The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-26

charge OF this work some account of the
peculisr local conditions Is necessary. In
the early years OF the century there was
In the outskirts of Providence n stretch
OF msrsby lald and 9 sheet of water, w here
theWoonasquatucket and Moshassuck riv-
ers united and formed the Providence riy-
or. This place(the water in which was sub
ject to tidal range) was known as the
Cove, and AZ he city grew, ii was decided
to establish circular basin and park AT
this site. When the Boston & Providence
Ii. X. completed In 1880 desired to ex-
tend its line further into the city, in
lSss, land was granted for terminals on
the southeast side of the Cove, on condi-
tion that the railway company should
build segment OF the masonry retaining
wHff for ths basis, the water are, Of
which was about 80 acres. simiIar con-
ditions we're imposed on the New York.
Providence * Boston X. X. when that
road entered the city from the west, and
the two railways then made a track con-
nection ana USED the same station. The
city authorities then completed the re-
tanning wall and laid cut an ornamental
park, dam being built below the basin
TO retain the water at the level of nigh
tile. Win tbs growth OF the manufac-
turing intsrests ana the discharge of
waste and sewage into the rivers the
water in the basin became foul and un.
he .lthy. The city had by this time
grown up to and beyond the railways,
aDc the increase Of traffic on the railways
practically cut of access TO the park, the
tracks crossing ell the streets at grade.
La 1887 the Mayor, by direction Of the
municipal authorities, appointed a COM
mission OF engineers to report upop
plans for new railway terminals, the
commission being omposeu OF MIR. Jo-
seph M. Wilson, Mr.. Don J. Whittemore
and Mr. Alfred T.. Boiler, all mem hers OF |
the American Society of Civil Engin lers.
The plan proposed by this commission |
was to hll Ia the Cove and lay out the |
land rs park, and to place the through |
tracks and a passenger station along the
north side of this land. with separate
freight terminals for the several railways.
All grade crossings were to be removed.
The plan, however, was not adopted by |
The municipal authorities, but il was de-
ciied to build masonry cnaunels for the
two rivers, connecting at a point beyond
The old basin, and then to fill in behind
The walls OF these channels with gravel.
The contract for this work was LET in
5eptem Der 1888, to Janes j. Newman, of
Providence, ct sle3. 921. Other expenses
made the total expenditure by the city
lhout slOO, 00) more. The work was un-
tsr tAe-effarge OF City Engineer Her.
bert Shedd with MIR. William ID. Bullock
Is Assistant Engineer and MIR. Henry N.
Francis as Resident Engineer.
La July, 1883, directions we're given to
dr. 5. l.. Minot, engineer for the Old
solony R.R. and Boston & Providence X.
&, and MIR. Il. p. Dawley, cnief enpi-
'eer OF the New York, Providence g.
'oston R.R., to examine and report upJn
'lsns for terminal facilities, aud they
e'lsed plan which was adopted, and |
now being carried out, with some mod.
fcaiions. The plan consists In replacing
he present sharp curve south of the old
'ove by on easier curve across the Cove.
he land being all Glled In aud a station |
uilt upon tnis site; the tracks ere eIe- {
sted. ell grade crossings being abolished. q
at the station and platform ere reached s
v roaowsys OF easy grade. without the 9
Sc Of steps. a
IRE acquisition cf the two RAILWAYS .
bovs meati0nen ny the New York, New I
sven q Hartford Il. x. Go. consieerahly :
mplihed m tiers, both I'm rs1ard to the u
nliey OF the work snd the dstoi.s OF con. 1 d
ruciion. J his road and the New Eng Il
vi x. X. are now the only two wh!cn .
III use the station. and the latter is y
ow controlled by the n. y, N. n. q b
II. H. TO.
The city flied in the land at the Cove y
10 sold 1t TO tire rtilWpy company q, 81
20 rer square foot for about 4i scre. c
translerro'. Tire land now occuuie1
The old tracks and stllion will be | n
iurhi back ny tBe city q a. per sausrs q
Of, Including tte tuileinse thereon n
nd fai tire flight yards was ssId To TIE ir
ilWar inter sta ut 70 cts. TO 81 pr rauars
o.. Ia nll ~ actes OF lsnd have be,f II
hy the railway from IN n
v.snh toe city has purchased 2 acres OF q,
~ formerly used by the r ilway. In