The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-15

Chief Shea states that in June last Chief EngineeS
Bates laid before the Commissioners lengthy commu
nicaton relative 10 seeking better supply Of water.
REPoRTEB-What your main objectionsi
Chief SHEA-We contended, and do yet, that thu
mains not Of sufficient slze aud OF The small
number OF hydrants Tho style and size Of buildings
constantly undergoing changes and have been,
very great extent, for the past ten years The i'm
provement in the supply OF water has however, fallen
far behind the times AT present the pressure on n.y.
drants ranges from to twenty pounds, most Of the
hydrants being attached mains Of six inches in d.
ameIer. which entirely too small supply large en-
gines
RKroRTER-Where are located tho Objectionable
points of the city,
Chief sHEA-There many might allude to. Take
New Church street, from Morris TO Liberty; West
Broadway from Chambers Canal and the section OF
the city bounded by Canal, South Fiith avenue
Houston and Crosby the supply in the latter vicinity
has not been increased since the change from small
buildings can assure you there is not sufficient
supply Of water for even the old fashioned buildings Tho
fact is the whole portion OF tho city south OF Fourteenth
street should receive Immediate attention. Mercer
street has only six inch pipe which Is second to none
when we consider the large sized buildings.
On Broadway there is thrty-six inch main pipe
used 10 supply the lower portion Of the city and is con-
nected at Houston Grand Canal and Pearl streets with
side mains Now the department has no hydrants con-
nected with this main; We should be allowed at
to tap this main on every block by hydrants to DO
used only in case of large fires There is another
tensive main ON Mott street Cortyeigh nches) which
should also have the right to tap
REPoRTER-What is your opinion Of corner cisternsP
Chief SHEA am satisfied that they would be a
good thing The large mains l speak OF conId be
tapped at street corners and cserns built With an
opening into the main BY this means two three
engines could be concentrated each and all
procure good supply OF water 1t would certainly DO
great help at large fires Then cold weather. anet
shutting down the engines the water could be drawn
Of the ciserns only TO be opened and filled again in
case ofnre.
REroRrSR-How is the supply of water on Nassau
strectS
Chief SHEA-Nassau street and Park row are in a
very exposed condition, especially the atrr street.
The broad opening the Post Office admits, OF
a heavy wind prevailing, for a FIRE to make clean
sweep. Broad street is another important point foI
consideration
OPINION OF THE FIRE COMMISSIONERS
These gentlemen seem TO have but little actual
knowledge as to the real condition Of the supply
with the exception OF President Perey Mr. Hatch
states that he knows there is not sufficient force OF
water in the lower portion of the city, but has prac
teal experience the fact only far he has gained
from the Chief Engineer. Commissioner King states
that, having been for many years out Of the depart
ment, he was not so well posted in former years;
but from such Information he had cleaned since he
has been Commissioner he is satisfied that unless
prompt steps are taken to place throughout the
city arge-sized mains, the Fire Department,
with ten times its number, could not be
held responsible for an extensive oonnagration.
President Perey says that II has long been constant
subject Of study with him. HI has ofttmes wondered
that New York has not with heavier losses owing
TO the OF The dry goods district has been
one OF marked attention by the department. and no
caused Chief Engineer Bates to make more thorough
inspection OF all the localities in the city where large
buildings are erected and niammable material
tired Some steps be taken he SAID, TO give tho
department the entire control OF the water supply in
portion Of tho city fires. Unless this Is
done there Is no knowing what may follow.