a further and more pure
supply from another source.
This act of Parliament being obtained, it fell to my
lot to carry the new works into execution. The two
reservoirs were constructed upon some small stream
at the distance of about three miles from the town,
with the necessary works to convey the water to the
town, and notwithstanding our meeting with consider-
abhi delay for the want of the cast iron pipes being fur-
nished us from the founderies, the works had so far ad-
vanced that water was drawn from the new works to
the town on the 4th May, 1826, and has continued to
flow from that time to the present, and the works are
now complete. The engine as well as the polluted
water from the river Medlock, are given up altogeth-
er, and the town is now supplied with abundance of
pure water notwithstanding the large quantities there
used in the various manufactories.
The two new reservoirs are situate one immediate-
ly above the other, the higher covering 31 acres, the
lower 231, making together 54^ statute acres, the
cubical contents I calculated to hold 37,534,235 cu-
bic feet; and taking into consideration the extent of
ground which is 1,600 acres only and from which
water is collected to supply the reservoirs, I was led
to conclude that the two would be filled twice and a
half within the year and affording a supply to the
town, of 1,600,000 gallons per day.
Since these works have been completed, it is as-
certained that my estimate was underrated, and that
notwithstanding the very dry summer in 1826, there
was two months supply in the reservoirs at the set-
ting in of the wet season, independent of a large
quantity which had been allowed to run to waste.
During the old establishment when the water was
pumped out of the river Medlock, the supply given
out was from 7 to 800,000 gallons per day ; since
the new works have been carried into effect partly
6
from increase of services and partly owing to the
quality of water being more pure, the quantity now
given out is not less than 1,200,000, a certain number
of hours each day to upwards of 9,500 families, ex-
clusive of 900 services to the different branches in
trade, such as for steam engines, common brewers,
dye-house, public stables, &c. &c.
1 now, my Lord, come to that part of the state-
ment to which I beg to call your Lordship's particu-
lar attention; that if 1,600,000 gallons per day can
be produced from so small an extent of ground as
1,600 acres of land, surely some eligible situation can
can be found upon the Brent or Colne, or rather up-
on the feeders of one oi other of those rivers upon
which a reservoir of sufficient capacity may be form-
ed, and into which a sufficient drainage can be effect-
ed, to give out that supply which may be required for
that district to which the works of the Grand Junc-
tion Company have been applied, and to an extent
much beyond their present power. I am aware that
to a certain extent the Grand Junction Canal Com-
pany have the control of the two rivers as feeders to
their canal, but I feel confident, from a reference to
the county survey, the district must afford means of
making sufficient provision without at all interfering
with their right."
Mr. Philip Taylor'' s plan for supplying the metropolis
with pure ivater from the river Thames, sent to the
board, in 1828.
" I have directed my attention to the two follow-
ing most important points for consideration : — First,
the source from whence to obtain a sufficient quanti-
ty of pure and wholesome water ; aand secondly, the
best mode of producing a regular^ equal and effective
supply on fair and liberal terms to the public.
The modes at present resorted to for bringing wa-
ter from a distance, and of raising it to reservoirs,
from which mains are supplied for its distribution,
are liable to various difficulties and objections.
The New River after passing through 40 miles,
terminates in a reservoir only 84 feet and a half above
the level of the Thames, and steam power is requir-
ed to raise a portion of it to a greater height."
"Other water companies have placed their steam-
engines on the banks of the Thames in London or its
immediate vicinity, and have forced water from the
river to reservoirs on some elevated spot at a distance.
By following such a plan much of the power ex-
erted is lost in consequence of the friction and resist-
ance occasioned by forcing an ascending column of
water through a long extent of pipe ; and the desire
of avoiding this waste of power has probably induced
such companies to draw water from parts of the river
too near the metropolis to obtain it of good quality,
and to select situations for reservoirs not sufficiently
elevated for the effectual supply of the public.
The highest reservoir supplied in this way is only
121 feet above the level of the Thames, which has
been found insufficient for the purposes required ; and
in consequence the water has been also forced into
the mains direct from the engines. This method is li-
able to all the objections arising from loss of power by
friction^ to which must be added the great evil of the
supply depending 07i the constant action of mechanical
power, as a large quantity of water may be required
8
in case of an extensive fire, at a time when such
power is not in operation.
To avoid these evils and objections, and to insure
to the public water of the best possible quality at a
moderate charge, delivered with such sure force as
would produce a regular flow at an elevation that can
be desired, I have projected the following plan; —
A part of the river Thames being selected from
which pure and unpolluted water may be obtained,
(and which I believe may be best found between
Brentwood and Richmond,) I propose cutting a sub-
terranean aqueduct from such point in a line that will
terminate under an elevated spot near the metropolis;
and no situation presents so many advantages as
Hampstead Hill or its vicinity."
" The situation and altitude being determined up-
on, engine shafts will be sunk perpendicularly, to
meet the aqueduct, and the water at once raised by
steam engines into the reservoir, from whence it will
be distributed to the varioss parts of the metropolis
with a force proportioned to the elevation."
"The means by which I propose raising water from
the aqueduct to the reservoir, for the service of the
metropolis, are the most improved means now adopt-
ed in the Cornish mines ; and it is obvious that, by
the use of such means, a like quantity of water will
be raised to a given height with the same expense of
fuel. No untried plan and no doubtful calculations
are involved in this part of my proposal, as printed
reports are published every month, giving the return
of water raised and coals consumed by every large
engine in Cornwall. I have already stated that a
considerable quantity of power is lost by the usual
mode of forcing water through a sufficient length of
ascending pipe to roach a reservoir at a distance,
which loss will be obviated bj the mode I have pro-
posed of raising it at once by a perpendicular lift."
" Mr. Taylor stated that the distance for the tun-
nel would be nine miles and a quarter, and he pro-
posed a brick aqueduct of six feet in diameter, and
with a head of one foot, there would be a flow equal
to the quantity of the New River."
" Mr. Taylor was asked what power of engines
would be required at Hamstead, and he replied, that
the expense of engines, on his plan, would not be
more than one fourth of the expense of the engines
now employed by the water companies ; for the forc-
ing of water through a great length of iron tubes, and
up inclined planes, was attended ivith so much friction,
that these engines did not more duty than to lift 18
millions of pounds one foot high with the consump-
tion of one bushel of coals ; whereas the Cornish en-
gines which were employed in pumping water from
the mines by direct and pe7pendicular lifts performed
the duty of raising as much as 74 millions of pounds
one foot high by the consumption of the same quan-
tity of coals ; and this latter plan of employing en-
gines, namely by a direct perpendicular lift, was the
one and the only one that would be adopted on his
plan."
Mr. Mills plans for supplying the Metropolis with
water from the river Thames, (1834.)
Mr. James Mills. " You have no difficulty, I sup-
pose, in getting people to contract upon your esti-
10
mate ? I have no doubt Mr. Mcintosh or any other
respectable contractor, would furnish either of these
designs upon my estimate.
Your estimate is only for a single conduit not for a
double water-way, like Mr. Telford's plan ; do you
think it safe, in supplying this large metropolis, to
trust entirely to a single conduit ? Certainly ; I can-
not consider any thing more safe ; I do not think it
probable that the conduit would require any material
, repairs for a thousand years. The conduit is made
upon those dimensions which could convey a suppl}
in a quarter of a day so that it may be empty three
quarters of a day, during which time any little re
pairs might be effected.
In your ])lan you propose to pump into a great re-
servoir on Wimbledon common ; could you not con-
vey the water from the point from whence you pro-
pose to take it by the conduit to stations nearly the
level of the Thames, from whence the present com-
panies might pump it by means of their present en-
gines ? Certainly; in two of the designs this is done.
Would that not materially lessen the expense ? I
think it would ultimately nearly double it.
What is your reason for thinking so? Because the
friction of pumping between the perpendicular lift
and that at which the companies are compelled at
present to work is nearly one hundred per cent.''''
Mr. Mills' plan for supplying water from other
sources, (1834.)
" I shall now proceed to recapitulate briefly the
plan I would recommend for supplying the whole of
the metropolis with pure water, abundant in quantity,
11
and upon the most reasonable terms. It would con-
sist of three covered conduits to convey all the neces-
sary supplies in a pure state. One on the north west
side from my reservoir on the Verulam to a ser-
vice reservoir at Primrose Hill, 150 feet above
the level of high water in the Thames. One on
the north east side from Hertford to Newington.
One on the south side from Carshalton to Clapham
common. The Primrose Hill reservoir to command
the highest service, and the other two conduits, ser-
vices below eighty feet. It is most essential now to
take a correct view of the relative permanent cost be-
tween high and low service. High service requires
no pumping and the mains to be of moderate size.
Low service requires the eternal expense of pumping
which must increase as the supply does, and the mains
to be very large.
The actual expense of pumping 3J feet per second
or 288,048 feet per day is stated in the Parliamentary
report of 1821 by the West Middlesex Company to
be £3,150 per year ; about £1000 per cubic foot for
water pumped 136 feet high.
The actual expense of pumping 3| cubic feet per
second or 310,000 feet per day is stated in the same
Report by the Grand Junction Company to be £3,500
per year, equal to £1,000 per cubic foot per second
for water pumped 115 feet high.
The expense in the same Report by the New River
engineer for pumping 18^ cubic feet per second 84
feet high, is stated to be £16,000 per year which
would amount to £1,400 per cubic foot per second
for an elevation of 120 feet."
12
12
James Simpson, Esq., to the Chelsea Company.
Can you state what expense you are at for pump-
ing for high service ? I cannot off hand.
What does it cost you ? I cannot state it off hand.
Do you consider it a very expensive part of your
outlay ? Yes ; a very expensive part.
What power have you for pumping ? One hundred
and iifty-five horses.
How many steam engines ? Three.
What power ? One of 60 ; one of 70 and one of 25.
How many of these are constantly at work ? The
whole of them."
Statement of Mr. J. G. Lynde, Secretary to the
Chelsea Water Works, (1834.)
"Mean elevation at which the water is supplied is
eighty five feet.
2,337,000 imperial gallons is the average quantity
now pumped per diem, 45 feet to 135 feet.
What expense is your company at yearly for pump-
ing ? I should say rather more than £4000, between
£4 and £5000.
Do you include in that the expense of coals, and
the expense of persons conducting the engines, and
the wear and tear of the engines and the repairs of
the engine houses ?
Yes, including every thing attached to the engines^
I should say the annual expense is about £4500.
13
Extract from Mr. W. Anderson's letter to the Com-
missioners, on the plan of taking a supply of water
from the Thames, at Teddington Lock, (1828.)
" On further examination it occurred to me that
the only plan would be to erect powerful engines at
Teddington ; and by laying a main pipe one mile and
a half in length to the ridge of the ground at the oil
mill near Wilton, which is about 50 feet above the riv-
er at Teddington Lock, it would get over part of the
difficulty as above stated ; it might then cross the
valley of the Wilton, by an aqueduct, &c. &c."
" From the rough survey I have made of the above
plan, I do not presume to give an estimate of the ex-
pense of it ; but to pump the whole quantity at Ted-
dington [50 feet] to supply the three companies ac-
cording to their present consumption [6,734,190 im-
perial gallons] would cost for coals alone and wear
and tear of engines, an annual expense of £7000 ;
and the outlay for engine house, engines and main
pipe, would amount to £76,000. These sums are ex-
clusive of the cost of land, and making the channel or
aqueduct."
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