Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-28
WELL,
Or some Similar Continuance NJ the
Water Works.

Some time ago the REGISTER contained an
article setting forth the necessity of \
pumping well at the Water Works. The
plans of Mr.. Charles Hamilton and Mr..
Robert Campbell were given, and though
differing in points. they looked toward the
same end, viz: To furnish the pumps
pure water, filtered of its filth and mpuri-
ties, and free of any substances which
might tend to clog up the pump. Superin-
tendent Riddle explained toa REeIsrER re-
porter that one OF the wrecks was q 10
this clogging OF the s~trainer, and he made
such Representations to the committee as
induced them to recommend the building
OF a well.
Yesterday morning a reporter was sent
up to the works u view the operation of
the pumps and thoroughly explain the de-
leteriCus effects Of pumping directly from
the river. All Of the engines were working
away for dear life, and a force OF men were
engaged in and about the power houses.
Conveyed by Mr.. Riddle, the reporter de-
scended to the pit in which the Worthing-
ton engine was making its duplex pulsa-
ton. sending hundreds of gallons of water
shooting up the incline at each motion OF
its ponderouS rods. The motion was rather
slow, aud this was explained aftcrward.
Watching the steady and reSiStlesS
way OF those steel arms for a mo-
ment, il could be noticed that after
ten minutes continuous work, a hoarse,
jerking, sobbing sound was heard; grow
ing deeper and more painful rs it proceed
ed.
That" said Riddle, shows the strainer
is stopped up and the pump cannot get
enough water. Now | will stop the engine
and blow out and suiting the action to
the word, he raped on a large pipe and
the engineer cut off the steam. When the
piston rods were still, Riddle turned the
steam into the proper pipe and caused it
to rush forcibly through the strainer
bubble and ripple the surface of the river.
Now" said he, 1.-The pump will work
smoothly for q while and turning on the
steam, his words were verified. The
strokes were noiSeleSsly and smoothly
made and a much higher rate of speed
maintained. But at the end OF ten min
utes the Jerking. ttrobbing sound was re-
peated, and again the blowing-out process
was necessary.
How often must you do this?' asked
the reporter.
About every ten minutes in the day.
Ii We run faster We ave 10 do il more fire.
quently. The way it operates against us
is this: That pump was expected TO focre
up three millions of gallons a day, but 1t
never comes up to anything like that, be-
cause we cannot run it up TO its speed. tx
cuse me a minute until | blow her out
again" and off he went.
This is the situation, and something
should be Ions about it. The necessity is
known to exist and should be met. Let
the plan be what il may, so il accomplishes
the end, but let something be done.
The old south battery of boilers has been
taken put and tossed upon the bank as
worthless old iron. An examination of
them shows their condition to have war
ranted this treatment long ago. The bat
teries in the new power house are in fine
working condition, with the exception a
large steam drum is necessary. cooperate
the two old fossils, the crank pumps. it is
necessary TO use the north battery of old
boilers as q steam drum. q. Should they let
down. we could say, with the stump ora
tor. Where are we now