The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-18
Water Washes Out Big Chasm
at Washington and MathewsOn
Streets, and Wide Area is Under
mined - Cellars Flooded For
Blocks, Street Car and Other
Traffic Stopped and Much Other
Damage Done - Commissioner
Slade Gives His Theory as to
the Cause of the Break.

assembled things began to be righted at
once.
The huge gang of workmen on the con-
strnction work at Sockanosset was
brought TO the scene OF the disaster, and
the broken main was dug up, a new Sec
tion of pipe brought from the pipe yard
and men were set at work pumping ont
cellars.
When the water was pumped out of the
hole In the street II was found that the
break was in a 24-inch main that con-
meets with a 30-inch main. As there are
six mains on the street and IL was un-
known which main had burst the water
had TO be shut from the whole SIX thus
necessitating the closing OF the 21 gates
already enumerated. After 1t had been
learned which main had broken. the wat
er was turned into the other five mains
that buildings along them might not be
cut off from their usual water supply, and
so that In case of fire in the negnborhood
the firemen would not be handicapped
CAUSE OF THE BREAK.
Commissioner Slade said that he had
examined "a section of the broken main,
and that no evidence that the pipe had
been pitted by electrolyss was disclosed.
He was of the opinion that the main was
broken by a settlement of the earth from
beneath it, allowing II to sag and break
from its own weight. Whether this settle
ment OF earth was caused by the laying
OF the telephone conduits some months
ago he could not say. but lie said full
inquiry into the cause of the break would
be made
MAYORS THEORY
Mayor Patrick j. Mccarthy, who has
called attention repeatedly to the dan
gers resulting from electrolysis was
early on the scene OF the accident in con-
sultation with Commissioner Slade and
City Engineer Gray, In an effort TO dis
cover the cause of the accde.tn They
made as exhaustive an examination az
they could make under the circumstances.
and the mayor summed up his conclu-
sions as follows: MY theory OF the break
Is that when the electric light COM
pany's manhole was built the dirt was
removed from under a portion Of the big
water main near the joint and when tho
dirt was replaced IL was not properly re-
placed under the pipe nor sufficiently
which leads into the manhole rests upon
the water pipe. while the construction of
the street from the top Of the conduit 10
the bottom Of the street railway tracks
is solid and OF considerable weight. Add
ed TO this is the weight OF the cars. which
constantly pass over this point and the
jar OF their frequent passabe is like the
repeated blows from a mighty hammer.
The construction of the street at this
point made the water main bear he
weight OF the cars passing over the
tracks, ana tnc art unuef the main not
being packed tightly enough left room for
the pipe to give under this pressure. The
pipe being OF cast iron, would not bend.
but broke.
II suggested that photographs of the
effects of the accident be taken, and that
representatives OF the electric light. rail-
road and telephone companies be asked
to view the scene Immediately, and that
the city solicitor also see it, said tho
mayor. who had his eye on guarding the
city from prospective damage suits for
large sums. Summed UP, faulty con-
struction" was his theory, and he sticks
To IL.
MUCH DAMAGE DONE.
Much damage TO goods IN cellars along
caused by the deep flooding OF them by
the water. The News-Democrat sustain
ed especially heavy damage.
Street car service on Washington
street was abandoned because OF the dan
gerous condition OF that highway. That
probably have to be relaid from above
Mathewson street TO Eddy street.
SOME OF THE LOSSES.
Inquiry shows that the water damage to
stock In the various cellars will be COM
a small amount OF stock bost and the
Hotel Drcyfus claims a loss OF from 500
10 5000; J. f. Corcoran. druggist. In the
Labor Temple, claims a loss of not moro
than $500. A. y. Monroe. grocer. in the
Labor Temple. may suffer a loss OF about
500. although I'm the cellar there was a
stock OF perishable goods valued at from
$500 TO 5000. Much OF this stock. how
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