New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-02
THROUGH THE AQUEDUCT.
A TOUR OF THE NEW CONDUIT.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS IN THE GREATEST
TUNNEL IN THE WORLD.

TUNNEL IN THE WORLD.
THE MASSIVE eATE.HoUsE AT cRoToN LAKE
QUAKER BRIDGE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TroN AND RECONSTRUCTION - 100000
WASTED 900 HOLES CUT-GRoUTING.
walk through the new Aqueduct was pro-
posed. The first requisite was a passport, and 10
obtain ii visit was paid TO the chief engineer,
Alphonse Fteley, whose Office is in the Stewart
Building Mr. Fteley is as courteous as he is
learned in his profession. The reporter was a
little doubtful about the pronunciation of his
name, and took care TO prime himself before send
ing in card. The elevator-boy whispered in
confidence that Everybody called il different;
some Eftilly," soue "Eftly," some Fltealy,'
some "Footly," few "Te-ley." Mr.. Frost, his
private secretary, was appealed TO. "1elly, he
said which seemed simple enough, and the re
porter mastered it thoroughly. Mr.. Fteley, who
was exceedingly busy, regretted that he could not
accompany the reporter on his tour NO one had
vet walked through the tunnel not even an
engineer not even that fine old soldier and gentle
man. General Duane who had been IN the habit of
making two or three subterranean expeditions
week. Four letters were written, similar to this
CHIEF ENGINEERS OFFIcE-AoUEDUCT CON-
5MISsIoNERSs
A. Fteley, chief engineer
George S. Rice deputy chief engineer.
NewYork, Jan. 20 1890.
Mr. Charles S. Gowen division engineer, Sing Sing N. Y.
Dear Sir: This is to introduce Mr.. -, Of The
Tribune who wishes to make trip through the aqueduct
tunnel visit the gate houses ETC. Please extend
to possible facilities to visit the work under your
charge. ON, respectfully,
A. FTELEY, Chief Engineer,
The other three letters were written to George
B. Burbank, division engineer, Brewsters Station;
Alfred Craven, division engineer, Yonkers, and
Edward Wegman, jr., division engineer, No. 324
ST. Nicholas-ave.
al shall Also" said Mr.. Fteley, write per-
sonally to each Of these gentlemen, telling them
of your intended visit so that they may be pre-
pared to receive you"
This however, proved unnecessary, as, on tho
next day, Mr.. Rice, the deputy chief engineer,
cheerfully consented to act escort during the
journey. The reporter suddenly found himself
relieved of every embarrassment, Mr. Rice taking
hold at once and arranging all the details of the
trip. The first meeting at the Grand Central
Station on Thursday morning, January 30. The
sun was just rising when the train reached Sing
sSing. IL was bitter cold. Two STOUT gray
horses, rockaway and "Jim," the driver, were
IN waiting, and they whired the tourists over the
frozen roads in the direction Of Croton Lake,
seven miles distant. On the way Mr. Gowen, who
has charge Of the first fourteen miles Of the aque
Duct, was picked up. He is an engineer of ack-
nowledged ability and few words. The city is
largely indebted to him for the exposure of count
less frauds in the masonry of the tunnel. A
short stop was made at his office, where the
can't places in the roclxaway were filled with
tunnel toggery, then the drive was continued
through frost-nipped valleys and barren hills,
along the edge of the proposed Quaker Bridge
Reservoir which is to hold 80 900 600 900 gallons
han Had on1 70 CrnfO
Dam, where the great gate-house stands in
niche blasted out of the solid rock of the hills.
Here the tunnel was to be entered for the long
journey.
GETTING INTO RUBBERS
In d small frame house below the dam, used
for an Office, complete metamorphosis was eff
fected In the outward appearance Of Mr.. Rice,
Mr.. Gowen and the reporter Tweed trousers and
diagonal coats were exchanged for corduroys.
which seemed to have had an intimate acquaint-
with the country; light shoes were taken
off, thick woollen socks were pulled Isle
thread and the feet and legs as high up the
hips incased in rubber boots, with innumerable
corners and crevices and angles. and room enough
for the foot to roam about promiscuously, eXcori-
ating heel, instep, and ankle-bone regardless Of
the future. Mr.. Rice chung to his sealskin cap,
but his companions laid aside their derbys and
plunged head and ears into rubber sou'westers.
Rubber coats completed the outfit Mr.. Rice
looked partly respectable, Mr.. Gowen looked like
O battered tar on weather-beaten whaler, the
reporter looked like tatterdemalion scarecrow
in watermelon patch The trio were a sight to
brighten darkness out of the tunnel But, mas
much as they were impervious to moisture and
indifferent to silicate of magnesa. they were con-
tent. Mr.. Gowen padded his coat with candles,
shouldered O scoop-like reflector that swung in a
fork at the end Of pole, and took up the march.
THE GREAT GATE HOUSE.
The eate-house through which the water is
admitted to the aqueduct is an imposing structure,
almost overpowering in its immensely. 1t sets
in great hole blasted in the solid rock 100 feet
below the old dam. Far above the level Of the
water is the upper inlet, short tunnel about
ten feet in diameter. Below this is the middle
inlet of the same size. The uninstructed wonder
WINS those two big holes gaping there in
the side of the hill can have to do with the
water supply. They would never guess that this
massive gate-house was built in view of the con-
struction Of Quaker Bridge Dam, and that the
two inlets will be Of sort Of service till such
time as that dam may be constructed. And there
is still another inlet, fortyfour feet beneath the
upper one through which not drop of water can
flow till the Quaker Bridge Reservoir is com
pleted. The water above the present dam reaches
the gate-house through what is called the bypass
inlet, tunnel near the bottom Of Croton Lake.
This bypass was constructed under many diff
culties. In order to prevent the water In the
lake from interfering with the work a wall OF
rock was left standing on the bank, between the
portal and the lake, TIL the tunnel was finished
and the gates were closed. Then single blast
of 800 pounds of dynamite blew the wall into
fragments, and the channel was complete. Mr.
Rice. Mr.. Gowen and the reporter stood on the
wall near the portal and watched diver at work
removing pieces of stone from the bottom. Tho
lake was covered with ice as he worked
QUAKER BRIDGE DAM.