The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-13
An Epsineerins Feat.

ONE THOUSAND FEET OF LARGE IRON WATER
MAIN LOWERED TwENTY-sIX INCHES SINFUL
TANEoUsLY.
The San Francisco Post says: An engi-
neering feat never before attempted in this
country was successfully accomplished yes
terday morning, while the majority OF peo-
pie were at church, on Mission street be-
tween Twenty-seyenth and Twenty-ninth
streets. The recent change Of grade on
that street between the points named by
the Board OF Supervisors necessitated the
lowering of the water-pipe some twenty
six inches. The pipe itself is one
Of the largest of the Spring Valley
MISUNDERSTANDING inches in diameter
and supplies the entire southern and south
western part Of the city. 1t is made Of
wrought iron, and weighs nearly GO pounds
to the foot, making the weight OF the whole
in the vicinity 10000 pounds. On Satur-
day afternoon force Of about one hundred
men were set to work to uncover the pipe
line and dig trench under it to the re-
-quired depth. AS the work progressed
heavy ioists were placed across the trench
at distances Of forty feet and the pipe sus-
pended by means CT heavy screws resting
on the ioists. At an early hour yesterday
morning work was renewed, and about 10
O'Clock, everything being in readiness, an
order was transmitted by telegraph 10
San Andreas, whence the supply is
drawn, TO shut otf water. Simulta-
neously with this order others of a similar
nature were issued to men stationed at the
connection Of the pipe with that Of the
Market-Street line, SO rs to keep the water
from backing into the lower end Of the
Dipe. In twenty minutes the water-gauge
Showed a reduction in the pressure from
over seventy pounds to seven, and ten mi
nutes later the gauge showed that all the
pressure was gone and the pipe free OF
water. In order, however, to keep up the
pressure on distributing pipes, and supply
about hall the city with water-as other
wise il would suffer water famine while
the work was in progress-water was
turned in from the Lake Honda reservoir
through the large main that runs down
Haight street to Market, and the pressure
on this line increased. Owing to some
little delay, occasioned by the Water-gates
not being completely shut, and the slow
ness OF the workmen at either end Of the
pipe in christening the rivets, it was nearly
1880 o'clock before the pipe was ready to
lower. In the mean time a new complica-
ton arose, which threatened serious con-
sequences. The SUMS warm rays falling
on rigid exposed pipe 1000 feet long
threatened its expansion several inches,
which, had it happened, would proba-
bly, have necessitated the severance Of
the pipe. However, the preliminary work
was rushed through, and twenty-five OF the
most intelligent Workmen were selected to
work the screws and lower the main. The
circuit of the lever was marked off in quar-
ters-one, two, three, four-and at each
signal from trumpeter stationed at the
lower end, and directed by the engineer of
the company Herman Schussles), the work.
men simultaneously made quarter Of the
circle, and then called out the number.
This operation was one requiring the
utmost caution, as the difference OF turn
or two Of the screws between any Of the
workmen would SO unequally distribute the
strain as to break the pipe. In fifty min
llfes-but not until the bugler had blown
himself sick, and had to be placed on the
retired-li st-the main rested in its bed, the
ends were riyeted, the water turned into
the pipe, and the feat accomplished. Sun
day was selected by Mr. Schussler for the
work, as on that day there is less water
used than on weekdays. The average daily
consumption OF water in this city is IA
G00, 900 gallons, but on Sundays ii seldom
exceeds 100000 gallons.