The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-15
VIEWPOINTS SEWERAGE
DevIsins Plans TO Make that Noted summer
Resort HeaithnI.


NEWPORT, r. l., Nov. 12.--Four important
papers relating 10 the sewerage of this city were
read ut tho special meeting of the city Council
last night No system Of sewerage has yet been
adopted in this city. and people who fear to
bring their families where there il such an utter
neglect Of the first principles for insuring
healthtul city. have refused to build cottages
for their summer occupation. In this
way vast sums have been lost to the
city. When. last year at the end Of Bellevue
avenue. diphtherin broke out and swept away.
among others. one whole family Of seven chill
dren. the authorities began to look around n
little. and have since been travelling
in tho right direction. The cartng through
the streets OF the contents OF vaults. too.
has also attracted much attention Of late. and
this will doubtless be reInediod in II short time.
SO that when another season has begun the
summer residents will be surprised to lind the
sewers being rapidly pushed forward.
The reports to the City Council were four in
number. One was signed by Gen. George W.
Cullum. U. S. A.. Prof Fairman Rogers of Phil
adelphia. and Prot Wolcott Gibbs. Alexander
Agassiz. Josiah p. Cooke. Jr., and William b.
Rogers. OF Harvard College. All are summer
residents. 1t is a most exhaustive report. treat
ing Thoroughly of tho requirements Of the city
in regard to the question at issue. The recon-
mcndations are briefly as follows:
First-No system should be adopted which
would discharge the sewage into the hartor in
side OF line drawn from Fort Adams to the
north end OF Goat Island. and thence to the
south point OF Coasters harbor. for the reason
that within this line there are no currents
sufficient to carry tho deposited matter out
OF the harbOr. Ut should here be stated that
the torpedo station lies between tho above
namcd points. thus obstrucfing the current OF
NarragAnsett Bay.l
any cove or bay, and nothing should be done
which could in any way injure the bathing
Third-No now sewers should be constructed
until "A general system is determined upon. to
which all subsequent work should conform.
nsluds HAiR the '& Morris '0BB% rsnasC Sa Ds
OF Thomas street. near Brenton street and
runs northcrly ne far as Southmayd street and
Sheffield, avenue. thence taking a southery
round Bellevue avenue.
The question which. has been the most I'M
thc sewage y" The most Of il now finds its way
out from Long Wharf 10 the inner harhor. and
as DR.. Storer. in his communication. states is
pumped up again and distributed about tho
streets by the watering carts. frequently
causing most unhealthy and disagreeabe
odor The report suggests two points Of dis
charge; First, Just above the north end Of Goat
Island Pier. the sewage e. los carried in iron
pipes ON the bottom OF the harbor. from point
at or near the west end ~ Bridge street 10 u
point outside the end Of the pier in deep
water: second. to take the sewer from the main
pipes down Long Wharf, up Washington street,
thence by the shore 10 the causeway, across that
To Coasters Harbor. across the island TO the
west side. terminating IN the ieep wat9r OF the
bay. The report faNOrs the former. but does
not positively determine the question until
more Information can be obtained with
regard 10 the ability Of the currents in the
harbor 20 remove The deposit The United
States Survey ONCE at Washington was APP
pelled 10 for particulars on THIS point A reply
was received to the effect that il has no obserya-
tons Of tidal currents save those made years
ago. but promises that IL the plans can BE- de-
ferred until noXt spring an exhaustive series OF
observations shall be made. extending from a
point above Goat Island around the shores to
DR.. H. Il. storer OF New York who re-.
Gently purchased summer res dencc here.
sent very valuable suggestions and recommen-
biity OF tho creek at Coasters Harbor
being safe outlet for the sewage.
and recommends that II be carried, down
t. the south part Of the Island.
near Castle Hin. wher9on are situated many
thatdbe currenis from tie oast north and west
would effrctually carry the sewage away.
Cpl George d. warinG. the wrll;,known
plan. although he thinks that 1t would
b" practicablr to carry the sewage by syphons
two objections 10 the latter plan however; first it's
costliness and second. that sewage matter de-
llvered To the west side Of Goat Island would
probably be Carried into the harbor aud would
be- deposited on tho shore. especially
south and east OF Coasters Hurbor Island. and
east Of Fort Adams Col WarinG il ot tho
opnion that al the sewerage necessary ior sew
eral years could be completed tor slOO,OOO. His
assistant Mr. T.. {. Metcal is IT the opinion
that the cost would be from ti35 900 10 $3.50 900.
Mr.. u. s. Philbrick. an eminent civil engineer
OF Boston. and summer resident sent ducu-
ment containing very excellent advice. but with
out any positive recommendations.
From these documents the City Council have
10 form a plan for the general sewerage.
1t was apparent that they inclined toward
the recommendations contained in the first
mentioned report. and II ~ expected that they
will take action upon II. No more eminent men
could be found than these gentlemen. who
gave nearly two months OF their time Tor he
benefit OF this city.