Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-07-20
THE PARK WATER LOWER.

CHIEF Engineer Bonu says 1t Win be Located
$50 Feet south OF tho Proposed Location
on tho du Punt Tract.
Chief Engineer Joseph A. Bond of
the Water Department said Friday,
ing, that as result OF the action Of City
Council Thursday last with respect to
the proposed water tower in Rockford
Park, the tower will probably be erected
about $50 feet south of the location
over which the controversy arose, being
Just that much nearer Mt. Salem
Church and off the tract upon which
the du Points PLAYED the restriction
regarding the erection of buildings.
When reporter of the Gazette
called upon Mr.. Bond, he exhibited a
blue print of the upper end of Rock
ford Park and adjoining territory and
streets, upon which elevations were
marked at various points. When the
drawing was made it was so arranged
as to show the features of the du Pont
tract and the one adjoining on the south
which is now under consideration, and
Mr.. Bond exhibited figures showing
that the location upon which there
is no restriction is 1913 feet above
tidewater, while the du Ponu tract con-
tains point 257. SO feet above tide.
water. "You will notice." Mr.. Bond
remarked, THAT both locations are
about the same, so far as the elevation
is concerned, and there is no material
difference from the water-supply stand.
point which is selected. As matter
of fact, it would probably be better for
the Water Department to use the new
location, as it is nearer to the present
water supply and SO much Pipe will not
be needed. +"
Mr.. Bond is of tho opinion that the
Park Commissioners will readily grant
permission to erect the tower on the
tract nearer the church, and believes
the work will be commenced as soon as
the arrangements eau be made. The
object is to supply water to the houses
on the Highlands. at Rockford, Kent.
mere and other high places, too high
for the regular city service, and the
department desires to furnish this
service as soon as possible.
The tower proper will be of iron, but
it will be surrounded by stone and
brick wall, which will he 31a feet thick
at the base and 10 feet in crcumfer-
ence. The tank. which will be 10 feet
above the ground and GO feet high, will
have capacity of 800, 600 gallons. Tho
water will be pumped from the Cool
Spring station.
The original idea of building an
observatory on top will, Mr.. Bond
thinks, be carried out 1t will probably
be 80 feet above the ground. The chief
object in having the tower on the
du Pont tract, Mr.. Bond says, was to
have it near the park drive, which is
considered a better location for an
observatory.
AS very little was said at the meeting
of Council last Thursday concerning the
matter, there was much speculation
as to why such summary action
was taken. The Democrats all voted
against the signing of an agreement to
indemnify the du Points in case of
damage resulting from powder will
explosion, while the Republicans voted
in favor of such an agreement.
President Alexander, when spoken to
about the matter, gave his reason for
opposing such an agreement. while
there might be no danger from having
an observatory on that tract" he said,
~ think it was wise in Council not to
assume the responsibility which would
have been placed upon it in case an
accident should happen. There must
be some uncertainty about the matter
or the du Points would not want us to
indemnify them. 1t might be all right
to have the agreement. Nothing might
ever occur that we would regret, but
If somebody should be injured or killed
at tho observatory as the result of a
powder mill explosion we would be
censured by the public, to say nothing
of the litigation in which the city
might become involved"