New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-27
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION or THE
BROOKLYN VA TER WORKS.

To-day marks On important era IN the history OF
Brooklyn. The subject Of supplying the city with
water had for many successive years engaged the
attention of it, citizens and after discussing numer
ems projects presented from time Ia time, IN all their
BEARINGS at public meetings, at private gatherings,
and in the Common Council, definite plans were
eventually adopted, the works commenced and prac-
hcally completed and now an abundance oi ciean'
pure fresh, hmpid water adapted for all necessary
purposes is flowing into the houses OF the inhabitants
There IL great rejoicing in consequence and the event
will be celebrated this day by the ringing OF bells,
The frng of cannon music, PROFESSIONS oratohs ana
fireworks The military, fremen. trades and aaso-
x,ations will all turn out, and thousands OF invited
guests viii be presert from distance. II promises
20 be an occasion long TO BE- remembered
A, early a. the year 1884, the citizens of Brooklyn
became 30 fully awake 10 the importance OF liberal
supply of good water as to have public meetings on
sAe subject and action in regard thereto was taken IN
she Board Of Trustees, but without definite results
Brooklyn was then small village embracing an area
Of one mile square, and divided into ire DISTRICTS
TIE boundaries consisted Of the East River Pacific
street then called District street., Red Hook lane and
along diagonal line TO the corner Of Flushing avenue
and Navy street. There eight fire engines, one
hook and ladder company and but few public clsterns
In fact great difficulty existed in those days in procur
nag water for the extinguishment Of fires which had
become alarmngly frequent and impelied the villagers
10 inquire into the of supply. With this view,
Committee was appointed by the Board Of Trustees,
consisting Of Gabriel Fueman, James Walters and
Jonathan Trotter who submitted the following report
Of their investigations on the oath OF March, 1851;
"The Committee 10 whom was referred the subject
Of supplying this village with water report that they
are satisfied il is practicable 10 secure full supply OF
pure and Wholesome water fer domestic use and for
The exnguishment Of fires, at an expense much less
than il will cost 10 obtain the same by means OF wells
land under an ordinary state Of circumstances, with
settled state Of the currency question: they would feel
no hesitation in urging upon You the adoption of nme-
diate to obtain such supply.
Your Committee have ascertalned that water IN
sufficient quantity, and Of excellent quality, may be
obtained the foot of the elevated ground which
Fort Greene is situated, and by means Of q steam
engine the could be raised TO a reservoir which
might be constructed on that Fort and from thence
through pipes might be carried is any part OF this vii
iage and by means of hydrans placed IN the streets
could be used for the extinguishmeut Of fires.
"The most material consideration, after asceraning
Ma prsctcabiy is to inquire into the probable expen
dnre necessary to carry into effect. On this part of
the subject your Committee have procured the follow
ing estimates which, they believe, will all be found
greater in amount than the actual expenditure if the
should be ATTEMPTED: