New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-24

sent down between the sheathing. AS the work
went its difficulties increased for when the
conduit was cleaned out clear 10 the bottom at
any one point the water flowed in. The great
part OF the break was cleaned out however, Dy
p. N. The side walls were found intact Tor the
whole distance. After that i only remained 70
take cut the mass Of earth which ii was thougnt
had been pushed into the conduit at the east
end for about twenty feet. IL was tnen
evident that water would Be RUNNING IN Adams
sent orders from the pumping station 10 Mt
Hawkes.. the Water Purveyor, 10 send out and
have all the fire hydrants and stop cocks on the
moiE opened This was necessary 10 leJ Tue
air out of the mains. There was great danger
that unless this done the pipes would DC
burst when the water was again turned on
THE BODIES NOT RECOVERED.
No attempt has as yet been made 10 get out the
three bodies which were buried when the arch
caved in. The men were evidently carried down
between the sheathing of the trench In which the
new conduit was being laid. mass Of tmbers
and sand is on top of the spot. 1t Is at the SIDE
of the broken arch, upon which all eHorts nave
been centred for two days. The needs OF Ihe
thirst threatened city were paramount. To-Day
an attempt will probably be made to get out the
bodies.
Materials had been taken to the scene of the ac-
cident in great abundance with which to repair
the walls of the conduit If they were found 10
be broken, and wooden suliceway had oeen con
structed to connect the broken ends II all the
masonry should be found destroyed Fortunately
the materials were not required, and at s 30 p. M
the water was running between the open walls
of the conduit.
The cause of the break appears to have been
an unequal pressure the arch. The earth had
been removed from one side and thrown on the TOP
1t was supposed that this removal was com
pensated for by the sheathing and bracmg In the
trench Elsewhere there had been no trouble
But springs and perhaps a 95a Ftds see II
had bulged little, and at the time Of the accident
there was a man at the bottom of the trench
fixing the braces. He was the man who was SO
wonderfully saved by being lifted out by the
infowing sand. The slide Of the sand and tin
bers and the weight of the derrick probably
caused lateral pressure on the north sac . OF .ne
sure from the other part of the arch, ana the
masonry gave way under the strain.
the DEPARTMENT Der of City Works that the water
was flowing through the conduit the news was
received with joy by large number Of the De-
partment officials who had assembled in the en-
engine-room of the Ridgewood waterworl ks. One
steam-pump was then set In motion, slowly at
first. because the water which came in from the
broken, conduit was mixed with large quantity
of sand. At the time when the engine began TO
work Mr.. Van Buren,, chief engineer Of the De-
partment of City Works said TO reporter: I'VE
are now at the end Of a long anxious period j
am unable to give you any official report Of the
causes which led to the breaking of the conduit
That report will be made in a day so 10 the De
SI-4 feet Of water in the Ridgewood reservoir,
and IA "a in the one az Prospect Park. In other
words, there are about 100000 gallons OF
water in the two reservoirs ready for immediate
use. The water is running through the
conduit and is coming into the wells here In the
engine-house. l have issued orders to have men
posted at the hydrants about the city in the high
est places with instructions 10 open them until all
the air has been forced ont and the water begins
to flow The water will be turned on TO the
mains from the reservoirs gradually at first to
prevent any damage from the bursting Of pipes"
Owing 10 the shutting of of the water supply.
work had 10 he discontinued in the shipwrights'
departments at the Navy Yard yesterday.
A TTRF PUT OUT WITH DIFFICULTY.
A fire broke out yesterday morning on the ton
floor of thh feUr-story brownstonc house No. 237
Carrol-st. at 10:45 o'clock. which. owing to the
scarcity of water threatened 10 spread to serious
proportions. AS it was it required the eXertions
of several engines and hook-and-ladder companies
TO contne the fire 10 the house in which it broke
out. The housa owned and occupied BY
Edward Downing, q shipbuilder, whose place OF
business at No. 2s Coenties Slip The fire was
discovered at o'clock by daughter of Mr.
Downing, who, while coming down stairs. noticed
smoke in the house Mr. Downing on reaching
the third floor TO discover the cause of the
smoke, saw that the childrens nursery was il
flames. With great difficulty he rescued his two
children who were in that room and had become
suffocated by the smoke. An alarm was sent 10
engine-house No i, in Degraw-St. near Court
after which the second and third alarms were sent
out. In twenty minutes time the entire top
story Of the house in flames and soon after
ward the roof fell in IL now seemed inevitable
that the flames would spread over the entire
block. As no water could be drawn from the
hydrants. hose was connected with the Planet
Mills at PreSldcnt->t. and Band-st. Another hose
was then run to GOwanus Canal and in short
time two streams Of water were playing on the
fire. BY Il :52 o'clock the fire under control
Much of the furniture carried ont Of the
house 10 place Of safety. The fire is thought
TO have been caused by the children who had
been playing with matches in the attic The los
il II no iS
only 81 800.