The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-14
IBLOCKADING TIE RIVERS.
The Ice Record Of Yester.
day---Floe On!
HUDSON FUR FISHERY
Polar Guests on Their Way
to Albany.

TO Albany.
Among the many evils and Inconvenience con-
sequent upon the winter season few are more
severely felt or more in tmateiy brought home to
every inhabitant OF a great city like New York
than those arising from stoppage in the daily
supply OF water through the freezing up OF the
pipes. Yet every winter this trouble has to be
endured at q loss OF not only patience but
also at considerable cost in actual
dollars and cents. owing to the extreme severity
OF the present season this Inconvenience has been
felt In tar greater degree, and over much more
extended area than ever before. Ii the stoppage
OF the supply OF water alone was the only trouble
there would not be much to complain Of for the
quantity OF water requisite for temporary use
might be obtained rom an obuging and sympathiz-
ing neighbor. But there other after troubles
that force themselves on the notice OF the house
holder, which cannot be borne with the same
amount OF patience. These are brought about by a
deluge Of water. which suddenly and without warn.
1ng hoods their apartments, spelling carpets cell
1ngs and furniture. 1t Is then discovered for the
first time that the water pipes have oursted little
care and an examination made previously would
have prevented all the mischief, but no " the only
remedy is to seek plumber whose bills by the
way. are no inconsiderable item in the household
er's expenses, Notwithstanding the fact that to
him and his carelessness originally is all the
trouble to be attributed.
THE ANNOYANCE AND EXPENSE
consequent on the bursting OF pipes il not alone
suffered by the jewellers In the meanest tenement
house, but is felt in the dwellings OF wealthy peo
pie. All are alike mace to feel its depressing In
Auence while the expense is equally an Item to
the one as to the other. The present system OF
placing water pipes IN houses appears to be de-
fectve, while the material employed in their con-
struction seems Also in the majority OF instances,
quite unsuited 70 the necessities OF the case.
THE BEST MATERIAL.
Prom inquiries carefully made it appears that
lead pipe Is the most generally used for water
pipes From actual experiments it has been de-
termined that these pipes Will open or crack under
pressure OF 1,4o0 to l, 600 pounds to the square
inch. Cast iron, however, reslsts up to Is, 900
pounds and wrought iron Is, 900 to 10000 pounds.
1t can, therefore be readily determined which are
the best pipes for IL appears. also, that the
bursting OF the pipes is not caused, as is the
popular theory, when the water, which has be-
come frozen, begins 10 thaw but at the point at
which the water has fallen to a temperature or
twenty-eight degrees. Then the ice, which has
been previously formed, expands with force suf-
ncient to cause crack. THIS is not noticed at the
time, and the scarcity Of water Is considered to be
the only evil to be obVated, and, as 1t Is
generally some time before the leak can be
stopped. the natural consequence Is ruin to furn-
ture and fittings in addition rendering the apart.
ments below the floor where the accident happens
untenantable ior the next few days. Another
feature attending this peculiar trial to the nerves
and patience OF the sufferers is that the outpour-
Ing OF the water almost invariably happens In the
night time, thus allowing full play It's insinua
ting and penetrating powers for several hours
before 1T Is discovered.
ALL THIS TROUBLE
might be avoided II occupants OF houses would
but exercise an occasional supervision Of these
vital parts oil the fixtures IN their dwellings, for IL
Is useless to expect anything like conscientious
work the papS OF the plumbers, as their only
aim 1 to secure to themselves a job. In
very many instances, when a house is build
ing, the conducting pipes leading from the mains
to the houses are laid under ground, only few
inches beneath the surface, and are thus exposed
20 the full action OF the lrost, while IN carrying the
pipes up through the house they are placed close
10 the outer walls and are thus still exposed to
the action OF the weather when a sudden falling
OF the temperature occurs. This is more espe-
pecally the case in corner houses, which, by
reason Of their situation are more exposed to the
weather.
II has long been q question with many Peep Q
currence OF this hitherto yearly break In domes-
tic comfort The general opinion, however, APP
peas 20 De mat sae pipes shn 20 oe ,rom
freezing In them by encasiDg them IN covering
OF lelt or some other substance OF n0n-conduc-
tive nature In Northern Prussia, for Instance, wDere
the temperature during the winter Is very low,
the people build BOXES around their water pipes
and pack these in wItn horse manure, and 1t is
seldom that one hears OF such thing as q bursted
pipe. The English people also, on the approach or
the winter season take measures TO prevent any
l0n-p9
referred 10 ny encasing all the pipes IN wrappings
OF hay. straw or canvas. In ST. petersburg, IN
Russia. on the establishment or the present sys-
lem OF waterworks, great damage was tlci pa ed
by the people from the action Of tde frost on the
p pipe Oo'n IN tue streets and IN the houses out
AN DfPERIAL uKAsE
issued at the time, eve tenant or occupant OF a
house was required 70 cover every hydraut or pipe
with thick easing OF eit. Instructions were
issued at tue same time how tins work was to be
done, and officers were duly appointed whose
duties consisted only In making dOIniclliary VISIT
to see that the requirements OF the decree were
compiled with to the fullest extent. The result
has been that accidents IRON the bursting OF
frozen pipes In tnat city are very lew.
In New YORK, however, II Is not 10 be expected
that the people be compelled to take any pre-
cautions in matter such as this, which conce rns
their own convenience and pocket alone. Sucn a
law could be enforced under an autocrAtic govern
ment but not under Republic SUCH as tnis.
which could be made Of PRACTICAL benefit, however
might be drawn up under The direction OF tn
Department OF Buildings, aud circulated througl
that could be adopted by the residenLs not only II
preventing the nuisance but also AZ 10 the Des
way TO proceed TO tlaw out the pipes when ono
frozen. AS IL Is at present the only way seems
be- In the first place. 10 ABANDON everything
chance, and when the pipes freeze 70 CAL IN
plumber This individual La always PROVIDED Win
small portable apparatus by the aid OF which nc cal
force Jet OF steam into pipe, aud In the cours
oil short time remedy tue difculty Of cours
this Is expensive, but II Is the plumbers harvest
The practice OF letting the water run from the tap
although u sometimes prevents ireezinR is no
al "A
full method OF avoiding the trouble. La soIne Cases
too. by the accidental stopping OF a drain through
which the water thus left 20 run Is expected 70 b
carried OF, the attempted cure becomes wors
than the disease.
A CHEMISTS OPINION.
The mere act OF turning Oh astop-cock often PIE