The Portland daily press., 1900-10-17
Low WATER PRESSURE.
In Some Sections There
Was Little Water
A Big Fire Would Have Caused
Great Danger.
w ater Company W as
Repairing a Conduit.
Tests Made of Condition at
East and West End.

Water pressure was light on high levels
yesterday and 1t is announced that 1t viii
also be light today. The supply in these
districts OF the city must be shut OF in
order that an examination OF the con-
duit at the lake may be made. While these
shut-offs have taken place in the city
there has been at times considerable curl
osity aroused as to what effect this
would have provided a big conaagra-
tion should burst out in this part Of
the city. Nothing, however, has ever been
done regarding an Investigation until yes
terday morning when Alderman Thom-
as, the chairman Of the committee on fire
department. decided to make 81 test in
order to satisfy himself as to just what
condition the city would find itself In
should a fire in these districts obtain a
lively headway. He conferred with Chief
Engineer Eldredge on the matter and
the chief assured the alderman that he
would be willing to make an investiga-
tion. This was done and in the after
noon Alderman Thomas and the Chief
Engineer went to the west end of the
city where the water pressure was light
and to the Munjoy hill district
where the pressure is also low.
At 2 clock in the afternoon they de-
cided to make a test of the pressure in
the hydrant on Brackett street, in front
OF the house of Engine 3. 1t was found
that this engine could get enough wat
er to handle a big IRE in that district,
but that there was not enough water &c
suppy more than one engine on the level
This district is bounded by Spring ana
Brackett streets, up around +he Maine
General hospital and the Western
Promenade. Chief Engineer Eldredge
stated rs his opinion that the water
pressure that prevailed in this district
yesterday was not of much use, although
he thought that one engine might be
able to get water enough. 1t was a grave
doubt whether two engines In that Sec
tion would be able to secure enough |
water to tight any fire that might get
gcod eheadway.
Leaving Brackett street Alderman
Thomas and Chief EIdredge drove to
Munioy Hill and there with Engine
made an investigation in that district
The engine was run out of the house and
over to the corner of North and Cumber-
land streets, to test the power of the
hydrant at that plaza. The engine was
furnished with full pressure of steam,
but work as hard as it might 1t was
poWerIess to throw out the least bid OF
water through the hose that was extend
ed along the street. The engine simply |
pumped air and after trying the test foI |
several minutes the firemen went back |
to the house, for once having failed with |
their engine to pump water when It !
was needed. CHIEF Engineer EIdredge |
stated that should big fire break out |
in that vicinity while the water was low !
the department. would be obliged to |
stretch lines from different steamers
and fight the flames as best they cou Id In |
that manner.
ut is no use to beat about the bush In |
this matter, he said. ''This is a pret- |
ty serious condition of affairs and the |
people would c0me pretty near TO realiz- |
ing 1t should big fire break out with /
the water pressure light in these places. /
Ii brisk ire should break out In these /
districts at this time we would be i
simply unable TO handle it. That 1s'aIi |
there is to it, -
5nat the examination as it tended to |
confirm what he has long believed.
Two years ago IN certain sections of the |
City the wat er pressure was low Tor 1
Two days. This was during the summer /
slime and IN recalling the fact yesterday /
che hremen said that ip luckily nap |
pened that no fire occurred