The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-05
INLET PIPE.
How it will be placed in
position.
A DESCRIPTION ofeithe Sub
marine Process. iw

4 =
1t has finally been decided to let thu
work of laying the inlet pipe for the new
water works system to Captains Whitney
and Wall. 1t is thought that by employ
ing the sub marine process for the pipe
which is to extend across the Sylvan, and
out to the draw of the main bridge of the
river. the work viii obe eompletedsin less
time, and whene completed will be as per
feet in its construction as would have been
the case had the old system of coffet dan
been employed. With the submarine pro
cess there is no danger Of high water in
terfering with the progress of the work, as
certainly would have resulted when Golfer
dams were factor in the construction.
/ HOW TT IS DONE. 't.aa-
To gain some information as
to how the work under the new
system is to be performed, a
representative for the ARaUs yesterday in
terviewed Captain Whitney. one of the
contractors, with the following result
| The journalist, after explaining his mis-
sion; asked If the submarine work had ever
been employed for inlet pipe at any other
place on the river. - eitf.g .,sf.g3s
To this interrogatory the captain re-
piled: f.
Yes, it is the general custom along the
river to lay the inlet or supply pipe by
means of the diver, or as you term it, the
submarine process. AT Muscatine, Ia,
Burlington, Ia, and Keokuk, Ia,
and Hannibal, Missouri. the wofk
has been performed in that style, and
have yet to learn that any trouble has been
caused by the leaking of any of the joints.
In fact they appear to give general salts
faction" @ Us
THE PROCESS
"How are you going to work." continu-
ued the scribe.
well" said the captain, 1--WE have two
boats, one of which is dredge boat
and the other a ehisel boat. In addition
to these two, we have two large barges
that are employed in connection with Capt.
Wall. who is an expert diver.
First we ascertain the route that the
pipe is to take, as in this instance the
place the pipe is to occupy through the
Sylvan and from the Island out to the
taken over the route, and excavates a
trench or ditch at the bottom of the slough
and river. The chisel boat follows directly
after the dredge boat, and if any rocky for
10 4ha 1atf 70
way for the pipes. The ditch or trench is
given the proper slant, and when that is
accomplished, the pipe is taken on the two
fat boats that sre anchored on either
side of the proposed route. Four
sections are joined together with lead, as
would be the case if the work was performed
on dry land. These pieces are then low
cred by means of pulieys and derricks
down into the water. The diver goes be-
low, and by means of signals the men
above on the boats can locate the pipe di-
rectly in the trench or ditch. The diver
connects one end with the pipe already
by means of pine blocks made |
for that purpose. The pine soon swells |
and the joint becomes more solid than
those made with lead. As soon as this is |
finished, four other pipes are lowered and |
the work continues until land or the sup |
ply station is reached
I'm THE TINE. |
How long viii it take you to finish the |
present work ?"
1T depends on circumstance, rs there |
may be good deal Of rock on the route.
don't think there is in the present case.
and think it can be safely stated that the
work can be finished in about four weeks,
f not in shorter time"
THE TEST.
How will the work be tested?"
After the work is all completed the end
IF the supply pipe will be closed, the pipes
IAN then be exhausted, and if any water
eaks in, the work is imperfect, but if no
water can be found in the pipes in a reason
lble time, think it is safe to claim that
he inlet pipe is perfect.
WORK COMMENCED. +
when do you commence work."
Just as soon as the boats can be placed
n position. This will not require any
treat length of time and the work win
be commenced within very few
lays"