The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-14
DAM AT PoSEGANsET.

DAM AT PoYEGANsET.
of the Advance Club, Joseph Miller Geo.
J.. Hazard, chairman OF the committee OF
the Advance Club. Robert Reoch, mana
Works, Richard Howland, superintendent
of thes Hope mills, Hon: John II.
Campbell, James p. McNeilis, William
". Slocum, ex-representative Thomas
MCGUIRE and James c. Dow took car
riages at the Hope station at $50 A. NJ.
The route taken was through the viii
lagos of Hope, Kent and Ashland, by the
Lapham Institute, through Saunders
Vile and North Scituate to the Moswan-
sicut reservoir. distance OF ten miles
from the starting point, where the first
stop was made and the appearance OF the
thoroughly examined. The water in the
basin was found to be the lowest In ten
years Sand and rock islands which are
usually submerged in water were plainly
discernible and IL was estimated that IL
would take steady downpour of rain
before the reservoir could be filled. A
long discussion was held Mt this point
and interesting information was given by
Augustine Jones, Joseph Miller ID. NJ.
Thompson and George j. Hazard Of the
Advance Club.
Mr.. Miller stated, which was fully
aETteu 10 Dy pTcSeut, tndJ ~ 10
better to have water shed OF nearly
seventy square miles upon the southwest
branch of the Pawtuxet, which includes
the territory lying between Washington
village and Quidnick pond.
The advantages that could be obtained
by selecting that tract OF land were ex-
planned and continuing, the speaker said
that there would be head enough - con
vey the water TO the city of PROVIDENCE,
II Quidneck pond, which had Ratural
spring formation, was used. The effect
upon the various Pawtuxet Valley manu-
facturers would be that they could then
obtain twice the amount of water that
they had at present in dry seasons, while
the city would be enabled TO secure an
abundant supply Of purest water with
storage for fifteen months. II was the
only place in RHODE ISLAND where
cured while the distance that a pipe
would have to be laid would probably be
about ten miles In order to reac ch the up
per reservoir; six aerations could be had
before the water reached Washington
and the water could be delivered at the
Sockawosset reservoir with n good grade,
which would give 6}S feet above the pres
ent wSter level.
After reaching the pumping station
the Roman method could be used and
water aerated over steps which
would render it perfectly pure In every
AoSpcCt. 1uo SApeuse Oh course COulu not
accurately be estimated at present but
he thought IL could be done at a reason
able figure and above all "A portion OF the
present water service could be used AS a
reservation. The recent cases of typhoid
aud other dangerous diseases which have
visited the Valley were then discussed and
the origin was thought To occur on
account OF there being no modern method
of sewerage in the villages.
It was shown that the cholera was in |
troduced into Hamburg, Germany,
through the river from one patient. The |
river con tanned over 10000 times as much
water as the Pawtuxet IL any disease
germs should enter the Pawtuxet it |
would necessarily sweep the thickly in
habited districts of the city. A better |
and purer water service was needed and |
all present agreed that one should be Sc
cured at the earliest opportunity.
AT 1880 the party let the reservoir for |
the Ponesansett pond. which was reached |
after tedious drive OF three hours over a |
number OF the toughest roads in the State.
Many OF the gentlemen present had par |
taken OF an exceedingly early breakfast
and the long ride and bracing air whetted
their appetftes TO such an extent that nu-
merous raids were made upon the various
orchards owned by the prosperous farm
ers Of North Scituate ana Chopmist. One
farmer driving pair of horses hitched TO
load of oak wood TO market was met by
the members Of the press near Pond Fac
tory going to market. whose spirit
seemed TO be stirred within him, "and
upon being asked how far IL was TO Chop
mist said, ''He did not know, and they
could 20 TO sseol for all he cared ~
He was evidently mad at having TO
turn aside TO let the dozen carriages pass.
Arriving at Poneganset at las Il. NJ,
Shedd, City engineer City Solicitor Col
well, DR. Fisher, Charles Butterworth,
Walter III. Barney, DIR. Chaplin, a ldcrman |
West, Richard Andrew, j. n. Hunt and
q. {. Darling. who had come from pRovI-
DEEcE on the 9:25 A. NJ. train aud who
ha1 been driven direct instead OF taking
the roundabout course. Lunch was
served at O'Clock and the amount OF
estables prepared by Caterer Dodge of
River Point which was stored away was
a7aazing and caused many OF the natives
y open their eyes wide with astonish-
ifent.
The reservoirs at that place were visit.
N about Is minutes later aud dismal
fsene was presep ed TO view. The water
Has very low. None was flowing over tie
dam, and acres OF stones. sand, logs aud
brushwood were distinctly visible for
number OF miles.
Another meeting was held nj the dam
Of the reservoir which is situated dis
tance Of about 1000 feet from the mill
aud directly in front, and various suR-
gestions were offered some recommend
Ing that water shed should be con-
structed on that braoch which Is the
northwestern ono aud the one which in.
cludes the Hemlock brook, whiIe Others
thought the southwest branch would be
much preferable as no impurities would
then be found IL taken direct from the
Coventry reservoirs which could be con
structed In a very short time.
After viewing the trench and mill and
allowing the horxs to rest for another