Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-03
WITHOUT WATER OR Light:
A Bad Break in the Main Which
Supplies the City Reservoir
Causes Pumping to Stop - the
Water Supply Was Shut On
From the City = Electric Light
Plant Shut Down on Account of
insufficient Pressure on the Boil
ers-A Force of Men Worked All
Night Repairing the Break.

About $50 o'clock last night there
was a bad break in the main which sup
plies the city reservoir, with serious re-
suits. The main is 80 inches, and runs
from the pumping station to the reser-
voir at the head of Seventh street. The
break occurred at the intersection Of
Seventh and Market There was no
person on the street at the time, or the
accident might have been attended
with even more serious results.
Mr. Williams witnessed the accident
from his pharmacy ON Main street, and
for a moment thought there was an
earthquake. The dirt, rocks, and sec
ton Of the main weighing probably 200
pounds, were blown into the air, 10 the
height OF the surrounding buildings.
The fragment OF pipe was carried fifty
feet down Seventh street. This will
give an idea of the force of the water
After the first explosion the water ran
over the street, down Seventh to Main,
flooding the latter thoroughfare for a
distance of several blocks.
Supt. Varney, of the water works,
was Immediately notified, and was on
the scene in a short time. He found
that the water had washed rocks weigh
ing several pounds down the Main
street. He also discovered that there
was another, and worse break in the
main, some distance up the side of the
hill, which must have occurred about
the same time This latter fact is con-
sidered remarkable, as one break must
have relieved the pressure. The breaks
were no doubt due to flaws in the pipe,
as investigation substantiates this
theory.
Through the police force. some of the
large consumers were requested TO
economic in the use of water. There
was only a four hours supply in the
reservoir, and this was soon practical
ly exhausted. A sufficient quantity
was retained to start the engines in the
pumping station. AS a matter of
course, persons living in the lower
wards of the city did not suffer so
much last night, as those living nearer
the source of supply, as the mains were
all filed. Many Of the industrial
plants, the hotels and other large con-
Sumers, were without water early in
the evening. and suffered serious in
convenience. AT the Register office,
water for the engine was carried in bar
rels. Many others adopted the same
plan.
To add to the gravity of the situation,
it was not long until the electric light
plant officials found that the pressure
was not sufficient to run the boilers,
and thep liant was compelled to close
down. throwing the city in total dark
ness during the night.
Two courses were open to Supt. Var
ney, the repairing of the break and
starting the old pumping station in
operation. The latter, on account Of
the length of time the station has been
idle, would have required some repairs,
oiling of machinery, ETC., which would
have required considerable time. He
decided that the break could be repair
ed in the time required TO place the old
plant in running order. A large force
OF men was put to work Immediately,
and they were up all night. 1t was
found necessary to cut up the old main
in order to remove it. The break oc-
Cured at a point where the supply pipe
connects with the Market street main.
When Supt Varney was seen by Reg
lister reporter about eleven o'clock, he
could not say how long it would take
TO have the damage repaired. He was
of the opinion that grave error was
made when the city laid a 30-inch
maina instead Of two 20-inch mains.
This would have been a wise precau-
ton. and in case of such an accident as
that Of last night, would not have left
the city entirely without water. Each
2O-inch main could have been attached
to a separate pump.
The accident practically left the city
at the mercy of fires, and the Insurance.
men. fremen and citizens generally,
were in an uneasy frame of mind dur
ing the night. In case OF fire, it would
have been found necessary to pump the
water from the river or creek, and if
the fire originated at point a consid-
cradle distauce from the water supply.
there would have been a scarcity Of
hose.
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