Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-29
connection. The general nIan for the VIC

connection. The general plan for the WORK was
made In 1879 by Capt. r. L Hoxie, then assistant
70 the Engineer Commissioner of the District This
carried by tunnel under Rock Creek, extending
from the distributing reservoir to new reservoir
priation for the work was approved July Is. isS2
1t directed the extension OF the aqueduct as plan
ned, provided for the construction OF the new res
ervoir with capacity OF not less than 800 OOO 900
gallons, the erection OF necessary gate houses and
the making OF main connections, and completing
above Great Fails. The appropriation then made
was 81, AS, 2!9.3O or this sum $3.50. 534.55 was
for the tunnel, or extension Of the aQueduct Sub
sequently there were several calls for more money,
mainly for the tunnel. The total amount APP
propriated has been $2,575, 1880, or
appropriated. The chief reason for asking for
more money has been on account OF the necessity
for lining the tunnel Originally 1t was believed
that this would be unnecessary. The law pro-
vdes that onehalf Of the cost Of the work shall be
charged against the District. Plans were COM
providing for carrying the CONDUIT in tunnel all
the way from one reservoir to the other instead OF
under Rock Creek only. The work on the dam at
Great Falls has been completed and the new reser-
voir mas also practically been completed. The
contractors for the tunnel were Beckwith d
Quackenbush, and ground was first broken at
Foundry Branch shaft December IL, 1883. The
plan, which has been carried out, was 10 sink
connecting shaft at the distributing reservoir TO
depth OF 20 feet above mean high tide, the level
OF which was taken as the datum line. The Jun-
mel, having normal crOSS-Sect1On OF S2k square
eet, would linen start eastward on It's alT line for
the new reservoir, dipping to within 253 feet of
the datum line at the Foundry Branch shaft,
distance OF 2,4lS feet, then rising slightly to an
atr-Shaft at Fayette street, where 1t should dip
suddenly to avoid the bed OF Rock Creek, 6, 437
feet from Foundry Branch. At this point IL goes
below the line about 80 feet, and then rises Sunl-
GENTLY TO clear it lew feet at an air-shaIt mid
way between the creek and Champlain avenue.
where the tunnel rests on the line and another
working SHAFT Is sunk. From this point to the
eastern terminus distance OF 665S Ieet, the tun-
mel is almost level rising about IA feet. There Is
an air-shaft at 18th street. The work Of tunnel
ing was begun February It, 1884.
THE TUNNEL LINING.
In 1886 the question OF the character Of the lin
ing in the tunnel was considered by the House
appropriation committee. The result was that
when the appropriation asked for was made it was
coupled with the prov1so that the Secretary OF
War take the advice OF the board OF engineers on
Qualifications upon the plans and methods pursued.
The board named, after examlng the work, made q
report dated August "a, 1885, lndorSing the use OF
brick for lining, and expressing the opinion that
the exclusive use OF concrete was impracticable.
The board recommended that the space between
the brick arching and the rock be filled with rub
Bile laid In cement mortar, or with fine concrete
packed solidly around larger stones, according to
convenience. The character OF the lining used
was, thereupon, changed and the expense in
creased. Last years appropriation was made large
enough also to provide for lining or archiny the
tunnel through It's whole length.