The evening times., 1896-04-20

DARKNESS of the oonduits, however. this
once clear water becomes dark and foul
smelling.
Hundreds OF street sewers pour their
vile solutions into It, and by the tune these
subtcrranean currents reach their outlets
they are laden with the fuulest of liquids
and solids.
WORKING AMIDST P0lSONS
The atmosphere III these navIgabIe tun-
Dcls Is correspondingiy awful, yet the negro
sailors OF the sewer ilect have 70 contend
with the poisons in both the air and water
surrounding them for a nunIier OF hours
during each or the working lays in the
active season.
These underground mariners are an odd
LOOKING lot-as odd as the nuuseuus Old
! crafts they navigate. They arc per diem
employees of the District sewer depart
rncnt, and tiieis outfit consists Of high rub
Der boots and leGiets. tarpau ulin nor wester
hats and rubber coats. Not the least i'm
portant feature OF the sewer sailors out
lit Is a miners lamp, to he Worn on the
front of the hat for after leaving tic
opening at Sonth Capitol and G streets
southwest tnear course extends through
region of iDky dH kness. only relieved at
long intervals by tie stra sriinG rays OF
light from an occasional msEholc or sewer
opening. s4ih
large riambeau.- The latter are used
when they are at work sccoping out
the black sand, which acCumulaies ia pidly
on the bolt ON of The tunnels and would III
time choke up the flow OF water were
it not removed systema tically.
The sand is loaded into the scows and
taken TO an outlet in South Washington.
where it is raised 10 the street and used
| for paving and other purposes. The sCows
/ a nrunpiigI Thrnus-lg no i,.l-i ia
| by means of poles, with which the sailors.
standing on the Gunwaies. push them 2lnpg.
| while digging out the sand the workmen
sometimes bring up the dead bodies of
| Infants that We're cast into the street
! sewers and finally found their way into
| the great conduit which carries away a
great portion OF the oity's sewage. Every
| day they encounter the bloated and tester
| ing carcasses OF dogs. cats. chickens. and
even goats. floating down to the river
| and followed by a most horrible odur.
THEIR MARROW ESCAPES.
The Sc wer mariners also encounter the
! deadly sewer gas during their trips under
the busy. busting thorouehfafes "f tie city,
| and several OF them have had narrow es-
capcs from death from its nnSious fumes.
The Illness resulting from encounterins
| these deadly currents is called sewer
collie and many men victims of that uG-
| pleasant aiinent have been borne on the
| District sick rolls.
The life cr these underground sailors is
| a disagreeable and dangerous one at best,
bnt they enter upon it with song aEd jest.
and appear as unconcerued as though they
| were about to embark on n river steamer
| for jaunt down the Potomac.
All was hustle and business at the siuice
| gate on South Capitol street this morning
| as the men trimmed their lamps, prepared
| their poles and tools, and otherwise ar
ranged for their dark cruise in the roisnme
waters under the big city. The men carry
| their dinners too, hut how they manage to
! eat them. under the circumstances, is a
! mystery as dark as tile waters through
which they plow. The naviEable length OF
| the tunnels is said to be nearly two miles Of
darkness and foulneSs.