The daily gazette., 1881-01-08
The water Departments
ANNUAL REPORT OF CHIEF ENofNRRR
McINTIRk-soME INTERESTING Eta
TInTICs.

-. assa.a q
ANNUAL RRPoRT OF CHIEF ENGINEER
McINTIRE-soME INTERESTING sTA-
TIsTICs.
At the meeting Of City Council last
night, the report of Ii. B. McIntiIe,
Chief Engineer Of the Water Depart
ment, was submitted and ordered 70
DO printed. Below 10 summary OF
the report: al
The report opens with reference to
the disastrous FIRE If January 9th,
1880, which destroyed the Penny
packer -four mills, adjoining the city
pumping station, and compliments
the firemen for their able efforts in
saving the city property from damage.
Special mention IL made Of the valua-
BILE services rendered by Councilman
Joseph X. Adams, on this occasion.
In this connection the report mem
tions the transactions of the Water
Department with j. l.. johnson &
Co., of Baltimore, owners OF the
burned mill, with reference to the
purchase by the city, Of their water
rights, to be used for pumping puI-
poses, which resulted in an offer by
Council Of $4,000 for the water
rights, after which the negotiations
abruptly terminated. On this point
the Chief Engineer says "FIom my
standpoint at the head of the Depart
ment, know this to be a mistake on
the part Of the city. am clearly OF
the opinion that these water rights, in
fact all the rights in South Long Race
should be owned ana controlled by
the city. The day Ia not far distant
when the city OF Wilmington will le-
quire every gallon of water coming
down the south side of the Brandy
wine to meet the requirements OF our
city. At many times during the past
summer and fall mouths we were CON-
PEELED 10 stop running our Worthing-
ton pump owing TO u scalcily of
water. am aware that the answer
to this, that the tide is at our very
doors however, am aware that our
citizens would not permit the Depart
ment TO pump the waters Of the
Brandywine, polluted as they are, at
our pumping station. In fact II clear
and pure we would be able only dur.
ing high tides 10 pump from the creek.
Il WOutA AOSphAhAOha NAAeN w
| obtained at the next session OF the
General Assembly to issue bonds for
the uIchase Of water rights in South
Long Race whenever they are offered
Tor sale, and the city and the owners
thereof can agree as 70 price and other
conditions.
NEW PUMP AT COOL sPRINc.
nfshA nam KnouIaa r,mu nnf In Al
Cool Spring reservoir the report says:
"IAm pleased to report that the terms Of
the contract were fully carried out aud
The pump proving satisfactory In every
respect, was accepted"
On ThusdAy, March 18th, We COM
menced straightening the race and re-
pairing the bank in front ot city mill
No. 2. This improvement was greatly
nesded, materially adds 70 the appear
ance OF the race bank, and now ADMIT
Of q free how Of water to our forebay.
DAMAGES AT COOL SPRING RESERVOIR.
The report next alludes othe damages
that were occasioned at Cool Spring res
eIyoir by the heavy rain storm of March
9Th last, when the East wall vi South
basin cracked so badly, aud The repAlrs
made thereto, according to the plans sub
mitted by the Chief Engineer. The
Chief Engineer says he Is not entirely
satisfied as TO the causes which led TO
Il The break. Defective brick work was
i0und ON the south basin side of the
overflow, which allowed the water 10 en-
| Ter between The bricks and the pudding,
aud how around aud soften tue pudding
under the foundations. Ali the damage
done was to the brick work aud the pud-
die lining, The embahkulsuls being as
perfect As the day they were built, and
Without brick or an inch OF puddle
liulng would hold water without leaking
or breaking for many years.
After these repairs we're flushed the
north basin was emptied aud cleansed,
and during the time The reservoirs were
oeing emptied the Worthington pump
At city mill, being IDLE, was given n
thorough OveThauling, as were also the
oollers, and all put in q tirst-class condi-
don.
THE TURBINE WHEEL.
A detail history OF the turbine wheel
and pump 10 next given. The contrac
vas entered into Sept. 10, 1879. The
pump was said to be finished by the con-
tractors, May. 20, 1850, but failed to
work, after which followed the Degotia-
| .ions with the Board Of Arbitrators OF
he water rights, relative TO changing
the mode Of applying the water 10 The
wheel. The request for such change,
however, was refused.
On the 9th OF November an amended
contract was entered into with the con-
racJors, Messrs. X. ID. Wood q Co
whereby the pumps were to be put In wo l.
ing order WITHIN sixty days from date ,
aud be able TO lift one million gallons OF
water 10 Cool Spring Reservoir in twenty
four houTs-ths ~ork 10 be accepted OF
rejected by the Water Committee within
shs said sixty days. The test was male
January Sd 10 9th Of the present year
aud proved satisfactory in every respect,
whereupon the turbine wheel and pump
we're accepted by Council on the 9TH
INST.
THE NEW BUILDING
for the Water Department, at Sixth
and King streets, was entered October
18th, after the Department had been
scattered for several weeks. The report
says the Levy Courl Building Committee
evidently came 10 the conclusion that
the only way to get The Department out
| of the old buildings on Court House