The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-02
TIE WORCESTER DISASTER
SOMETJr,.vG THAT WAS FOR ETOLD
ny govp, "ENT ODSERTERS.
An Insecure Dam WiIfnlly Len rnr~.
the CITY A"thoritios-Me Measures 10 Prov,~.
water supply for Next summer.

An Insecure Dam wilfully Len rur.. q, =,
the City Authorities s-NIeasurcs 10 Prov,~
Water supply for Next summer.
WORCESTER, April 1.-Thousands of yIsi-
tors were to-day at the scene OF the reservoir
disaster. The roads were lined with vehicles
overcrowded with passengers, and pedestrians
thronged the foot paths. A great number OF
loborers were repairing mills, dwellings, bridges
and railroads. Wagons bearing placards read
Ing ITO the ruins" were packed with sight
scers The matter Of moment to the people OF
Worcester is, OF course, the water supply. 1t Is
thought that there is sufficient water for few
days, and that before It is exhausted an addl-
tional supply will be obtained. Engineer Blake,
who was yesterday authorized to put In a tenn
porary dam at Parsons brook, has begun tho
work. This will divert the water into Hunts
Reservoir, increase the supply to the city at low
pressure, and can be completed tomorrow. Il
has been decided to construct temporary dam
In Lynde Brook Reservoir, short distance above
tho break, so as to retain any rain which may
fall, and provide a storage Of water for summer
uso. Nearly one hundred men arc laying dis
trhnting pipes between Leicester street and
Lyndo Brook Reservoir dain. About 10000 gal
Ions day can he turned from Parsons brook
INTO the reservoir The water committee met
last evening and instructed Mayor Jillson and
City Engineer Blake to sclet seven commission
cause of the disaster. Among tho commissiun-
ers selected are j. Is. Francis Of Lowell and John
the construction Of dams. Under the direction
u the Governor ho inspected the dams OF
Massachusetts shortly after the MIN River disas-
ter, and reported the Lynde Brook Reservoir as
needing close watching. He WAS intensely In
earnest In urging prompt action, but
cry. and his warning was unheeded. City kn-
gineer Blake foretoid the coming disaster, and
was laughed at for his pains. The damage done
II n
tl.SD,OO. The loss to individuals and corpora
lions making liberal .s'imstSs .s,o snd ssceptIng
cover the destruction of the dam and washing
lows: eeorSe ". Ulnoy, ;ssooo; James "a 4 Smith
Co.. s,S,e9 A; e. smith; s2@ Ashworth \
S9O,eO; Curtis & Marble. SSGO; Albert Curtis,
ShOD; Norwich and Worcester Railroad, S2,Ji0;
Wicks Manufacturing Company $500; Benz.
on April "a Engineer Blake reported that 2ai
gallons escaped in twcnty-four hours. while in
July the amount escaping had Increased to
9,SlQ gallons per day. An examination seemed
to show that the water came from a spring,
ana not from the reservoir, and this
view was held by all connected with the
water department until. on Tuesday NOR
The dam at j. a. Smith & Co.'S mill built
lS years ago The lodges upon which its
foundation rested are washed clean and white.
This was the oldest dam In Leicester. The
break In the Boston and Albany road has caused
thange OF arrangement OF the express trains
until repairs are completed. Only four express
trains each way will be run. going 10y way Of
Winchendon over the Boston, Barre and Gard
ner. and Ware River railroads. The first train
east over that route reached here at about
Y. NJ, Yesterday, and the second one at s:45 L. NJ.
the latter being the combined Western and
New York trains, due here AT 3.25 and 4:3O L. NJ.
The train due here A.36 =. NJ reached here about
midnight The officers OF ths Boston and
Albany think the damage to their road can be
repaired 10y Monday Mayor Jllson. In CONVEX
saion with suN reporter, said that he always
believed the dam safe, and that 1t con-
structed by one Of the best engineers In the
country, Mr. Ball. Ho presumes the loosers by
the disaster will the city, and adds that II il
terrible blow. The hood has expended its
force, and now nothing Is left but to repair the
damage done.
A special TO tho Gdsetts from Spencer says
there have been rumors Of a leak In the Stiles
reservoir. the largest In area In the country. and
connecting through seres Of streams and
ponds, with French's river. The rumors are not
credited in the town. and there Is no apprehen-
sion felt. The dam leaked some soon after IL
WAS built, but repairs have since been made and
have stopped the leak The reservoir is full.