Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-11-02

II hen we II clear the way, &C. .. w.
H
H The WATER CELEBRATION IN BosToN, on
"Wednesday, Oct. 25th, united all classes Of
citizens, including an immense number OF
strangers, and was perhaps unequalled in mag
nfcence by any similar display in New Eng
land. The Boston Times in long account OF
the celebration, advers to the inception and
progress Of this great enterprise as follows -
/ The want OF proper supply OF pure and
soft water, had for a long series of years been
serious felt An effort was made as early as
1875, when the town of Boston contained on
" 20 900 inhabitants, to supply this great de-
sideratun. The Boston Aqueduct Company
then commenced their operations TO introduce
water from Jamaica Pond, and achieved their
object in reasonable time thereafter. This
source supplied $4,000 gallons per day, bst
the greatest rise to which the water could at
tain was only 40 feet. This quantity, as the
population continued to increase, proved made
quate, and many complaints were agitated
both against the quantity and quality furnished,
and its limitation TO certain portions of the city
only. Accordingly some efficient measure Of
relief was insisted on, and in the spring Of the
year 1884, the City Council passed vote for
the appointment of committee to cause sur
vey to be made for the purpose Of ascertaining
whether plentiful supply Of pure water could
be obtained, and also what the probable cost
would be. Loammi Baldwin, Esq. an accom-
plished engineer, was appointed for this duty,
and made an able report. He was IN favor of
bringing in water from Farm and Shakum
ponds in Framingham, with others connected
with them, and also from Long Pond in Natick.
These Ponds cover an area of Ss5 acres.
| The distance TO a reservoir in Roxbury was
% miles, while the expense was estimated at
$3.50 900, and the daily quantity to be suppli-
ed was fixed at S millions Of gallons. This
plan pleased many, but did not command the
uranimity required. The subject then slept
for about IL years. Public opinion was again
aroused. and all classes of citizens determined
to have something effectual done. The source
was much discussed. Spot pond, Charles
river, and Long pond had earnest advocates,
and at length the subject entered into the gov
ernment of the city. In 1915, the friends of
Long pond gained their object, and all felt
confident that from this source great abund-
ance of pure soft water could be obtained. An
act Of the Legislature was obtained at the ses-
sion Of 1855, and the city government en-
tered at once upon the task of introducing the
water. An organization was formed, an en-
ergetic Board Of Water Commissioners was
appointed, and after the required examinations
and estimates had been made, the ceremony
Of breaking ground was performed in the pres
ence of a large assemblage and accompanied
with an imposing celebration on the Goth day
of August, 1916. On this occasion, the city
authorities and large number Of invited
guests were present.
4 In about two years and two months from
this period, the great work of bringing the wa
ter from Lake Cochituate TO this city has been
completed. The expense was originally cal
culated at 81 100000. Drafts for the work
have thus far exceeded three millions of dol
lars, and further expense will doubtless be in
cured. Besides the aqueduct itself, the
great feature of this enterprise are the Bea-
con Hill Reservoir'in Boston the Reservoir
on Dorchester Heights, South Boston The
great Reservoir and Gate House on Corey
Hill in Brookline, from which the water Of the
Lake is brought TO the street mains and reser-
| voir in Boston in two iron pipes, thirty -four
inches in diameter, and extending nearly -four
miles, and which are capable Of delivering
daily three millions Of gallons Of water the
Charles River Bridge at Newton Lower Falls
which is built on three arches the Pipe Cham
Der in the vicinity, and the Road Bridge,
which is built on a single arch, and said by all
to be most splendid piece of masonry the
Waste Wier, four miles beyond the Lower
Falls, where the aqueduct passes over con-
siderable stream ; and finally the Gate House,
a granite edihce al the Lake itself The
Reservoir on the Beacon Hill covers an area Of
40 900 feet and will hold three millions of gal
Inns Of water. The level will be and half feet
above the level of the floor or the State House.
This reservoir, which will throw Jet of wa
ter to great height, is intended for a reserve
fountain, IN case Of any accident to the great
pipes. The reservoir on Dorchester Heights
contains an area Of 20 900 feet and is capable
Of delivering seven millions Of gallons per day.
I This is also intended for reserved fountain
and the two reservoirs together will dispense
seven millions Of gallons of water day. This
quantity, it has well been said, will supply
more than 10 gallons a day for five DAYS to
every man, woman and child in the city. The
fall Of the water from the Reservoir in Brook
line is two feet TO the mile and the level Of the
reservoir Is consequently eight feet higher than
that Of the great reservoir in Boston. This
reservoir covers thirty acres, and the water
will be in some places 20 feet deep and will
average Is feet deep, thereby constituting
perfect safeguard for the city il any accident
happens to the conduit above. And again the
great reserve fund Of all-Lake Cochituate-
covers a surface Of 65y acres, and drains
surface Of II 400 acres being in some places
from 10 to 80 feet in depth.
BEIT REMEMBERED, that Henry A..
Wise opposes Taylor and supports Cass be-
cause he says that Taylor uH not rdo the
WiLu'of Proriso, and is opposed 10 The ertension
Of S'arTy.
BE TT REMEMBER ED, that the Charles
ton IS. C.) Courier says Gen. TAYLOR cannot
be supported by South Carolina "because he is
opposed 10 he extension Of Sarry in The
Isrritorics.