Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-19
WA1ER'S DESTRUCTIVE FORCE
Large Granite Blocks Washed
 From Positions.

M DHludSe W III 1lCSuiI AOAA~ Breaking of Sluice Gates at Daniel
 son-An Efforts to Stem the Tide
 Have Thus Far Failed-The Loss
 Will Reach S3O,OOO.-
 Danelson. Conn. March 10. - Al though every effort has been made to- day to stay the destruction caused by the breaking of the Sluice gates at the Nashawaug dam of the Peoples Tram way company, the water from the great reservoir. two and hat miles in length has continued 10 undermine new portions of the works, and at noon to-day it was much larger than the first estimates \ gang of men has been busy for large part of the day filling in at the east side of the race way to protect the buildings which stand within ten feet of the northwest corner of the dam. while another gang has been tearing away a section oL the big dam itself to provide an outlet for the water which now ruShes through the gatewayS. making 1t lnl- possible to determine the whole eXtcnt of the damage and at the same lime threatening constantly to undermine and carry away other portions Of the raceway.
 On the west side of the raceway, this morning. it was seen that the tor rent had attacked and partly under mined the new wall just completed. large granite blocks being washed bod fly from their positions. The old DOT tions of the granite work about the gateways and the sluice was carried away last night. It is said that the weak point Of the construction. where the immense pressure of the confined water was sufficient to burst through the two large gates one leading to the wheel pit and the other to the race way. was in old foundation work. which it was not thought necessary to rebuild when the new plant was put in. The theory is that there was quickSand at this point, and that the old foundation did not go deep enough to afford resistance to the head of water comprised in the plans for oper- ating the turbine wheels of 6JO horse power each.
 The company had not yet started the whole plant. but one of the three wheels had been running for several days, and it had been expected that during this week the power would be turned on in full. and everything would be in readiness for operating all the street railway lines for which the con- pany had made plans. None of the lines to which it is intended to supply power will be seriously affected by the accident, as they will continue to use power from the steam plants which now serve them. It is be- lieved that at least three months work will be necessary to repair the dam- age. At present, however, the full extent of the destruction wrought by the water can not be ascertained full ly, but the gateways, the raceway and the wheel pit, which is now filled with debris, will probably have to be large ly reconstructed. A careful estimate of the damage now known to have been caused places the loss at more than $3O,OOO.
 The plans of the Tramway company contemplate furnishing power to line now ill operation from DanielsOn to North Grosvenordale. fifteen miles, and to, branches to be built to Alta waugan and Williamsville. A short branch from North Grosvenordale to Perry's ill Massachusetts will give q through line from Danielson to Wor- cester as the Peoples Tramway con- pany now control the road from Web- ster to Worcester. Branches ill other directions are also contemplated and it is expected eventually the power from the giant plant will be distrib- uted over the counties of Windham and New London