Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-18

proved comparatively easy and most
successful.
Mr.. Latter first had many boxes
made of 7.1-2 by 3l-2 inch plank.
The pipe, which Is OF first quality
galvanized iron. was taken ABOARD
a scow and towed from the Mena-
warmet wharf to Linekin Bay where
there was calm water. Then the
sections of pipe were Joined together
to make three long sections OF ABOUT
1900 feet. The joining was done on
the scow and the pipe showed over
board and into the boxes as fast as
q new section was added. This work
took the most of the ten days. The
three long sections were anchored In
Linekin Bay.
The ends Of the pipe had been
stopped UP to keep the water out
while the pipe rested on the water.
coupling made especially for this JOB
in Portland.
Twelve o'clock on Tuesday night
Supt. Latter had selected for joining
up the pipe, because Of the slack Of
the tide and the best conditions OF
wind. He had his crew Of men and
the motor boats ready at that hour.
One long section Of the Joined pipe
was taken to the shore at Squirrel
Island and made fast to the main
there. Another section was towed
in its boxes to the middle section Of
open water and the third long Sec
ton was lined up with these toward
the Spruce Point shore. 1t took un-
til nearly eight o'clock in The morn
ing to get these sections lined up and
coupled with the special sleeve COUP
ling.
The whole 5000 feet was finally
strongly joined and one end rested
safely on Squirrel, and the other on
Spruce Point. In the early morning
Mr.. Latter turned on a stream of
water at Spruce Point through a sec
ton Of fire hose and when the pipes
were thoroughly filled they gradually
sank, dropping below the surface
gently and carrying with them their
supporting boxes to help support
them still more as they rested on
the uneven bottom.
Shortly after the pipe had settled
to it's final resting place Mr.. Latter
joined up the Spruce Point shore end
of pipe with the Spruce Point main
and turned on the water from the
standpipe. The result was observed
for some. hours and there was no in
dication of anything but perfect
job. The result at Squirrel is consid-
erably more force and a greater
abundance of pure pond water.
The workmen had good weather
most of the 10 days they were on
the job. which perhaps accounts in
part for the fact that Mr.. Latter's
precautionary appliances were not
required. Several big engineering
firms were asked by the water COM
missioners to estimate this contract
and they added $4,000 to the estimat-
ed cost of the work on account of
the risk. They considered the risk
very great and that the danger of
having a break occur and its result
ing extra work would we'll be worth
the $4,000. 1t was up to Mr.. Latter
he did.
The cost Of the pipe and laying is
about $4,000. The four inch main laid /
last year from the Neptune factory
TO Spruce Point and the laying cost
about $1,000. The Public Utilities
Commission Of the State, which or !
dered the pipe laid. is to be given /
the complete figures and must adj
Just the rate for furnishing the wa
ter to Squirrel Island residents.
The actual distance from the shore
at Spruce Point to the shore at !
Squirrel is within a few feet Of one
mile, the difference in the length
of the pipe used. 6400 feet. being /,
due to the drop to the bottom and
the irregular surface on which it was
to lay.