New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-20
BIG WATER MAIN BURSTS.
MANY HOMES FLOODED.
Erecting ReScaes from Easements on
Upper Vest Side.

The bursting OF. water main. said to be the
largest in the city, at Broadway and Ninety
second-st., early yesterday. not only did damage
amounting TO thousands Of dollars 10 neighbor-
ing property. but shut of steam heat. nearly
drowned persons in basement fats swept away
supplies OF milk. rolls and eggs. and flooded a
part or the subway.
The burst at an elbow at which there
are three mains dverging OF twelve-inch,
twenty-inch and thirty-six-inch sizes. The ell
bow was made TO allow for a turn about the
southbound rapid transit tunnel station at
Ninety-hrst-st.. and the pipe IS said 10 have
sagged. causing the break. The main was
high pressure main. with subsidiary mains feed
ing a greater portion OF the upper West Side.
When it burst the water flowed with great
force and rapidity down the incline toward
West End-ave. in Ninety-frst and Ninety-sec-
ond SITS. Janitors and others who occupied the
Easements in the various houses were asleep
and in a number OF instances ,umbled out Of
bed just in time. Chairs, tables, trunks and
everything that would float were carried by the
water from room to room. and windows were
broken and walls injured.
According to Deputy Commissioner Frank
Goodwin, of the Department Of Water supply
Gas and Electricity. William Bradley. the sub
way contractor had complete control Of the
roadway at the point of the break. Pipes had
been moved from time TO time. Mr. Goodwin
said and the responsibility for any damage that
followed rested solely on Mr. Bradley. Mr.
Goodwin said that he had received report that
the rapid transit tunnel was injured for con-
siderable distance. but at the Office Of John r.
Mcdonald this denied.
When the pipe burst with a loud report earth
and stones were blown I'm the air. and the water.
in small geysers. began rushing down the street
+t. ,dred h
ST. station. sent in a fire alarm for assistance
and ran TO the apartment house at No. 2.465
Broadway. opposite which the main burst. He
found J. VI. Bourcey. the janitor. his wife.
mother-in-law and two children asleep Slat-
terry awakened them but they were unable 70
get out. The water pouring into the rooms
in deluge and the key i'm the door soon
under water. SIattery broke into the store over
head and started 10 make a hole I'm the
floor through which TO get the family out. when
the firemen arrived. With ladders they smashed
open the door and Bourcey and his family were
taken out by ladders.
Tenants throughout the neighborhood were
quickly awakened and rescue bands were hastily
organized 10 aid those who were imprisoned in
the various Easements. Among the owners OF
property 10 suffer was ex-Park Commissioner
Samuel Mcmillan. who owns the apartment
house at No. 2.465 TO 2.iiI Broadway. and also
-.bb
st. In the last named house the janitor was
awakened when the bed in which he sleep
ing began TO float about the room.
IN almost every basement that was flooded
the fires that heated the houses Uere put out.
In West Ninety second-st. "a number OF eXcit-
ing rescues took place. At Nos @SS and 90,
the Avondale Apartments. owned 10y Mrs.
Schmid. the ianitor. J. g. Blore. was rescued
after exciting time. 4 rescue party had been
organized 10y n. r. Fitzgerald. nearby prop
erty owner. assisted 10y Patrolman Mcnamara.
flay Yer he HlOre
and his wife the water short-circuted the cleo
triciJy. and there was a loud explosion. All
rushed out psli NELL. but Blore was rescued.
John Goetz. another janitor tn these apartments.
also rescued. with his wife and two chill
dren They were taken out through a window
At No 2a4 West Ninety-second-st Miss Cor
della y Bachus rescued by Two Columbia
students. Paul SAKE and Abram Frcdland. 4
milk wagon passing at the time and was
stalled hy the water. She was carried - the
wagon 10y dint CT hard work and the horse was
driven out OF the water.
The house at No nc West Ninety secoud-st.
is owned by Louis Bowsky. engineer and In
ventor. The water entered his parlor. damag-
ing relics ard valuables.
In a number Of instances rear Yards which
boxed In were hllei 20 overao~ing with
water from eight TO ten feet deep.
The water gates At EiEhty-siXth-st and Nint-
ty-sixth-st. were shut of about - o'ciocN.
nearly four hours after the water began rushing
through the hoUTes
Fireman jacob : BenaCk. Of Truck No. %.
had worked his way 10 the rear yard 81 No.
2.4G5 Broadway. and vas waist deep IN the
water I'm the yard. Suddenly the fence. which
was holding a vast amount Of water. next door.
gave vav with p crash. and a heavy volume OF
water descended on RenaCk. He vas carried
nearly forty feet and thrown bleeding ana
stunned against wall
The flooded Easements were pumped out ny
fire engines ard by noon nearly all were drained.
Chief Engineer Hill said I'm the afternoon.
The city under no circumstances VII pay TOT 2
cent 81 damages. 7 understand that the contractors
arc endca Norug to throw the responsibility on the
city II thar VIII he taken - the courts ana
Ne will fzht "a. the city had nothing whatever
10 do Iith the street. IL being entirely under tho
charge OF the contractors.
chief Engineer Deyo Of the subway said:
The street l. complete End vas handed over 70
the CITY as much year ago. II is again paved
and ia perfect order and we have nothing Whatever
10 do with q ANY suits or damages desired must
be brought against the city. as We are no lcnSes
table in any way for this section.
The exact district which was eventually flood
ed
From No % to No 2g6 West Ninety-second-
ST from No 60 20 No. 6J6 West End-ave, from
No 95i to No 269 West Ninety-hrst-st., and
from No > ISL TO No. 2,4IJ Broadway.
pvcTTTPE S0JO ONCE NINE. HUMBERT'S.