Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-08-01
i. BROWN.
New YoaK, NAV a6. is45

Having been detained several DAYS in the
city of New York, waiting for the sailing of
the Vicksburg, for New Orleans, in which we
have taken passage, will give you a brief
account OF the Croton water works, which are
justly The pride Of the city. The whole ex-
pense oil this magnificent work from the Croton
river dam TO the distributing reservoir inclu-
sive, is said to be nine million dollars. The
distance over which the water is conveyed from
the dam TO the distributing reservoir, which is
three miles from the City Hall, is a little over
forty miles and hall. The first, or receiving
reservoir, is a little over FIVE miles from The
City Hall, and contains an area of ihrty-five
acres, divided into two divisions. From this
reservoir the water is conveyed by a double
line OF iron pipes three feet in diameter 10 the
distributing reservoir This reservoir contains
an area of more than four acres, divided into
twoequa divisions. II is constructed in the most
durable manner of solid mason work. of stone
and cement, and its walls are on an average Of
an elevation Of forty-iour feet and half. From
this reservoir the water is conveyed by large
iron pipes into the principal streets of the city,
and from these smaller pipes convey il to eve
~ street and dwelling where il is wanted. The
receiving reservoir is capable of containing one
hundred and fifty million Of gallons, and the dis
trlbutng reservoir twenty million. The flow
of the CrotOn river at its lowest stages is twen-
ty-seven million gallons in twenty four hours;
and by means of reservoirs created by addition
al dams, II may be made 10 afford supply of
thirty-hve million gallons in twenty-four hours,
which will be ample for all the wants OF the
city for long time to come. This water is of
an excellent quality, fit for all purposes, and
sufficient, not only for the ordinary uses Of the
citizens, bat also for cleaning the streets, and
for furnishing supply for fountains and lets,
al which there are many, very beautiful and
in ha .,nkl =.
private enclosures. This abundant supply OF
pure water IN all parts of this great and rapidly
increasing city, contributes not only to the COM
Tort and cleanliness, but greatly 10 the health
OF the inhabitants. The poorest beggar in the
street may go TO a hydrant and slake his thirst
and wash and be clean. And if every man
woman and child in New York, or in any 9th
er city or town, were daily washed from the
crown of the head to the sole of the foot, Zoe.
tors bills would be fewer and smaller than at
present And then again, many think that
cleanliness of the outward man is highly favor
able to inward purity. The public grounds
where these fountains are constantly playing
sending up their graceful streams, are very
much resorted TO by all classes OF people for rec.
reation and pleasure. Such breathing places
in the midst OF dense population, must be
highly conducive 10 health Of body and
elasticity of mind This abundant supply Of
water is of the first Importance in case Of fires
In so large city fires Of course must often
break out, and before New York was blessed
with the Croton aqueduct millions Of dollars
worth Of property were destroyed, which, with
the present facilities of extingushing fires
might have been saved. Now and then pipe
which conveys The water along the streets o.
the city, bursts, and pouring forth its flood
creates for time great commotion. In ono in.
stance OF this KIND, cellar, kept as a grocery
was the nearest outlet, and the individuals who
were in il had scarcely time 10 escape before
the cellar was filled with water. II is imposs