Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-05-07
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AQUEDUCTs..

far back in antiquity. Wo hnd owl
dcnces of thcir existence among near
ly all nations. In tho reign Of King
Solomon capacious reservoirs were
constructed from which water was
carried six miles by an aquednct TO-
Jerusalem and II is said that such ID
their present state Of preservation,
that this city still receives large sup
lply OF water from this source. In
Mexico, during tho reign Of fMontezumc
an aqueduct, many miles in length,
furnished water TO the capital, and its
ruins testify TO its ancient magnitude
and grandeur.
The most remarkable aqucducts on
record, either in respect to their length,
the difficulties attending their construc-
tion, or tho vast expense they in
volved, are those of The lncas OF Peru.
These sagacious ralers were compelled
to adopt this course Tor the purpose
of fcrlalzing their barren ard sandy
territory, which was unproductivo
without artificial irrigation. These
aqueducts wore several hundred miles
in length, aud some portions necessa-
rily built upon the slopes of the Andes.
These portions often required tunnels
which penetrated the solid rocks, and
again were carried over wide chasms,
compelling the erection of walls of
solid masonry, which had to be con-
structed without the assistance ofthoso
labor saving appliances that modern
mechanical genius has invented. Even
tho use Of steel or iron tools was then
unknown. These aqueducts were of
massive blocks of hewn stones, nicely
adjusted TO each other without any &C.
mcnt, with the makeing OF which tho
Peravians were entirely unacquainted.
The most celebrated Of these acque-
ducts extended distance Of between
four and five hundred miles, and bear
the most remarkable evidence Of tho
energy and perseverance of this peo-
pie. We find authentic records OF
similar structures. though Of far more
limited proportions, in Egypt and in
Babylonia, but our information respect
ing them is too meagre and unsatis-
factory to justify more than . passing
notice.
But no nation OF ancient or of mod
ern times, even with all the advantage
advanced science and mechanical inven-
tions have conferred have exceled the
Romans in the wonderful skill and in
genuity which their aqueducts show.
Historical evidence establishes the fact
that not less than twenty four Of these
structures, varying in length from ten
to sixty-tivo miles, conducted water
into the city Of Rome. Though their
knowledge of civil engineering, COM
pared with modern attainments, was
very ,circumscribed, they yet readily
oyercame all the difficulties which
natural impediments presented. Be,
ing unacquainted with the manufao-
ture and use of tho strong metalio
pipes now employed by means of which
ravinos and rivers arc crossed, by de-
scending on one side and ascending on
the other, they were compelled to
construct their conduits upon grades
of easy and regular decents, otherwise
the pressure OF heavy columns of wa.
ter would seriously cndanger if not
destroy them. On account Of the cir.
cuitous routs which, for this reason,
they were frequently forced TO follow,
their aQueducts were Of much greater
length than modern science would
have indicated One of these, styled
the New Anio, extended more than
sixty three miles, and in consequence,
of the depressed state of the territory
over which it passed, six and half
miles were supported on an uninter-
rupted series of arches, many of which
were one hundred feet IN height
Another, the Aqua Martha, was thirty
eight miles in length, in the construc-
tUn Of which seven thousand arches
we're required. Hard burnt brick on
polished and deieu,cly adjusted stona
work, imbedded in cement, were used
in the construction of these water
courses. The quantity of water sup
piled to the citizens Of Rome by these
stupendous works Is without paral-
lei in modern times. One ancient
writer, 10 his enthusiasm, declared
that whole rivers flowed through the
streets of Rome. To an estimated
population of 100000 citizens, not
less than SO, 700, 900 cubic feet of water
were daily supplied, or more than 300
gallons to each individual. The Roman.
people built other similar structures.
in various portions Of their possessions.
One, at Metz, in Belgic Gaul, is re-
ported to have excelled in magnitude
and grandeur even those which sup
piled the capital. In modern Europe
, we find many works OF this descrip-
ton worthy of note, particularly in
Turkey and Spain, but the most de-
serving Of mention is that constructed
by Louis the XIV, at Versailles.-
The bridge bv which it is supported
is pronounced by engineers one OF tho
most splendid triumphs of modern art.
/ 1t is about forty-four hundred feet In
longth, more than two hundred in
height, and rests upon three tiers of
arches, one upon another, each tier
comprising two hundred and forty
two arches, with space of fifty feet.
, This aqueduct is sixty miles 10 length,
+ passes through forty Eve tunnels, and
has the capacity to discharge $4,000
gallons OF water per minute.
Among the more modern aqueducts
which can now be found in almost
every city Of any magnitude, those OF
New York, Philadelphia, and Boston
are noted. The city of Boston il sup