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Timestamp: 2016-08-24 12:21:45
Document Index: 195441668

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 8', '§ 8', '§\n3', '§ 5', '§ 8', '§5', '§3']

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CITY ENGINEEE,
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[Document 39 — 1890.]
CITY OF |.,:;.A BOSTON.
TAYENTY-THIED ANNUAL REPORT
To the Honorable City Council : —
In compliance with the seventh section of the ordinance
year 1889 is respectfully suljmitted : —
the following heads : —
proper, which consist in examination and supervision of
structural repairs of bridges ; in designing and superintend-
ing the construction of new Ijridges, retaining- walls, city
wharves, etc., and in miscellaneous engineering work called
for by the City Council. (City Engineer's Department.)
B. — Superintendence of the Sudbury-river, Cochituate,
and Mystic Water-Works, including charge of new construc-
tions for these works. (Water- Works.)
C. — Charge of the construction of a S3^stem of inter-
cepting and outlet sewers. (Improved Sewerage, or Main
D. — Charge of the engineering work in connection with
the Back-Bay and other proposed parks. (Parks.)
2 City Document No. 39.
The expenses incurred under the head C are paid wholly
from a special appropriation.
A.— CITY ENGINEER'S DEPAETMENT.
January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1890 : —
Amount expended from department appropria-
tion for 1888-89 $10,203 64
tion for 1889-90 25,407 22
Total $35,610 86
1889-90 $35,000 00
Amount expended to January 1, 1890 . . 25,407 22
Unexpended balance, January 1, 1890 . $9,592 78
men, transitmen, levellers, rodmen, etc.
Engineering instruments and repairs of same .
Drawing-paper, and all materials for making
plans .......
Stationery, printing-stock, note-books, post-
age, etc. .......
Reference library, binding books, and photo-
graphs of works .....
Travelling expenses (including horse-keeping,
repairs on vehicle, etc.) ....
Telephone service .....
Furniture cases for plans and books, etc.
Blue-process printing .....
Incidental expenses, and all other small sup-
plies .......
partment appropriation was, on the 1st of January, 1889,
21 ; the present number (including the City Engineer) is 20.
$35,610 86
Eeport or City Engineer. 3
The operations of the department for the year, together with
such general information relating to the various works and
structures, finished and in progress, as is thought to be of
interest, are given in the following statements : —
In accordance with Section 5, Chapter 18, of the Revised
Ordinances, the estimates of cost of repairs submitted by the
Superintendent of Bridges has been revised and reported
upon, and structural repairs required have been ordered and
As required by Section 4 of the above, examinations have
been made of all highway bridges within the city limits, and
the usual routine work of superintending the repairs made
by the Bridge Department upon those in its charge has been
List of Bridges Inspected.
Five bridges have been added to the list this year,
namel}" : —
Bolton-street Bridge, over N. Y. &amp; N. E. Railroad; By-
ron-street Bridge, over Boston, Revere Beach, &amp; Lynn Rail-
road ; Cottage-street Foot-bridge, over flats, East Boston ;
Leyden-street Bridge, over Boston, Revere Beach, &amp; Lynn
Railroad on Breed's Island; and Harvard Bridge, over
In the list, those signed with an asterisk are over navigable
waters, and are each provided with a draw.
Agassiz road, in Back Bay Fens.
Ashland street. Ward 23, over Boston &amp; Providence
Athens street, over New York &amp; New England Railroad.
Beacon Entrance, Back Bay Fens, over Boston &amp; Albany
Beacon street, over outlet to Back Bay Fens.
Beacon street, over Boston &amp; Albany Railroad.
Berkeley street, over Boston &amp; Albany Railroad.
Bolton street, over New York &amp; New England Railroad.
Boylston street, in Back Bay Fens.
Boylston street, over Boston &amp; Albany Railroad.
4 City Document No. 39.
Broadway, over Boston &amp; Albany Railroad.
Brooldine avenue, over Boston &amp; Albany Railroad.
Byron street, over Boston, Revere Beach, &amp; Lynn Rail-
*Cliarles river, from Boston to Charlestown.
*Clielsea (south), over South Channel, Mystic river.
* Commercial point, or Tenean, Ward 24.
Commonwealth avenue, in Back Bay Fens.
*CongTess street, over Fort Point Channel.
Cottage-street foot-bridge, over Flats, East Boston.
Providence Railroads.
*Federal street, over Fort Point Channel.
Franklin-street foot-bridge , over Boston &amp; Albany Railroad.
Huntington avenue, over Boston &amp; All^any Railroad.
Ley den street, over Boston, Revere Beach, &amp; Lynn Rail-
Linden Park street, over Stony brook.
*Malden, from Charlestown to Everett.
*Mt. Washington avenue, over Fort Point Channel.
Neptune road, over Boston, Revere Beach, &amp; Lynn Rail-
Public Garden foot-l)ridge.
Swett street, east of New York &amp; New England Railroad.
Swett street, west of New York &amp; New England Railroad.
* Warren, from Boston to Charlestown.
West Rutland square foot-bridge, over Boston &amp; Provi-
Central avenue, from Ward 24 to Milton.
* Chelsea (north), from Charlestown to Chelsea.
*Essex street, from Ward 25 (Brooldine) to Cambridge.
*Granite, from Dorchester, Ward 24, to Milton.
Milton, from Ward 24 to INIilton.
*Neponset, from Ward 24 to Quincy.
*Noi"th Beacon street, from Brighton to Watertown.
*Noi'tli Han-ard street, from Brighton to Cambridge.
Spring street, from West Eoxbury to Dedham.
in. — Bridges of a\tiich Boston pays a Part of the
Dorchester street, over Old Colony Railroad.
*Harvard, from Boston to Cambridge.
1st. — Boston (&amp; Albany Railroad.
Commonwealth avenue, Brighton.
2d. — Boston &amp; Maine Railroad, Western Division.
3d. — Boston &lt;&amp; Maine Railroad, Eastern Division.
4th. — Boston, Revere Beach, &amp; Lynn Railroad.
5th. — JSTew Yorh &amp; New England Railroad.
Dorchester avenue. \
Forest Hills avenue. Ward 24.
6 City Document No. 39.
Washington street, Ward 24.
6th. — Old Colony Railroad.
7th. — Old Colony Railroad, Providence Division.
Beech street, Ward 23.
Canterbury street, Ward 23.
Centre and Mt. Vernon streets. Ward 23.
Park street. Ward 23
I. Number wholly supported by Boston . . .46
n. Number of which Boston supports the part within
its limits ....... 14
of maintenance ...... 6
1 . Boston &amp; Albany ...... 5
2. Boston &amp; Maine, Western Division ... 2
3. " " Eastern Division ... 2
4. Boston, Eevere Beach, &amp; Lynn .... 1
5. New York &amp; New England .... 13
6. Old Colony 5
7. " " Providence Division ... 7
Eepoet of City Engineer. 7
I. — BRIDGES WHOLLY SUPPOETED BY^BOSTON.
Agassiz-eoad Bridge in Back Bay Fens.
This is a new bridge, built in 1887, of brick and stone
masonry, and was opened to the public on Oct. 2, 1888.
It is maintained by the Park Depai-tment, and is in good
Ashland-street Bridge (over Boston &amp; Providence
The present structure is of iron, and was built in 1875.
The iron-work and fences should be painted ; otherwise it is
Athens-street Bridge (over New York &amp; New
England Railroad) .
This is an iron bridge, and'was built in 1874.
It is very rusty ; it should be stripped, painted, and wood-
work renewed.
Beacon-entrance Bridge (in Back Bay Fens, over
Boston &amp; Albany Railroad).
This is an iron bridge, and was built in 1881-82.
It is maintained by the Park Department, and is in good
condition. It has been painted.
Beacon-street Bridge (over Outlet of Back Bay).
This is an iron bridge, built in 1880-81, and is in good
Beacon-street Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
This is an iron bridge; it was built in 1884-85, and was
widened in 1887-88.^
It has been painted, and is in good condition.
Beriveley-street Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
This is an iron Ijridge. It was l)uilt by the Boston Water
Povrer Company, and was accepted by the city in 1869.
/ Slight repairs have been made, but the bridge is on an
8 CiTr DociBiENT No. 39.
important cross street and is not fit for its place. Its construc-
tion is too light, and it should be rebuilt with new al&gt;utments.
Eailroad) .
This is an iron bridge. It was built by the Boston Water
Power Company, and was accepted by the city in. 1869.
It has been sheathed and other slight repairs made. It is in
This is an iron bridge. It was built in 1881-82.
It has been sheathed and painted, and the fences have been
repaired. It is in good condition.
BOLTON-STREET BrIDGE (OVER NeW YoRK &amp; NeAV
England Railroad).
This is a new wooden bridge. (See page 22.)
BOYLSTON-STREET BrIDGE (iN BaCK BaY FeNS).
This is a stone masonry bridge, and it was built in 1881-83.
BOYLSTON-STREET BrIDGE (OVER BoSTON &amp; AlBANY
This is an iron bridge, and it was built in 1886-88.
The iron- work above the floor has been painted. One of
the truss-bars has been injured by being run into by an
electric car. The iron-work under the floor should l^e painted
at once. Painting this bridge above the floor cost $620.69,
and it will cost as much or more to paint the work below
This is an iron bridge. It was built in 1869-71, and the
draw and its foundation were rebuilt in 1874—75.
The entire face of the draw-pier will soon need to be re-
newed. During the past year it was repaired al)ove low tide
level. The two 100-ft. spans and the two 50-ft. spans of
Eepoet of City Engineer. 9
this bridge arc of liglit construction and show great vibration
with quick-moving loads, but the steep grades at the ends
save the In-idge from the heaviest class of teaming.
The tar concrete sidewalks on the tixed part of the bridge
need repairs ; the spruce floor underneath has been laid
twenty years, but it is apparently in good condition, except-
ing at the edges and joints.
Of the three varieties of asphaltic roadway pavement laid
for experimental purposes last year, two have l)een taken
away ; the third has been repaired and is still in use, although
it is in an imperfect condition. That part of the bridge from
Lehigh street to the O. C. R.R. has been painted.
Beoadway Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany Railroad).
This bridge is of iron, was built in 1880-81, and is in good
The iron-work is very rusty under the floor, notwithstand-
ing it was stripped and painted two years ago, and the fences
and all of the iron-work above the deck need painting.
Brookline-a VENUE Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
This bridge is of iron, and was built in 1884. It is in
Byron-street Bridge (over Boston, Revere Beach, &amp;
Lynn Railroad).
* Charles-river Bridge (from Boston to
Charlestowts^.)
This is a wooden pile bridge with an iron draw. The
original bridge was built in 1785-86, the present structure
was built in 1854-55, and the draw was built in 1870. It is
an old bridge, and is in poor condition. The paving is very
poor, and from the construction of the bridge it cannot be
maintained in good condition for any length of time. The
best modern pavements are constructed with a substratum of
cement concrete from six to eight inches thick, while this
bridge and other similar bridges have for a substratum a layer
of marsh mud one foot in thickness. The bridge is heavily
loaded with mud, gravel, and paving, and it also has a
tendency to sag towards the east ; this motion has increased
10 City Document No. 39.
recently, and it will be necessary to cross-l)race the bents of
piles for a considerable portion of the bridge in order to keep
The draw continues to work in a fairly satisfactory man-
ner, the southerly draw-pier needs replanking, and the floor-
timbers of the draw should be repaired next season.
* Chelsea Bridge, South (over South Channel, Mystic
Eiver) .
bridge was built in 1802-3, and the present structure in
A new under-floor of kyanized spruce has been laid on the
greater part of the draw, and some smaller repairs made.
The easterly draw-pier needs replanking ; otherwise the bridge
* Chelsea-street Bridge (from East Boston
TO Chelsea).
This wooden pile bridge was originally built in 1834, and
was rebuilt in 1848 ; the present structure was built in 1873,
and the draw was built in 1868.
This bridge is in bad condition and should be rebuilt. The
limnoria, or small pile- worm, is quite active in this vicinity,
and the draw foundation has been nearly destroyed by it.
The draw itself is a narrow wooden structure (22 feet wide).
It was built in 1868, and has been patched so much that if it
is to be kept in use it will be necessary to take it aljout all
down in order to renew the defective portions. A wooden
draw of this class remains in good condition for about fifteen
years, and after that time can be maintained only by expen-
sive repairs. The part of the bridge between the draw and
Chelsea was burned in 1887, and rebuilt in a temporary man-
ner, and the draw is so low that it will be necessary to raise
the o-rade of the whole brido;e when a new draw is liuilt. /
. CoLmiBUS-A VENUE Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
This is an iron bridge, was originally built in 1865, and
the present structure was built in 1876-77/ The under-floor
of the roadway is not in good condition, and the bridge
should be stripped of wood-work, the iron-work cleaned, care-
fully examined , and painted ; new sidewalks should also be
Keport of City Engineer. 11
The telegraph-pole guys remain attached to the bridge, as
before reported. They should be removed.
*COMMERCIAL-POINT, OR TeNEAN, BrIDGE (WaRD 24).
This is a wooden pile bridge with a wooden leaf draw. It
was originally built in 1833, and the present structure was
built in 1875. It is in fair condition.
C03IM0N^VEALTH-A VENUE BrIDGE (iN BaCK BaY FeNS) .
This is an iron bridge, and it was built in 1881-82. It is
^ *Congress-street Bridge (over Fort Point Channel).
This is a wooden pile bridge with an iron turn-table draw
on a stone masonry foundation. It was built in 1874—75.
On October 9 the draw was temporarily disabled by the
breaking of a 3-inch bolt, one of eight by which the draw is
suspended. The broken bolt caused other damage, which
was so serious as to require the draw to be thrown out of use
for two days, during which time repairs were made.
The machinery for moving the draw requires repairs ; the
fender-guards are in bad condition, and the floor of the fixed
part of the bridge will require patching.
No repairs of importance have been made during the sea-
son excepting those caused by the broken bolt, before men-
* Cottage-street Foot-bridge (over Flats, East
This is a new wooden pile bridge. (See page 23.)
Boston &amp; Providence Kailroads).
-This is an iron bridge ; it was originally built in 1869, and
the present structure was built in 1878-79.
It has been repaired by laying a new urider-floor of kyan-
ized spruce 4 inches thick, and by painting the iron stringers
under the roadway. It is in good condition.
-*Dover-street Bridge (over Fort Point Channel).
This is a wooden pile bridge with a double iron draw ; it
was originally built in 1805, was rebuilt in 1858-59, and
the present structure was built in 1876.
12 City Document No. 39.
The work upon the sides of the water-way, begun in 1888,
has not been completed. It should be done at once. The
sidewalks are in poor condition, and the draws require
new under-floors, and some work must be done to the floor
of the fixed part of the bridge. The draws have been
painted. Only ordinary repairs have been made.
*Federal-street Bridge (over Fort Point Channel).
This is a wooden pile bridge with a double wooden draw ;
it was originally built in 1827-28 ; was rebuilt in 1857-58,
and the present structure was built in 1872-73.
This bridge is in bad condition. A special report was
made in 1888 (Appendix B, Doc. 117, 1888), and the recom-
mendation then made that it be rebuilt. Extensive repairs
were made to the draws ihis year, throwing them out of use
(one at a time) for a ' considerable time, and causing much
complaint. It will soon be necessary to make even more
extensive repairs if the bridge is not rebuilt, and it may even
be found necessary to close it to travel. Practically, the
bridge must either be rebuilt, or it should be closed to travel.
Ferdinant)-street Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
This is an iron bridge. It was built in 1864-65, and was
strengthened in 1877.
It has two iron trusses of an unusual construction. They
are weak, and the bridge was strengthened by adding
to it an iron truss removed from the Columbus-avenue
bridge, when that was rebuilt. The additional truss was
placed in the middle of the roadway, dividing it into two
narrow passages. The floor-beams are light 6-inch iron
I beams encased in wood, and have never been uncovered for
examination. The sidewalk trusses are of wood, and in fair
The northerly approach to the bridge has two deck spans
carried on iron posts, and rolled I beams braced with wood.
There is a wooden bullvhead across the street, and the side
of the street for some distance is supported by a continuation
of this bulkhead.
The bridge is in a dangerous condition, and it should be
Report of City Engineer. 13
, Franklin-street Foot-bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
Thiais an iron brido-e, and was built in 1883. It has been
painted ; the wooden steps are worn, and will soon need re-
newal ; otherwise it is in good condition.
Huntington-avenlt] Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
This is an iron bridge. It was built in 1872, and the
abutments were rebuilt in 1876-77.
The roadways have been sheathed. The water-pipes have
been laid under the sidewalk and between the iron girders,
instead of on the top of the sidewalk, as before. The bridge
Leyden-street Bridge (oater Boston, Revere Beach, &amp;
Lynn Railroad) .
This is a new iron bridge. (See page 23.)
^ Linden Park-street Bridge (over Stony Brook) .
This is a wooden truss bridge, built in 1886. It has been
sheathed and painted, and is in good condition.
-^*Malden Bridge (from Charlestoavtst to Everett) .
The original bridge was built in 1787. The present struc-
ture was Imilt in 1875, and the draw was built in 1872. It
is a pile bridge with a wooden turn-table draw on a pile
foundation. The draw has been repaired and put in safe con-
dition ; the draw and fences have been painted. The draw
is so old that it can be kept in use but a short time longer.
The draw-piers are also old, but are in fair condition. The
fixed part of the bridge is in fair condition.
*Meridian-street Bridge (from East Boston to
This is a wooden pile bridge with a wooden turn-table
in 1856. It was rel)uilt soon afterwards ; it was widened
and rebuilt as at present in 1884, excepting the draw, which
was built in 1875-76.
A new upper and under track and new wheels have been
furnished for the draw, and a number of the angle-blocks
14 City Document No. 39.
renewed in the main trusses. The draw is old, and will
require further repairs during the coming year. The fixed
part of the bridge is in good condition.
*Mt. Washington- a venue Bridge (over Fort Point
built in 1854, and was rebuilt in 1870-71.
The draw has been painted. The sidewalks on the fixed
part of the bridge are in poor condition. The draw needs
raising on its centre in order to relieve the wheels from ex-
cessive weight. With these exceptions the bridge is in good
Neptune-road Bridge (over Revere Beach &amp; Lynn
Railroad in East Boston).
This is an iron bridge, and it was built in 1887-88.
Newton-street Bridge (over Boston &amp; Providence
This is an iron bridge, and was built in 1872.
It is in fair condition. It should be stripped of wood-
work, so as to allow of a careful examination of the iron-
work. The under-floor was laid in 1878.
This is an iron bridge. It was built in 1867, and was
thoroughly repaired in 1887.
It is in o-ood condition.
Sha^ymut-a venue Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
This is an iron bridge, and it was built in 1871.
This bridge has been stripped of wood-work, with the
exception of the westerly sidewalk, which was nearly all
renewed in 1888. The iron-work was cleaned and painted.
The span over the main tracks is considerably wasted by
corrosion ; some of the cross-braces, which are the smallest of
the pieces of iron exposed on all sides, are entirely gone, but
enough of them remain for safety. This span is safe for the
present, and may last five years longer. The remaining span,
Eeport of City Engineer. 15
over the tracks used for the storage of passenger cars, is in
good condition. The lower floor of the whole bridge was
relaid with kyanized spruce, and one sidewalk was newly
SWETT-STREET BRIDGES (OVER SoUTH BaY SlUICES) .
These are wooden bridges, and were built in 1875.
The easterly bridge will need sheathing next season ; the
westerly bridge has been put in good order. The abutments
of both of these bridges are spruce pile bulkheads, and are
m bad condition, and it will be necessary to make extensive
repairs on them. The railings of both bridges have been
*Warren Bridge (from Boston to Charlestown).
This is a wooden pile bridge with an iron draw ; it was
originally built in 1828, and the present structure was built
in 1883-84. ^
But few re'pairs were required during the past year, and
the bridge is in good order. Two new water-pipe siphons
have been laid across the channel, and a 16-in. and a 30-in.
water-pipe have been laid across the bridge under the
westerly sidewalk, excepting for a short distance near the
Boston end, where they are laid under the roadway.
This is an iron In-idge, and was built in 1876.
It has been stripped of its wood-work, has been painted,
and the wood-work renewed. The objectionable curve in
the profile of the bridge has not been changed. It is in
This is an iron bridge, and it was built in 1876.
Only the ordinary repairs have been required, and the
West Rutland-square Foot-bridge (over Boston &amp;
Providence Railroad).
This is an iron bridge ; it was 1:&gt;uilt in 1882, and is in good
16 City Docujient No. 39.
This is a pile bridge without a draw ; it was originally
built in 1839, was rebuilt in 1851, and was extensively re-
paired in 1870.
It has been strengthened at a point where a pile was found
to be almost eaten off by the limnoria. The fences have been
repaired and the sheathing patched. The bridge is old and
poor, and will last but a few years longer. There seems to
be no reason why nearly the entire length of it cannot be
filled solid at a moderate expense, and without damage to
*Cajmbridge-street Bridge (from Brighton to
Caivibridge).
It was rebuilt in 1884. It has been painted ; the draw-pier
needs replanking ; otherwise the bridge is in good condition.
The cal)les of the West End Street Railway Company, for
carrying the power from their Allston power-station to Cam-
bridge, cross this bridge, and a small cable-house has been
built on the draw-pier.
This is an iron bridge, and was built in 1876.
The sidewalks are poor, and the under-floor is in poor
condition. The bridge should he stripped, the wood-work
renewed throughout, and the iron-work painted. The iron-
work, being over fresh- water, is in good condition.
*Chelsea Bridge, North (from Mystic-river Corpora-
tion Wharf to Chelsea).
The original structure was built in 1802-3 ; the present
structure was built in 1880, except the draw, which was built
The draw is old and in poor condition, and will require
extensive repairs. The bridge near the draw will also re-
quire some repairs ; but for most of its length it is in good
REroRT OF City Engineer. 17
*ESSEX-STREET BrIDGE (fROM BRIGHTON TO CAMBRIDGE ) .
This is a wooden pile bridge with a wooden leaf draw,
and was originally built in 1850.
Only slight repairs have been made ; the widening of
Commonwealth avenue and the widening of the water-ways,
as required by the Legislature, would seem to be sufficient
reasons for the construction of a new bridge in place of the
present one, especially as it is old and poor.
*Granite Bridge (from Ward 24 to Milton) .
This bridge was originally built in 1837. It is a wooden
pile bridge with a wooden leaf draw.
The water-way has been widened from 31 feet to 36 feet,
in the clear. The draw is a new one, of the same type as
the former one ; namely, a wooden leaf or lifting draw, raised
by hand-power. The cut for widening was made on the
Boston side of the bridge, and no work was done except such
as was required to carry out the order of the Legislature
under which it was done ; namely, to widen the passageway
for vessels to 36 feet. The work was done by the city of
Boston, the town of Milton paying two-thirds the cost. A
contract was made with Mr. George H. Cavanagh for the
whole work for $3,975. Foi-ty-nine oak piles, in good con-
dition, drawn up from Neponset bridge, and which were too
short for use in that bridge, were used here, thus reducing
the cost to the city of Boston by $300. The total cost of the
work to the city of Boston, including inspection, was
$1,085.08.
Longwood-a VENUE Bridge (from Ward 22 to
Brookline).
The present structure was built in 1877. This is a wooden
bridge on wooden posts set in the ground.
It is in fair condition. The portion maintained by Boston,
being at the foot of a hill, is usually in bad condition, on ac-
count of the mud and dirt washed upon it by rains.
This is an iron bridge, and is in bad condition ; the abut-
ments and centre pier are very poor ; the iron-work is too
light, and is very rusty. The wood-work is very old and
poor, and the bridge is below the grade of its approaches.
It is a small bridge of two short spans, and its safety is
only assured by a few large sticks of timber under the road-
18 City Document No. 39.
way, which were put in a few years ago. One-half of the
bridge is maintained by the town of Milton. The bridge
should be rebuilt at once.
Milton Bridge (from Ward 24 to Milton) .
The original structure is very old ; it was widened in
1871-72. The older part of this bridge was built of stone,
and the widening is an iron structure on stone columns. No
repairs of consequence have been made during the past
season. It should be thoroughly overhauled and repaired
this season. The stone-work of the old part of the bridge
The original structure was built in 1802 ; the present
structure in 1877. This bridge is a wooden pile bridge with
an iron leaf draw ; both leaves of the draw are maintained
by Boston. The passageway for vessels has been widened
from 31 feet to 36 feet. The leaves of the old draw were
each lengthened 2 feet, new foundation piles and timber
were provided, and the bridge presents the same general
appearance as formerly. The work was done by contract by
John N. Hayes &amp; Co., and the total cost, including inspec-
tion, was $6,912.33. The fixed part of the bridge was not
changed, and the piers remain as before, excepting the
parts renewed and replaced at the time of widening. The
*NoRTH Beacon-street Bridge (from Brighton to
Watertoavt^) .
The original structure was built in 1822, and the present
structure in 1884.
The roadway has been sheathed. The bridge is in good
*NoRTH Harvard-street Bridge (from Brighton to
Cambridge) .
This bridge was originally built in 1662, and was rebuilt
It has been painted. The abutment maintained by Boston
is in poor condition ; the draw-pier is in poor condition, and
is placed at such an angle as to obstruct the use of the
Report of City Engineer. 19
present width of the draw. When the water-way is widened
it will be necessary to rebuild the pier.
Spring-street Bridge (from Ward 23 to Dediiam).
This is a stone bridge, and it is in good condition.
*Western-avenue Bridge (from Brighton to
The original structure was built in 1824 ; the present
structure was built in 1879-80.
*Western-a VENUE Bridge (from Brighton to
Watertown) .
This is a wooden pile bridge. It was built in 1824, the
present draw was built in 1883, and the abutment was re-
The draw-pier has been repaired ; the bridge is in good
III. — BRIDGES OF WHICH BOSTON PAYS A PART
OF THE COST OF MAINTENANCE.
Albany-street Bridge (over Boston &amp; Albany
The original structure was built in 1856-57 ; was rebuilt
in 1867-68, and again in 1886-87.
It is an iron bridge ; it has been sheathed, and is in
*Canal Bridge (from Boston to Cambridge).
*Prison-point Bridge (from Charlesto^vn to
*West Boston Bridge (from Boston to Cambridge).
These bridges are in the care of two commissioners, ap-
pointed, one from Boston and one from Cambridge, and the
expense of maintenance is borne equally l)y each city. The
Boston Commissioner makes an annual report in print. (See
City Doc. 20, 1890.)
20 City Document No. 39.
Canal bridge is a wooden pile bridge with a wooden turn-
table draw. The bridge was originally built in 1808 ; was
rebuilt in 1852, and again rebuilt and widened in 1874 ;
some of the piles in this bridge date from 1808. It has
been repaired by driving new piles, and by strengthening the
sides of the water-way, and by adding new girder-caps to
the piles at the Boston end. The draw and engine-house
have been painted, and considerable paving has been done.
The roadway is in poor condition ; the floor should be
examined, and nearly the whole bridge repaved. The piling
at both ends of the bridge (the central part was rebuilt in
1874) is in poor condition, and repairs are needed upon it
every year. The wooden draw is in fair condition, Imt is
sixteen years old, and will consequently need constant
repairs to keep it in use hereafter.
Prison-point bridge was originally built in 1833, and the
present structure was built in 1876-77. It is a wooden pile
bridge with an iron leaf draw.
The wood-work on the draw has been renewed, and the ma-
chinery for hoisting it is in process of repair. The bridge is
West Boston bridge was built in 1792-93, was rebuilt in
1854, and repaired in 1871 ; the draw was rebuilt in 1875,
and the down-stream sidewalk on the Camljridge side of the
draw was rebuilt in 1886. It is a Avooden pile bridge with a
wooden turn-talile draw.
The piles under the main roadway have been strengthened
by adding new girder-caps, and part of the roadway has been
repaved. Repairs have also been made to the draw. It will
be necessary to rebuild the up-stream sidewalk from the draw
to Cambridge at an early day.
As a whole the bridge is old, narrow, and poor. It is no
wider than it was in 1854, and the travel over it has greatly
changed and increased, and is now very large. The draw,
built in 1875, has almost reached the limit of life for a wooden
structure of its character. It will be necessary to rebuild the
entire bridge before many years.
Dorchester-street Bridge (over Old Colony
This is an iron In-idge ; it was built in 1869.
The recommendation made last year is renewed. It is
known to he in poor condition, and it should be stripped of
wood- work to allow the condition of the iron-work to be more
clearly ascertained than can be done otherwise.
Report of City Engineer. 21
*Harvard Bridge (froji Boston to Cambridge).
This is still in the hands of the Commissioners, but is prac-
IV. — BRIDGES SUPPORTED BY RAILROADS.
Tremont-street bridge, over the B. &amp; A. R.R., is now be-
ing rebuilt by the Boston &amp; Albany Railroad Corporation,
and the Washington-street bridge, over the same road, is to
be rebuilt at once by the same corporation. The bridges
over the Eastern and Western divisions of the Boston &amp; Maine
Railroad on Main street and Mystic avenue, Charlestown,
are in poor condition. The two Norfolk-street bridges in
Dorchester, over the N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R., need attention;
the trusses are boxed in and their condition cannot be deter-
mined, liut enough can be seen to show that they need ex-
amination and adjustment. The walls of the South Boston
cut on the same road, which also form the abutments of seve-
ral bridges, are in poor condition.
The other bridges given in the list of those supported by
railroad corporations require no special mention.
LIFE OF BRIDGES OVER RAILROADS.
The preservation of iron-work exposed to the sulphurous
gases contained in the smoke from locomotives is a problem
which has not yet been satisfactorily solved.
Linseed-oil paints do not form a perfect protection to the
iron where there is much traffic under the bridge, especially
where the distance from bridge to railroad tracks is but
fifteen feet, as is the case with most of our bridges ; the gases
in the smoke easily destroy these paints, and expose the
iron to corrosion and rust. Of the oil paints yet used, red-
lead, properly applied, has thus far given the best results.
The painting of the iron-work under the flooring of a
bridge is often inefficiently done, and is expensive and
dangerous work to do. To thoroughly examine and paint
the iron-work below the flooring of a bridge it is necessary
to remove the floor planking, and unless the planking needs
renewing, this is expensive and inconvenient. Untreated
spiiice planking will need renewing at intervals of about four
years, and it is hoped that some paint or coating for practical
use will soon be discovered which will protect the iron for
at least this time, so that the use of such paint at the time of
laying the flooring will aflbrd protection to the iron until the
floor is renewed.
22 City Document No. 39.
Until such paint is found, tlie yearly painting of iron-
work exposed to engine-smoke should be continued, as being
the best method of partial protection at hand.
MISCELLANEOUS WORK AND CONSTRUCTION
•IN 1889.
BoLTON-STREET Bridge (over N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R.).
This is a small wooden bridge, 28 feet clear span and
20 feet wide, built over the South Boston cut of the New
York &amp; New England Railroad. It is a platform of hard-
pine stringers covered with spruce plank, and was built by
Joseph Shaw, from designs prepared by this department, at
a cost of $850.14. By agreement with the railroad corpora-
tion the City of Boston builds and maintains the bridge at a
grade of 15 feet above the tracks, and agrees to become re-
sponsible for all accidents of whatever nature, and to remove
the bridge whenever required to do so by the railroad.
^ Byron-street Bridge (over B., R. B., &amp; L. R.R.).
' At the request of the Superintendent of Streets, plans and
specifications were prepared for this bridge, and a contract
for building the same was entered into with Josiah Shaw,
Aug. 13, 1889.
This structure supersedes a narrow wooden bridge built
by the railroad company at the time its road was constructed.
The width of the bridge is 40 feet, divided into one 30-foot
roadway and two 5-foot sidewalks.
The total leng-th of the l)ridge is about 79 feet, and com-
prises three spans, the middle span over the tracks being
32 feet 8 inches from centre to centre of trestle bents, and
the end spans, over the side slopes of the railroad cut, being
about 20 feet and 25 feet span respectively.
The end spans have seven lines of hard-pine beams, each
beam being made up of two 7-inch x 14-inch sticks bolted
together. The beams of the middle span are each made of
two 6-inch X 12-inch sticks, trussed by a l|-inch diameter
iron rod. The end supports for the bridge consist of timber
bulkheads, and the two intermediate supports are trestle
bents of hard-pine timber, resting on rul)ble-masonry walls,
which are built high enough to hold the side slopes of the
The roadway planking is of spruce, the under course
being four inches thick and the upper or sheathing course
Report of City Engineer. 23
hoing two inches thick. The sidewalk is planked with 3-inch
planed hard-pine.
The stone w^alls before mentioned were not included in
the original design, but were built by the railroad company,
under an agreement with the contractor and the city, the
work being supervised by this department. No settlement
with the railroad company has yet been made.
The cost of the bridge, not including un})aid claim of
railroad company, was $3,593.
COMMONWEALTII-A VENUE WIDENING.
A contract was drawn for the filling of Commonwealth
avenue an additional width of one hundred feet, from Beacon
street to Cousens' wharf, the distance being about 3,600 feet.
The ground to be covered by the widening has l)een cross-
sectioned, and approximate estimates of the quantity of filling
deposited have been made, from time to time, as requested
by the Superintendent of Streets. Plans and specifications
were prepared for two Ijulkheads across creeks, on the outer
line of the widening, and their construction supervised.
These bulkheads were respectively 230 feet and 620 feet
long. They w^ere built by John T. Scully, at a cost of
CoTTAGE-STREET FOOT-BRIDGE.
1^ This bridge is for foot travel only, and is built on the line
of Cottage street. East Boston, from Maverick street across
the flats to Prescott street, a distance of 3,546 feet. Its
The bridge is built with spruce piles, stringer and plank,
and hard-pine fence posts. The work was done by Josiah
Shaw and Horace Sias, and cost $11,154.67.
Granite Curbing, City Square.
Plans and specifications for a granite curbing around a
grass plot at City square, Chaiiestown, were made, and the
work supervised. The curbing was furnished and set by John
Turner &amp; Co., at a cost of $588.
L-street Bulkhead.
Plans and specifications were made for a wooden bulkhead,
which has been built on the line of L-street extension. South
Boston. The work was done by Josiah Shaw, and cost
$5,356.03.
24 City Document No. 39.
/Letden-street Bridge (over B.,E.B., &amp; L. E.R.).
The bridge was built by this department, in accordance
with an order of the City Council, approved Jan. 26, 1889.
The clear span at right angles to railroad tracks was fixed
by the railroad company at 35 feet, and both abutments of
the bridge are practically within the railroad location.
The abutments are built of granite, with the exception of
their foundation courses, which are made of cement concrete .^
The main walls of the abutments are of rul)ble masonry,
laid in cement mortar ; the front of the walls showing quarry-
faced, straight-split stones, in courses of nearly even rise.
The bridge seats and parapets are rough pointed. The ex-
treme length of each abutment is 139 feet.
The superstructure is a thorough plate-girder bridge, with
two main girders placed on outside lines of bridge, and 36
feet apart on centres. These girders are 68 feet long over all,
and 5 feet deep from out to out of flange angle-irons. Floor-
beams are built iron girders, and the lateral s^^stem is made
of angle-irons and rods.
The bridge has one roadway 26 feet wide, and two side-
walks, each 5 feet wide.
The roadway and sidewalk stringers are of hard-pine, the
under-floor of roadway is 4-inch thick spruce, and the upper
course of plank is 2-inch spruce, planed to an even thickness
and laid diagonally. The sidewalk plank is 2-inch white-
pine, planed and jointed.
The iron-work below floor level, including inside faces of
main girders, is painted with two coats of "P. &amp; B. paint."
The contract for the abutments was awarded to Turnbull
&amp; Cheney, who afterward assigned the same to D. Henry
Cram, by whom the work was completed.
The superstructure was built by the King Iron Bridge &amp;
Manufacturing Company, of Cleveland, O., from plans fur-
nished by this department.
The total expenditure for the work by this department was
$15,819.55.
Walks in Common and Squares.
The work of laying walks with Hastings' Compressed
Asphalt Tiles, for the Department of Common and Public
Grounds, has been supervised in three localities. The work
was done by John Turner &amp; Co., and the cost was as fol-
l" ° ■ " " " ;
_j^pv •»}fi/'T!j,
Leyden Street Bridge
BOSTON, REVERE BEACH AND LYNN RAILROAD.
Winthrop square, Charlestown . . . . $356 00
Boston Common 5,700 00
Belmont square. East Boston .... 1,300 00
Other work of a miscellaneous character was principally
For water-pipes on Huntington-ave. bridge.
For Gold-st. foot-bridge.
For sidewalk curb at New Court-house.
For foundation for statue of Colonel Cass.
For retaining-wall on 30-foot street at Harvard bridge.
For retaining-wall for East Boston ferries.
For bulkhead on Bothnia street.
For Gold-st. foot-brido;e.
For Northern avenue or Oliver-street bridge.
For bridge over Reserved channel, on line of Congress and
For retaining-wall and filling for extension of L street to
Resei-ved channel.
Reports were made to the Superintendent of Sewers on
the condition of a retaining-wall at Dorchester-ave. bridge,
over the N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R. ; and to the Superintendent of
Common and Public Grounds, on the condition and merits of
certain concrete foot-paths on Telegraph Hill, South Boston.
The wall above referred to has since been rebuilt by the rail-
road company at its own expense.
A large amount of work of a miscellaneous character has
also been done during the year. Under this head may be
classed record-plans, maps for Water- Works and Park De-
partment, copying, tracing, and blue-printing plans.
26 City Document No. 39.
B. — WATER WORKS.
[FROM THE CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT TO THE BOSTON
WATER BOARD.]
The rainfall was above the average during the-'past"year,
and was so evenly distributed that there has been an abun-
dant supply of water at all times.
The rainfall and quantities collected on the several water-
sheds are as follows : —
Rainfall, inches, 49.95
Rainfall collected, inches, 29.056
gallons, 104,030,000
The quality of the water fi'om the Sudbury and Cochituate
supplies has been good, and no trouble has been experienced
fiom algse.
The quality of the Mystic water appeared to be better than
usual, probably owing to the large rainfall of the last two
The fluctuations in the amount of storage in the different
lakes and reservoirs are shown graphically by an appended
diagram. The condition of the different reservoirs during
Reservoir iVb. 1. — Water was wasting at the outlet dam
during the whole year, with the exception of from May 10
to 20, and June 13 to 16. The reason no water was wasted
during these two periods was, that the flash-boards were placed
on the dams.
Reservoir JVb. 2. — This reservoir has been full the greater
part of the year ; the lowest point reached being on Novem-
ber 2, when the water stood at grade 159.38, or 6.51 feet
below the crest of the dam.
Report of City Engineer. 27
Resei'voir JSTo. 3. — This reservoir has been full and over-
flowing all the year, with the exception of nine days in
September, of seven days in October, and of one day in
November. The lowest point reached during the year was
on September 30, when the surface of the water stood at
grade 174.80, or 0.45 feet below the crest of the dam.
Resei^oir iVo. 4. — This reservoir has been kept at or
near high-water mark during the whole year. The lowest
point reached being on May 15, when the surface of the
water was at grade 214.37, or 0.84 feet below the top of the
flash-boards.
Farm Pond. — The surface of the pond has been kept at
an average level of 149.44 feet above tide-marsh level.
The conduit through the pond has been used during the
whole year. No water was used from this pond during
the year, on account of the fear that there might be dan-
ger from the Framingham drainage.
The Framingham Water Company has pumped 59,500,000
gallons from the pond, or an average of 163,000 gallons per
Lake Cochituate. — Water was wasting at the outlet dam
during the greater part of January, February, and March ;
also from May 23 to 26, June 3 to 6, and August 3 to 26.
The water in the lake was drawn down about three and
one-half feet in August, to allow work to be begun on the
new outlet dam.
A contract for the building of the dam was made with
Thomas A. Rowe, on August 17. Work began immediately,
and continued until December 23. The portion of the work
below the original surface is so far completed that the dam
can be easily finished next season, all the difiicult work being
The heights of water in the various storage resei^voirs on
the first day of each month are given on next page.
City Document No. 39.
COCHITU-
IVo. 4.
149.25.
Mayl, "
Julyl, "
September 1,"
November 1,"
Water has been drawn from the different reservoirs in the
Sudbury river to supply the city as follows : —
Reservoirs JVb. 1 and No. 2.
May 5 to May 17.
Reservoir JSfo. 2.
Jan. 14 to Jan. 18.
May 18 to Aug. 4.
Aug. 6 to Aug. 11.
Aug. 13 to Aug. 19.
Aug. 29 to Sept. 2.
Sept. 6 to Sept. 7.
Dec. 24 to Dec. 30.
Reservoirs JSTo
. 2 and No. 3.
Jan. 1 to Jan. 6.
Nov. 9 to Nov. 11.
Jan. 9 to Jan. 10.
Nov. 15 to Nov. 18.
Jan. 12 to Jan. 13.
Nov. 22 to Nov. 25.
Jan. 19 to April 25.
Dec. 6 to Dec. 9.
Oct. 18 to Oct. 21.
Dec. 13 to Dec. 16.
Oct. 25 to Oct. 28.
Dec. 20 to Dec. 23.
Nov. 1 to Nov. 2.
Reservoir No. 3.
Sept. 12 to Sept.
Sept. 20 to Sept.
Sept. 28 to Sept.
Oct. 2 to Oct. 7.
Oct. 11 to Oct. 14.
Nov. 3 to Nov. 5.
The Sudbmy-river aqueduct has been in use during the
whole or portions of 302 days, and the Cochituate aqueduct
has been used 361 days.
During the last five months of the year the Sudbury con-
duit was used intermittingly, to allow the work of lining the
Beacon-street tunnel to be done. Water was usually run
through the conduit on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays,
the work of lining being done during the balance of the week.
The Sudbury conduit has delivered into Chestnut-Hill and
Brookline resem^oirs 6,130,500,000 gallons, equal to a daily
supply of 16,796,000 gallons; and the Cochituate aqueduct
has delivered 5,570,424,000 gallons, or 15,261,000 gallons
Both aqueducts have been cleaned during the year. The
details of this work will be seen in the report of the Superin-
tendent of the Western Division. In the Cochituate aque-
duct a flow 6 feet in depth was maintained until August 1,
and from that date the depth was increased to 6^ feet.
The Chestnut-Hill, Brookline, Fisher-Hill, Parker-Hill,
and East Boston reservoirs are in good condition. Parker-
Hill reservoir was shut off from January 9 to October 16, and
from November 1 to the present time.
The l)uildings at the Chestnut-Hill pumping-station were
completed early in the year, and the grounds were graded
An electric-lighting plant of 108 incandescent lights was
placed in the building during the past summer, which thor-
oughly lights all portions of the main building, the biolog-
ical laboratory, and the stable.
The dynamo and lights were furnished by the Standard
Electric Company, of Vermont.
The power is furnished by a 12-horse power Paine engine,
which takes steam from the main boilers.
In the basement a lathe, planer, drill, emery-wheel, and
grindstone have been set up, the power for nmning them
being supplied by a water motor. A good set of carpenters'
and machinists' tools has also been furnished, and the ordi-
nary repairs on the pumping-plant are made by the regular
force, with the least possible expense.
The pumping-engines are kept in good condition. Inde-
pendent jacket-pumps, furnished by H. R. Worthington,
have been attached to each engine, and by this arrangement
all the steam used in the jackets of the steam cylinders is
returned to the boilers, whether the pumping-engines are
Air chambers have been placed on the suction-pipes of
both pumps, and several minor changes and repairs have been
made by the regular force of engineers at the station.
An attachment for admitting air to the furnace at the
bridge- wall, known as "Jones' economic furnace," was placed
under each boiler, and put into operation on October 1.
The greater portion of the soot which formerly collected in
the flues is now con.sumed, and the evaporation of water by
the boilers per pound of coal burned seems to have been
increased by this appliance.
The amounts of water pumped at the Chestnut-Hill pump-
ing-station,andthe percentage of increase over the correspond-
incr months in 1888, are as follows : —
amount pumped.
174,117,800
170,303,500
177,191,750
162,530,250
183,062,250
183,873,500
187,811,750
188,040,100
189,435,725
182,895,575
169,846,250
174,817,300
6,082,300
5,905,200
•6,129,100
6,058,400
Total and average . . .
2,143,925,750
Several large districts, formerly supplied from the low
service, were connected with the high service in June, 1888 ;
consequently the percentage of increase shown for the first
Report of City Engineer. 31
half of 1889 is larger than it should be expected to be in the
future. The average increase during the last half of this
year, when the districts supplied practically corresponded
with that supplied during the corresponding months of the
previous year, was 11.4 per cent.
The season was, however, very favorable for a small con-
sumption of water during this latter part of the year, and the
increase of 11.4 per cent, is probably too small for estimat-
ing the probable increase for future years. I think that 13
per cent, would be more nearly correct to use.
Upon this basis the average consumption will exceed the
capacity of one of the pumping-engines within two and one-
half years, and arrangements have consequently been made
for procuring a third pumping-engine.
The table on page 42 shows the work done by the pump-
ing-engines during the year.
Engine No. 1 was in use 3,616 hours,
pumping 1,223,540,500 galls.
Engine No. 2 was in use 2,785 hours,
45 minutes, pumping . . . 920,385,250 "
Total amount pumped . . . 2,143,925,750 "
Total amount coal consumed . . 2,462,751 lbs.
Per cent, ashes and clinkers . . 7.9
Average lift in feet . . . . 123.21
Quantity pumped per lb. of coal . 870.5 galls.
Daily average amount pumped . . 5,873,700 "
The duty of the engines is calculated after deducting 2^
per cent, from the theoretical displacement of the plungers
for slip, and with no credit given the engines for the large
amount of steam used to heat and light the pumping-station
and adjacent buildings, and corrected duties, are also shown
in the tables. The exact amount of steam used for heating
the building was shown by a meter ; the amount of coal used
to run the dynamo was assumed, after making calcula-
tions and experiments, to be 30 pounds of coal per hour of
Salaries $9,488 99
5,465 70
$16,844 44
Oil, waste, and packing
32 City Document No. 39.
Cost per million gallons raised one foot high, 6.37 cents.
Cost per million gallons pumped to reservoir, $7.86.
The above includes the cost of heating and lighting.
At the West Koxbury pumping-station 12,903,700 gal-
lons have been pumped, equivalent to a daily average of
35,350 gallons, or a decrease of 12.9 per cent, from
the amount pumped in 1888. This decrease was owing to
the mild winter, a smaller amount than usual being allowed
to run back into the main high service, to prevent the freez-
ing of the pipe over Park-street bridge.
The grounds around the Bellevue tower have been graded,
and a roadway built.
The new pumping-station in East Boston has been com-
pleted, and is now in running order.
Breed's Island has been supplied with water from the new
supplementary high service since August 28th, and an obser-
vatory tower, similar to the one on Bellevue hill, has been
built over the tank. The height of water in the tank is indi-
cated and recorded at the pumping-station, 11,000 feet dis-
tant, by an electrical gauge and indicator, made by George
E. Winslow, of Waltham.
No water has been pumped into the East Boston reservoir
during the year, since the increased head, due to the 24-
inch main laid in 1888, enables the reservoir to be filled dur-
ing the night without the aid of the pumps.
This condition will continue, excepting during unusually cold
weather, or while one of the mains may be temporarily shut
About 7,000 gallons per day are pumped into the tower on
Breed's Island.
The surface of the lake has been kept in the vicinity of
high-water mark during the greater part of the year, and
water was wasted over the dam on 299 days. In November
the lake was lowered to about four feet below high-water
mark, so that the rip-rap on a portion of the dam between
the overflow and the gate-house could be repaired.
The yield of the water-shed is shown on page 41.
The works for the purification of the sewage have been in
successful operation during the year. The total amount
pumped and treated was 99,882,850 gallons, or 324,000 gal-
lons per day, exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays, when
the pumps are not run.
Report of City Engineer. 33
Four hundred and four thousand two hundred and seventy
pounds of sulphate of alumina have been used in purifying
the sewage, and 162 tons of coal were used in pumping.
The cost of pumping and treating the sewage was $152.46
per million gallons treated. This price does not include
extra work about the grounds, or the care of the main sewer
Mystic Conduit and Eeservoir.
The conduit has been cleaned twice during the year, and
is in good condition. The north-eastern division of the
reservoir should be cleaned during the coming year, and
such repairs made as are found to be necessary.
Mystic Puiviping-Station.
The 8,000,000-gallon pump was overhauled during the
year, and was fitted with new valve-rods. It is now in
An independent air-pump and condenser has been con-
tracted for, to connect with the two 5,000,000-gallon pumps,
their old air-pumps being worn out. By this improvement the
efficiency of these two pumps will be considerably increased.
The four boilers that were erected in 1872 are to be re-
placed by three new boilers during the coming summer.
A lathe, driven by a Tuerk water-motor, has been placed
in the basement of the engine-room, and has proved to be
of great assistance in making repairs to the pumps.
The table on page 43 shows the work done by the pump-
Engine No. 1 was In use 424 hours, 45 minutes pumping 75,182,900 gallons.
" 2 " " 1,224 " 30 " " 233,128,900
" " 3 " " 7,993 " 30 " " 2,549,657,600
Total amount pumped 2,857,969,400
Total amount of coal consumed, 6,286,000 lbs.
Percentage ashes and clinkers, 8.
Average lift in feet, 146.51.
Quantity pumped per pound of coal, 454.7 gallons.
Average duty of engines per 100 lbs. of coal, no deductions, 55,554,200 ft. -lbs.
Daily average amount pumped, 7,830,000 gallons.
$9,922 08
14,262 93
690 ^Q
Total $25,406 10
Cost per million gallons raised one foot high . . $0.0607
" " " " pumped to reservoir . 8.89
The daily average consumption from the combined works,
and the consumption compared with that of 1888, has been
COCHITUATE WOBKS.
Combined Supply.
35,855,200
30,814,500
32,719,500
33,377,900
31,870,300
31,403,200
31,722,800
31,702,200
9,073,600
7,537,600
7,185,700
8,315,600
7,473,200
37,941,500
44,928,800
39,717,600
38,000,200
40,383,100
40,185,900
39,688,800
39,329,700
38,849,100
39,302,200
39,900,500
The daily average consumption per head of population has
Sudbury and Cochituate supply .
Mystic supply ....
82.7 gallons.
The above figures show a decrease of 3.7 per cent, in the
consumption from the Sudbury and Cochituate works from
that of the previous year ; of 5.2 per cent, in the consump-
tion from the Mystic works ; and of 4 per cent, decrease in
the consumption from the combined supplies.
The follo^ying■ changes were made in the distribution sys-
tem during the year : —
Sudbury and Cochituate Works.
Mystic Works in Charlestown.
Total length laid
Length abandoned.
abandonted.
The total length of pipe laid on the Sudbury and Cochit-
uate works was 25.3 miles, and 2.3 miles have been aban-
doned, making a net increase of twenty-three miles in the
total length in use. On the Mystic works in Charlestown
the mains were extended 569 feet ; 1,919 feet of 2-inch service-
pipes were relaid with 4 and 6 inch main pipes, and 8,506
feet of 4, 6, and 8 inch wrought-iron and cement pipes were
replaced with cast-iron pipe.
The 30 and 16 inch mains, which were partly laid in 1888
to connect Charlestown with the Cochituate supply, were
completed in December, by laying them across Warren bridge,
siphons being placed under the channel at the draw-opening.
The siphons consist, one of a 20-inch pipe, and the other of a
30-inch pipe, encased in a substantial box, made of hard pine,
with the space between the pipe and the sides of the box
filled with hydraulic cement-concrete. The siphon was so
placed that in the channel the top of the box would be twenty-
three feet below mean low water, being three feet lower than
the 24-inch siphon that was laid on the other side of the bridge
in 1883. The contract for building and lowering these
siphons was awarded to John Cavanagh &amp; Co., for $14,700.
The method formerly employed for lowering siphons simi-
lar to these usually closed the river to navigation for at least
three days. Before advertising for proposals for building
36 City Document No. 39.
these siphons the subject of lowering them was carefully
studied in consultation with Mr. Francis Low and Mr. John
Cavanagh, with the result that the length of time during which
navigation should be delayed by the lowering of each siphon
was limited to twenty-four hours, and the specifications pro-
vided that only approved methods should be employed for
lowering them. The method employed by the successful bid-
ders was as follows : —
The siphons were partially built on the shore of Chelsea
creek, nearly three miles from Warren bridge. After they
were so far finished that when in place the arms would be
above mean low water, they were moved on rolls to a
point on the beach just above low water, and were then
raised to a vertical position by means of screws. Each siphon
was moved and placed separately. Two long and narrow
scows were procured, one of which was secured to each side of
the siphon, so as to float the siphon at flood-tide. The scows
and suspended siphon were then towed through three draw-
bridges to a point above Warren bridge. The scows were
then changed fi-om the sides of the siphon to positions be-
tween the vertical arms of the siphon, and the siphon was
then floated over its final position at high water. The lower-
ing into place was done by means of screws, assisted by the
falling tide, and the channel was obstructed only during the
ebbing of one tide for about six hours.
The 30-inch siphon was lowered on November 14 and the
20-inch on November 23. The illustration on opposite page
shows the 30-inch siphon ready for lowering into place.
The beds for the siphons had to be dredged at least 10 feet
below the bottom of the channel, and it was necessary to re-
move large portions of the draw-pier and wharf to accom-
modate the dredger. The 30 and 16 inch pipes were laid
under the bridge and upon the draw-pier and wharf. The
boxes to enclose and support the pipes were built by J. N.
Hayes &amp; Co., the greater portion of it by contract and a
small portion by day's work. This work will be completed
The laying of these pipes completes the " Connection with
Charlestown" and "New Main to East Boston," which were
begun in 1887 ; and Charlestown can now be supplied with
water from both the low and high Sudbury and Cochituate
services, if any emergency should arise in connection with
the Mystic supply.
A 20-inch high-service main was laid from Parker-Hill
reservoir to Boston Common, a distance of 15,948 feet. A
right of way, 400 feet long and 10 feet wide, was secured
through land of Franklin Dexter on Parker Hill, between
Report of City Engineer. 37
Parker Hill avenue and Hillside street. This shortened the
length of the pipe line about 1,200 feet from that originally
estimated upon, and was secured without any expense to the
city. The main is laid over the Boston and Albany railroad
at Huntington-avenue bridge, a wrought-iron pipe being used
at that point ; and the 16-ineh low-service pipe, formerly
laid upon the sidewalk of that bridge, was replaced by a
wrought-iron pipe, both pipes being laid below the floor of
Considerable delay was experienced in procuring the
wrought-iron pipes ; but water will be let into the pipe by
the middle of the present month. This main will increase
the pressure on the pipes near Beacon HjII about 10 pounds
during the hours of greatest consumption.
A Ifi-inch high-service main was laid from Parker street
to Walnut avenue near Egleston square, a distance of 6,145
feet, and the 12-inch pipe was connected through Seaver
street. These mains give 12 to 14 feet additional head to the
services on Elm Hill during the hours of greatest consumption,
and no complaints of an insufficient supply have been heard
since this connection was made.
The supply in Dorchester was improved by laying 3,900
feet of 12-inch pipe in Blue Hill avenue, from Grove Hall to
Abbot street ; 1,740 feet of 12-inch pipe in Mill and Preston
streets, to Commercial Point ; and by relaying 1,680 feet of
6-inch with 12-inch pipe in Savin Hill avenue.
The 6-inch pipe line to Long Island was completed during
the year. The siphon and pipe-box at Neponset bridge were
built and placed in position by J. N. Hayes &amp; Co., the
siphon, containing an 8-inch pipe, being lowered on Sunday,
The excavation for the pipe-trench on Long Island was
done by inmates of Deer Island, and, in consequence, the
completion of the work was somewhat delayed, so that the
water was not turned on to the island until August 21.
On March 10 the preliminary work on Basin 5 on Indian
brook was stopped for lack of funds, and was suspended until
November 18, when a party began to run the final location
lines for the changes of the road system in the vicinity of
In December borings were commenced to determine the
location and character of the proposed dam, and the work of
cross-sectioning the proposed basin was also commenced.
On November 25 the survey of Whitehall pond and adja-
38 City Document No. 39.
cent territory was commenced and is now about completed,
Foi particulars, see the following report of Desmond Fitz
Gerald, Resident Engineer : —
Boston Water Works,
Office of Additional Supply,
South Framingham, Mass., Jan. 1, 1890.
William Jackson, Esq., Oity Engineer and Chief Engi-
neer Boston Water- Works : —
Dear Sir, — I submit herewith a brief report of engineer-
ing work accomplished during the past year by the additional-
supply force.
Between March 10 and November 18 no work was done on
Basin 5, on account of lack of appropriation. On November
18 a party began the work of locating the new lines of the
roads, slight changes having been made in the former lines.
This work was completed on Dec. 'Id), 1889.
On December 12 a diamond drill was set up on the pro-
posed line of the dam, and is still at work. Bed-rock was
reached in the valle}' at a depth of 42 feet below the surface
of the ground. The borings and test-pits have revealed the
fact that the ground is full of heavy boulders and water, and
the trench for the core-wall will be extremely difficult and
costly to excavate. The test-pit on the southerly end of the
dam was carried to the rock in December. Depth, 35 feet.
The engineering forces at the basin are now at work on
the cross-sectioning of the valley, and getting out the quan-
tities for the construction of the roads early in the spring.
An artesian-well boring-machine will be started within a
few days to hasten the borings, and a second diamond drill
A small force is now engaged in sinking a test-pit in the
meadow by the brook.
On November 25 a party was started at Whitehall pond to
make a survey of the pond and neighborhood. A taking-
line has been located, contours run, and the work is now
nearly completed. This party will then be moved to Cedar
During the summer, contours were made of the valley of
Cold Spring brook, below Dam 4, with reference to improv-
ing the channel. This survey showed the necessity of lower-
ing the bridge abutments of one of the Ashland highway
bridges on Main street.
These abutments were accordingly rebuilt in October and
November, permission therefor having been obtained from
the selectmen of Ashland.
Report of City Engineer. 39
Under the head of maintenance the following engineering
work has been carried on during the year : —
Plans were made early in the season for lining portions of
the Beacon-street tunnel of the Sudbury-river aqueduct, which
were in a dangerous condition from disintegration of the
rock. . The greater part of the summer was spent in putting
a track into the tunnel, and in preparing to do the work.
The laying of concrete was begun in September, and is
A biological laboratory has been built, and a party organ-
ized for the study of changes in the life in the water, both
A new set of experiments has been started at Chestnut -
hill reservoir on filtration.
The plant has been for the most part procured, but the
preparation of the tanks was stopped by the cold weather.
Work will be resumed early in the coming season, and it is
hoped that filtration may be started in this experimental plant
by the beginning of May. The design, which is closely
modelled on the Lawrence experiments, has received the
approval of Mr. Hiram F. Mills. The object is to determine
the exact efiect of intermittent and continuous filtration on
the Boston water and economic sections of materials.
In closing I may add that the past year has been an un-
usually active one in all departments of the works.
(Signed) Desmond Fitz Gerald,
The valley of Cold Spring brook below Dam 4 was sur-
veyed for improving the water-course.
The lining of portions of the Beacon-street tunnel of the
Sudbury aqueduct has been commenced, and is now in prog-
ress. The lining is of concrete, the inside ring being of
Portland cement, and the backing of Rosendale cement.
[The illustrations indicate the method of doing this work.
Plate No. 2 shows a section in course of preparation, the
bottom is being pumped out between two temporary dams,
and men are trying the sidewalls and roof, so as to detach
any loose stone. Plate No. 3 shows the mixing-beds, the
material being brought to them by cars, each having a
capacity for carrying in separate compartments one cask of
cement, two of sand, or five of broken stone. The materials
are shovelled from the cars into the beds, then mixed and
40 City Document No. 39.
shovelled into a car, by which it is transported to the work.
Plate No. 4 shows the car of concrete in position for the
building of the arch.]
During the season the study of animal and vegetable
life in the water supply has received considerable attention.
Early in the season Mr. Geo. W. Rafter, who had made a
special study of this subject, was engaged, and later a biolog-
ical laboratory was built, and a force engaged to continue
The experiments on filtration have been continued through
the greater part of the year, with the result that it has been
determined to continue the experiments on a more elaborate
scale. A plant for these experiments is now in preparation,
and Mr. Hiram F. Mills, of Lawrence, a member of the
Mass. State Board of Health, who has already made special
studies of filtration, has been engaged as consulting engineer.
The pipe for a 24-inch high-service main, from the corner
of Prince and Perkins streets to Forest Hills, has been con-
tracted for, and will be laid the coming season. This main
is a portion of the main pipe line that will connect the pro-
posed reservoir in Roslindale with Fisher Hill reservoir, and
it will be desirable to extend this main still further within a
short time, in order to further improve the water supply for
Roslindale and West Roxbury village.
Thirty-nine contracts for rock excavation have been made
Two hundred and ninety petitions for main pipe extensions
have been received and reported upon in regard to grade of
streets, size of pipe, and cost of laying.
The pipe laid has been measured, the gates and hydrants
located, and are being plotted on the plans.
Forty-seven profiles of unaccepted streets have been made
and grades given for grading the streets and laying pipes
The records from the four pumping stations, the lakes,
reservoirs, the Mystic sewer, and the returns from the pipe
foundries etc., have been carefully kept.
BOSTON WATER WORK'S.
DiagKam showing the rainfall and daily average Consumption
for' each month.
Report of City Eng
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Year 18S9.
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located at Framingham and Westboro'.
Report of Citt Engineer.
Rainfall in Inches and Hundredths on Lake Cochituate Water-shed for the
Tear 1889.
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... 1 0.02
Total rainfall during the year, 50.23 inches.
Rainfall in Inches and Hundreds on the Mystic Lake Water-shed for the
Totals. •
Total rainfall during the year, 50.395 inches.
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COCHITDATE.
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Kepokt of City Engineer,
Table showing the Temperature of Air and Water at Various Stations on
56 City Document No. 39.
The following is a statement of the condition of the ap-
propriation for Improved Sewerage Construction to Jan. 1,
1890: —
Total appropriations $5,913,089 93
Expended to Jan. 1, 1890 .... 5,419,251 74
Balance Jan. 1, 1890 .... $493,838 19
By an act of Legislature, entitled " An Act to enable the
City of Boston to extend its Improved Sewerage System, "
approved May 9, 1889, the Board of Aldermen was author-
ized to extend the construction of the Improved Sewerage
System, and to take land therefor ; also to incur indebtedness
to an amount not exceeding $500,000 outside of the limit of
indebtedness fixed by law for the city.
On May 29, 1889, an order of the Board of Aldermen was
approved, "That the City Engineer is hereby directed to
proceed with surveys of the extension of the Improved Sewer-
age System to Dorchester Lower Mills and Brighton, the ex-
pense thereof to be charged to the available balance of the
loan for Improved Sewerage Construction."
In accordance with this order an engineering force was at
once organized and surveys and investigations commenced.
On Sept. 30, 1889, these sui-veys having progressed suffi-
ciently to indicate the general method to be pursued in regard
to the extension of the Improved Sewerage System, a plan
was submitted to the Board of Aldermen, and the following
order was passed : —
" Wliereas, it is hereby adjudged to be necessary for the
public convenience and the public health of the City of Boston
to continue and extend the Improved Sewerage System, as
shown on the plan hereinafter mentioned, it is therefore
" Ordered, That intercepting sewers, in continuance and
extension of the Improved Sewerage System of the City of
Boston, be laid and constructed in the streets and places sub-
stantially as shown and indicated by red lines and dotted
red lines on a plan dated Sept. 23, 1889, and marked 'Main
and branch intercepting sewers and proposed extension of
same,' on file in the office of the City Engineer.
" That the City Engineer be and he is hereby directed to
lay and construct the same, and that the expense thereof be
charged to the appropriation for Improved Sewerage."
Eepoet of City Engineer. 57
This order was passed on Sept. 30 and approved on
Oct. 2, 1889 ; the loan of $500,000 having been passed on
Sept. 3 and approved Sept. 14, 1889.
The surveys and investigations being well advanced, and
plans and specifications having been prepared for several of the
sections of sewer, proposals were advertised for the construc-
tion of the same, and contracts were awarded on Oct. 15,
1889, to the lowest bidders, on the following sewers : —
Section 8. — South Boston Intercepting Sewer.
/Section 9. — South Boston Intercepting Sewer.
Section 3. — Dorchester Intercepting Sewer.
Section 1. — Brighton Intercepting Sewer.
Owing to the open winter, work is well advanced on the
above sewers, with the exception of the Brighton sewer.
The result of the surveys, the work now in progress, and
the work proposed to be done, is as follows : —
The extension of the Improved Sewerage System in the
city proper will require —
FivM. The building of an intercepting sewer in Commercial
street, from the end of the present "West Side Intercepting
Sewer" at Prince street to Charter street. This sewer, to be
known as "Section 7, West Side Intercepting Sewer," will
be about 500 feet long, and will intercept the sewage now
flowing into the docks at the foot of Hull and Charter
The construction of this sewer will complete the " West
Side Intercepting Sewer."
Second. The building of an intercepting sewer in Atlantic
avenue, from Central street to Commercial street, and in
Commercial street, from Atlantic avenue to Hanover street.
These sewers will be known as " Sections 5 and 6, East Side
Intercepting Sewer," and will be 1,525 and 1,575 feet long,
respectively. These sewers will intercept sewage now
emptying into the docks at the foot ef Clark, Battery, and
The construction of these sewers will complete the East
Side Intercepting Sewer, and together with the construction
of Section 7, West Side Intercepting Sewer, previously
mentioned, will remove all sewage now emptying along the
water-front of the North End.
Third. The first section of the intercepting sewer, which
will ultimately extend up the Charles-river valley and sewer
58 City Document No. 39.
Brighton, Newton, Watertown, and Waltham, is located in
Huntington avenue, and extends from Gainsboro' street
(where it joins the main intercepting sewer) to Parker
This Charles-river valley sewer will be built by the State,
under the direction of the Metropolitan Sewerage Commis-
sioners. The drainage of a large territory in Roxbury now
overflows into the Back Bay park, and in order to do away
with this nuisance, it is proposed that the city of Boston
shall build the first section of this sewer, so as to intercept
the sewage now emptying into the park.
This sewer will be completed in October, 1890, and will
complete the extension of intercepting sewers in the city
The extension of the Improved Sewerage System in South
Boston will require —
First. The building of intercepting sewers in First street
and East Second street, from D street to L street.
These sewers, to be known as "Sections 8 and 9, South
Boston Intercepting Sewers," will be 2,363 and 1,877 feet long,
respectively ; they wdll intercept sewage now emptying into
the docks at the foot of F, I, and L streets.
Plans and specifications for these sewers were completed in
October, 1889, and proposals for their construction advertised
Section 8, South Boston intercepting sewer, was awarded
to the Metropolitan Constraction Company, for the estimated
sum of $21,332.95, they being the lowest bidder.
Work has rapidly progressed on this section, and its com-
pletion is expected in May, 1890.
Section 9, South Boston intercepting sewer, was awarded
to Collins &amp; Ham, for the estimated sum of $13,832.95, this
firm being the lowest bidder.
Good progress has been made on the construction of this
sewer, which will be finished in May, 1890.
The construction of these sewers will complete the exten-
sion of the Improved Sewerage System along the north side
of South Boston, and will intercept all sewage now emptying
along this water-front.
Second. The building of an intercepting sewer from Sixth
street to East First street, through the Marine park and
O street, to intercept sewage now emptying at East First
This sewer will be about 2,200 feet long.
Surveys have been made for the construction of this
Report of City Engineer. 59
sewer, and the work will be completed during the coming
The construction of this sewer, together with Sections 8
and 9, previously mentioned, will complete the extension of
the Improved Sewerage System in South Boston, until further
extensions are required by the filling of the flats to the line
established by the Harbor and Land Commissioners.
The extension of the present Dorchester intercepting
sewer to Dorchester Lower Mills will require the construc-
tion of about four miles of sewers.
Plans and specifications were completed for part of this
sewer, and the first section has been put under contract to
Mr. A. A. Hall, for the estimated sum of $28,731.40, he
being the lowest bidder.
Work is progressing on this section, which is 2,090 feet
in length, and it will probably be completed in July.
Surveys for the other sections of the sewer are now in
Owing to the tact that the sewer is located almost entirely
through private property, delay is experienced in making
agreements with the owners of the land as to the exact location
of the sewer. Construction will, however, be commenced on
several sections in April, 1890, and the completion of the
entire sewer is anticipated in 1891.
In the original plan for the Improved Sewerage System for
the City of Boston, provision was made for the future con-
struction of the intercepting sewer to Dorchester, and a
connection was left in the main sewer, near Mt. Vernon
street in Dorchester. This connection was Ijuilt at a low
grade, which was properly adjusted to the future extension
In 1885 the Sewer Department was given authority by the
city government to build the Dorchester intercepting sewer
from its junction with the main sewer as far as Glover's
Corner. The officials then in charge of the Sewer Depart-
ment changed the grade of the sewer by raising it five feet
above the height at which it was originally designed to be
built. As a consequence, great difficulty is now experienced
in extending this sewer as far as Dorchester Lower Mills ;
and in order to properly intercept the sewage from the
common sewer at Granite avenue, the intercepting sewer will
have to be built at a very flat grade, and more labor will
be required to keep it free from deposits than ^vould have
60 City Document No. 39.
been necessary if it could have been extended on the grade
contemplated in the original design.
The completion of the Dorchester intercepting sewer will
furnish an outlet with which the towns of Dedham, Hyde
Park, and Readville will in the future connect their sewers.
This connection should yield a revenue to the City of Boston
for the use of the outlet and the disposal of the sewage at
Moon Island. The Neponset river will be purified, and a
nuisance, now a source of constant complaint at the Lower
Mills, will be mitigated.
The amount of money expended on Improved Sewerage
during the year past is $18,281.45.
The main sewer, which extends up the Stony brook valley,
and which this order proposed to extend, is a "common
sewer. " This sewer is intercepted and brought in to the
Improved Sewerage System at Elmwood street in Roxbury.
While it is undoubtedly important that this common sewer
should be extended as the order provided, it was manifestly
outside of the provisions of the " Act to enable the City of
Boston to extend its Improved Sewerage System," and the
order failed to pass.
Eeport or City Engineer. 61
From the City Engineer's report to the Board of Park
Commissioners : —
The Parkway — Back Bay Fens.
Excavation of Watenvay. — The dredger was employed
during the early part of the season in completing the work
of deepening the channel, as described in the last annual
report ; the site of the proposed bridge at the junction of
Audubon road and the Fenway has been dredged, and early
in October, there being no other work which could be done
by the dredger at present, the force was suspended.
On December 17 work was resumed for a few days to
excavate the earth dam left by the Sewer Department at the
outlet of the new channel for Stony brook. This work has
been finished, and until the channel from the Fen bridge to
Brookline avenue can be built, there will be nothing for the
dredger to do.
Grading of Marsh. — The area of marsh land has been
but slightly added to during the year, but considerable work
has been done in seeding and sodding the areas previously
Drainage. — Catch-basins have lieen built in Audubon
road, and drains laid for conveying the water collected by
them into the channel.
Roadways and Walks. — During the winter of 1888-9,
7,015 tons of stone were purchased for surfacing roads and
walks, and a small force of men and teams kept at work
operating the crusher and piling the stone. The average
cost of the stone delivered at the crusher was 93 cents per
ton of 2,000 lbs., and the total cost of the crushed stone,
including material, crushing, screening, teaming, depositing
in piles, and all other expenses, was $1.54 per ton. The
piles of crushed stone and screenings were also measured,
and it was found that the product cost in the piles $2.05 per
cubic yard. On January 30 a contract was made with James
J. Vernon, of Lanesville, Mass., for furnishing curbstone
for Audulwn road to the Fen bridge, and for the Fenway
from Agassiz road to and including Huntington entrance.
He delivered under this contract 6,248 lineal feet of curb-
stone at $1.57 per lineal foot.
A contract was also made with S. &amp; P. J. Lombard for
furnishing pavino;-blocks, under which there were delivered
70,914 blocks, a"t $45 per M.
Seventeen hundred lineal feet of Audubon road southerly
from Agassiz road have been macadamized, the curl^stone set,
gutters paved, and the walk bordering the road on its east-
erly side has been finished ; this road has not, however, been
open to travel, there being at present no outlet at its south-
erly end.
In addition to the above the walk through the Fenside,
southerly from a point near the easterly end of Agassiz road,
has been nearly completed as far as the Stony-brook gate-
house ; and from this point the walk has been sub-graded
around the easterly and southerly sides of the basin to the
junction of the Fenway and Audubon road, excepting the
portion opposite Huntington entrance.
The crushed stone, curbstone, and paving-blocks required
for the completion of the Fenway between Westland and
Huntington entrances and for Huntington entrance have
been purchased, but the work has not been done, the Sewer
Department not having yet completed its work at the outlet
of the new channel for Stony brook.
Grading of Slopes, Loaming, and Planting. — The large
area described in the last annual report as graded has been
planted, and nearly four acres, in addition, prepared for
The foundations for the bridge over the outlet of the new
channel for Stony brook has been completed by the Sewer
Department, but the superstructure is yet to be built.
The following table gives the principal items of work com-
pleted to date : —
Channel, excavated
1,148,000 sq. ft. .
Shore, completed .
23,000 lin. ft. .
828,000 sq. ft. .
Driveway, "
46,500 sq. yds.
19,100 ""^ .
3,000 " .
Curbing, "
22, 100 lin. ft. .
10,200 sq. yds.
Area covered with loam
867,000 sq. ft. .
711,000 sq. ft. .
4,000 lin. ft. .
Drains laid .
5,545 "
Catch-basins .
Man-holes .
Much work besides that included in the table has been but
partially completed, and cannot yet be classified.
Report of City Engineer. 63
A considerable force has also been employed through the
year in the care of the plantations, roads, walks, etc.
Arnold Arboretuivi.
The spring or well at the foot of Bussey hill has been
covered, and the ground about it graded. On Sept. 19 work
was begun on the grading of the driveway leading from the
presentTroad to the Walter-street entrance, and the work is
now in progress. One of the culverts over the brook has
been built. The other work done during the year has been
that required for the care of the roads and of the plantations
on the city's reservation at the summit of Bussey hill.
Drives and Walhs. — During the year the Old Trail road,
Seaver street, opposite Humboldt avenue, to the westerly
end of the Greeting, and the adjacent walks, have been com-
Glen lane has been completed from Glen road to a point
300 feet lieyond the Valley gate, and for 600 feet farther has
been sub-graded.
The circuit drive has been completed from the Valley-gate
entrance to near the corner of Walnut and Ellicott streets,
and the walks in its vicinity are nearly finished. The walks
in the rear of the Play stead Shelter have been completed.
About 1,200 lineal feet of the Loop road in the Wilderness
have been sub-graded, and a portion of it covered with stone.
Work is now in progress sub-grading the drive from the
present terminus of the circuit drive to the top of Scarboro'
Playstead, Shelter, and Green. — A spring near the junction
of the Playstead road and the Greeting has been preserved
and carried by a pipe across the road to a rustic fountain, or
covered pool, where it furnishes a continuous flow of good
drinking-water. A flag and pennant were purchased for the
large flagstafi", and the pennant has been displayed on every
pleasant day except Sundays and holidays, when the ensign
Gatevai/s. — The Valley gate, at the entrance to the
Country park, from the Playstead district, has been com-
pleted in accordance with the description given in the last
Boundary Wall for the Country Par-k. — A wall has been
built along the southerly side of Glen road and of Glen lane
64 City Document No. 39.
from the westerly boundary of the park to a point on Glen
lane about 900 feet east of the Valley gate.
EUicott Arch. — This bridge, which is a brick masonry
arch, 71 feet in length, 17.5 feet in span, and 15 feet in
height above the walk, has been completed. The ends of the
arch and the adjoining retaining-walls are of rustic masonry,
built of field stone found in the vicinity. Arched recesses
were constructed along the sides, in which seats are to be
Ellicottdale. — This ground was generally a rocky swamp,
and its treatmen tinvolved a large amount of labor ; hundreds
of boulders had to be broken and removed, and nearly the
whole area required to be sul)-drained ; much of the ground
also needed grading, in order to make it suitable for its in-
tended use. This work, with the exception of ploughing
and seeding, has been nearly finished.
Drainage of Nazingdale. — About two-fifths of the whole
park is included in one drainage area, the outlet for which is
through a culvert under Canterbury street. At the head of
this drainage area is the easterly portion of the Playstead
and a part of Long Crouch woods. Consequently, a main
drain extending through the valley would l)e nearly a mile
in lengih, and at its lower end would be about five feet in
diameter. It had been thought that the summer flow of
water from the valley would be so slight that an open chan-
nel or brook would be unsightly in dry weather, but the
expense of a covered drain being so great, it was determined
to make an open channel through the lower part of the val-
ley. This channel has been treated so as to have the
appearance of a natural brook, and work upon it is nearly
finished. At the lower part of the valley a temporary dam
has been built, which floods about three acres of ground for a
small skating-pond. The covered drain ends at a point
about fifty feet south of the old location of William street,
and above this point the main drain, with the exception of
about 150 feet, has been completed as far as the Old Trail
pleted to date, but it does not include all the work done, a
large amount of labor and materials having been expended
on work which has not been sufiiciently finished to admit of
classification : —
Drive-ways completed . . 45,000 sq. yds., or 2| miles.
Walks completed . . . 27,500 sq. yds., or 3| miles.
Gutters paved . . . 8,600 sq. yds.
Curbstone set . . . 2,700 lin. ft.
Report of City Engineer. 65
6-in. water-pipe laid
3,000 lin. ft.
Hydrants . . . .
2,700 lin. ft.
2 ft. [) in. brick drain .
2 ft. X 2 ft. 6 in. brick drain,
2-ft. brick drain .
769 "
18-in. pipe dram .
1,860 "
15-in. pipe drain .
2,239 "
12-in. pipe drain .
1,351 "
10-in. pipe drain .
1,134 "
8-in. pipe drain
4,787 "
4-in. pipe drain
4-in. agricultural tile drain .
3-in. agTicultural tile drain .
2,420 "
2-in. agricultural tile drain .
24,613 "
Total drain . . . .
42,093 ««
]Man-holes . . . .
Catch-l)asins and inlets .
Open channel for brook
2,300 lin. ft.
Area of ground graded and
planted, or seeded
There have also been roughly graded or sub-graded about
3,300 lineal feet of drive- way.
Iron Pier. — The four spans contracted for Oct. 20, 1888,
have been completed, and this addition to the pier was
opened to the public on Augaist 29. One other span, to con-
nect the iron pier with the pier-head, has been contracted for,
and will be put in place as soon as the work on the pier-head
is sutficiently advanced.
Pier-Head. — On March 23 a contract was made with
Joseph E. White for the construction of the pier-head, and
this work is now in progi-ess. The structure consists of an
island, somewhat pear-shaped in plan, built of gravel, with
its outer line protected by a sloping wall of ballast and rip-
rap, surmounted ])y a parapet of cut granite.
At the side toward the iron pier there is an abutment of
masonry laid in cement mortar, and in the centre a circular
wall has been built, to serve as a foundation for an iron
structure. The gTade of the surface of the pier-head is to
be about fifteen feet above city base. This artificial island
QQ City Document No. 39.
is filled on a mud foundation, and consequently there will be
more or less settlement for several years.
FiJUiig. — October 5 a contract was made for furnishing
200,000 cubic yards of filling to grade the southerly portion
of the park. About 25,000 cubic yards have been depos-
ited to date.
On September 19 the excavation of the site of the pro-
posed playgi'ound and the grading of the concourse near the
bridge over the railroad was conmienced, and this work is
Plantations. — The entire area of the park, excepting the
walks and gymnastic grounds, has been planted during the
Lamps. — Gas-lamps have been placed along the river
wall, and since July 28 they have been lighted at night.
Buildings. — The old l)rick building which was used for a
temporary office has been removed, and a new building, near
the northerly boat-landing, has been constructed by W. H.
Keyes &amp; Co. , under the direction of the City Architect. The
building is 20 feet by 50 feet on the ground, and is
two stories in height. The lower story contains offices
for the police and foreman, storerooms for tools, etc., and
a room for the use of the boat-keeper. The upper story is
divided into two rooms, one of which contains water-closets,
urinals, and lavatories, and the other is the entrance to the
gymnastic ground, and is provided with boxes for clothing.
This room is connected with the gymnastic ground by a
bridge over the walk and bicycle track, with stairs from its
outer end leading to the ground, and the only entrance to
and exit from the gymnastic ground is through turnstiles at
Gi/mnastic Ground. — The gymnastic ground was opened
to the public on August 27. This ground has been provided
with apparatus consisting of 2 sheds, with 10 sets of chest
weights in each, 2 giant stride poles, 12 sets of horizontal
bars, 8 sets of parallel bars, 6 jumping-boxes, 7 sets of boxes
for quoit pitching, hammer and shot throwing, and two large
frames, each 160 feet long, to which are attached swings, tra-
pezes, ropes and poles for climbing, ladders, flying-rings, etc.
Around the outside of the ground there is a running and
bicycle track, 15 feet wide and one-fifth of a mile long. The
apparatus was designed from sketches furnished by D. A.
Report of City Engineer. 67
Sargent, M.D., Professor of Physical Culture of Harvard
University. Two drinking-fountains have been erected
within the enclosure. The grounds at the southerly end of
the park have been rearranged to conform to a new plan for
a girls' gymnasium and children's playground.
Muddy-river and Stony-brook Covered Channels. — These
remain in the ^ame condition as described in the last annual
I have the pleasure of acknowledging a donation to the
Reference Library of this department of a number of pamph-
lets. Among these were 109 repoi-ts and papers relating to
the Boston Water-Supply, which are of special value, and
have been bound for their better preservation.
These reports were from the library of the late Hon. N. J.
Bradlee, a former president of the Cochituate Water Board,
and were presented to the department by Mrs. Bradlee.
Wn)THS OF DRAW-OPENINGS.
The table showing the widths of draw-openings in the
bridges over tide-water in this city is given in Appendix A.
E. S. CHESBROUGH, M. Am. Soc. C. E.,
Nov. 18, 1850, to Oct. 1, 1855.^
Oct. 1, 1855, to April 1, 1863.^
AprU 1, 1863, to Nov. 25, 1872.
Nov. 25, 1872, to March 20, 1880.'
April 5, 1880, to April 3, 1885.*
April 21, 1885, to present time.
iDied August 18, 1886. s Resigned March 20,
« Died August 25, 1882. * Died April 5, 1885.
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CONTENTS CITY ENGINEER'S REPORTS,
1868-1889.1
Adams-street bridge (over O. C. R.R.).
Adams-street survey. . . .
Additional water-supply.
Agassiz bridge (in B. B. Fens)
Albany-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.)
Albany-street bridge (over Roxbury canal) ,
Albany-street pipe-yard sea-wall .
Albany-street wall
given are for the year in which the document was published.
Alford-street sea-wall
Army and navy monument
Arnold Arboretum, P
Artesian borings, M. D
Ashland-street bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
Ashmont-street bridge (over O. C. R.R.)
Athens-street bridge (over N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R.) .
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Atlantic-avenue filling
" retaining- wall, near Russia wharf
' ' soundings
' ' sea-wall
' ' sidewalk
' ' survey
Back Bay : —
" " bridges
" " Fens
" " filling
Back Bay filling 1885
Basins, Water-Works : —
Basin No. 4
Basin 1 dam
" 2 shallow flowage,
" 3 " " .
Beaclimont avenue
Beacon-entrance bridge: —
(B. B. Fens, over B. &amp; A. R.R.)-
Beacon-hill high-service, W.W.
" " raising grade . . . .
Beacon-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.
Beacon-street bridge (over outlet of B. B. Fens pond
see, also, Mill-dam bridge)
Beacon-street widening
Beacon-street and Commonwealth-avenue bridges
Beech-street bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
Beech-street bridge (over B. &amp; P. E.K.J
" " '« " "
" " " " " [ [
" " " " " .............
Bellevue-avenue bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
Bennington-street extension
Berkeley-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.)
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Berkeley-Street retaining-walls
Berwick-park retaining-wall
Blakemore-street bridge (over B. &amp;
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B. &amp; A. R.R. brid
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Boylston-street ar
bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.E.)
ge (over Park water-way)
-hill Puniping-station
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Boylston-street b
Boylston-street ex
idge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.)
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" test of eye-bars
" lUiistration
ulkhead
Bridges supporte
1 by railroad corporations
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Bridges supported by railroad corporations
Bridges supported hy railroad corporations : —
Adams-street bridge (over 0. C. ll.R.) .
Ashmont-street
Beech-street
(over B. &amp;P. E.R).
Bellevue-avenue bridge"
Canterbury-street
Centre-street
and Mt. VCrnon- street bridge
(overB. &amp; P. R.R.)
Commercial-street bridge (over 0. C. R.R.) . .
Dudlej'-avenue
(overB. &amp; A. R.R.)..
(over B. &amp; P. R.R.) . .
Fourth-street bridge (over N.Y. &amp; N.E. R.R.)
Harrison-avenue " (over B. &amp; A. R.R) ....
Sharon-street
(over N.Y. &amp; N.E. R.R.)
(over N.Y. &amp; N. E. R.R.)
(over B. &amp; P. R.R.) .
Tremont-street " (over B. &amp; A. R.R.)
Bridges supported by railroad corporations : —
Tremont-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.) .. .
Washington-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. E.R.)
Bridges over the B., H., &amp; E. R.R., special report.
Bridges, extension West Chester park
Brighton survey
Brighton temporary high-service works, W. W
Brighton pumping-works, W.W.
Brimmer-street sewer, M.D
Broadway bridge (over Fort-point channel) ,
Broadway bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.) ,
Broadway extension (over B. &amp; A. R.R
raising pipe
Brookline-avenue bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.),
Brookiine-avenue bridge (over Muddy river) ,
Brookline-avenue bridge (ovpt IVTnrldvrivfir^
Bulkhead at First and Q streets, So.
" " Ferdinand '
Cambridge-street bridge (Brighton
to Cambridge)
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Camden-street foot-bri
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Canterbury-Street bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
Castle-street retaining-wall
Cedar Grove Cemetery bridge (over Shawmut Branch of
O. C. R.R.)
Cement tests, M. D
Cemetery Avail, East Boston
Central-avenue bridge (to Milton)
(( (I ((
Centre-street bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
Centre-street and Mt. Vernon-street bridge (over B. &amp;
P. R.R.)
Change-avenue survey
Change of location of the Eastern and B. &amp; A. R.R
Charles-river bridge (Boston to Charlestown)
Charles-river embankment .'.
" " work completed
' ' dredging
Charles and Neponset river bridges
Chelsea bridge (Charlestown to Chelsea)
City Docibient No. 39.
, North (Mystic River Corporation's wharf
to Chelsea)
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Chelsea-st- brkVf rF^ast Rostnn to ChRlsfia'i
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Chester-park s
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Chester-park, East '.
Chester-park, West, Extension, bridges
Chestnut-hill reservoir. Water-Works
' puiuping-station
' " boilers
' " desnrintion of
" iron roof
Church-street District, filling.
Clarke's reports
Cleaning water-pipe
Cochituate Water- Works .
" and Sudbury river.
Columbus-ave. bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.) .
Commercial-point, or Tenean, bridge.
Commercial-street bridge (over 0. C. R.R.),
Commonwealth- avenue bridge (B. B. Fens).
Commonwealth-avenue bridge (B B. Fens) ....
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Condor-street sea-wall
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Congress-Street bridge (over Fort-point channel)
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Construction and maintenance M D. .
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Cottage Farm bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.)
Covered channel, Stonv brook
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Covered channel Muddy river
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^-street extension
" " bridge
Dartmouth-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. and B. &amp; P. R.R.)
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Deacon meters
Deer-Island fire-service
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Deposit sewers, M. D
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Devonshire-Street survey, between Milk and Water sts.,
Distribution system, water-supply
Dorchester-avenue grade-crossing
Dorchester Point, South Boston, P. . . :
Dorchester-street bridge (over O. C. R.K.) .
Dorchester street (Washington Village), survey be-
tween Middle street and 0. C. R.R. bridge. .
Dover-street bridge (over Fort-point channel) ,
Dover-street connection, M. D.
Dover-street grade-crossing . .
Drainage, P
Draw-tenders' reports, giving number of vessels pass-
ing through drawbridges
Draw-tenders' reports, giving number of vessels \
passing through drawbridges j
Dredging in Roxbury canal and Charles river
Driveways , P
Dudley-avenue bridge (over B. &amp; P. K.R.)
Dumping-scow, M. D
E^ist Boston cemetery-wall
" " new main, W.W
East Boston ferries
" " " new drop
East Boston high-service works . .
East Boston streets
East Boston 24-inch main
East Chester-park extension
Eastern and Northern avenue sea-walls, etc
Eastern-avenue bridge {see Congress-street bridge)
Eastern-avenue extension =
Eastern-avenue steamboat wharf
Ellicott arch, P
Ericsson statue
Embankment wall, P
Enlargement of water-pipes in East Boston
Essex-street bridge (Brighton to Cambridge)
Estimate for 30-in. pipe, Charles-street bridge. .. .
" 24-in. " " " ....
" " 30-in. " Meridian-street bridge
" 2-t-in. " " "
Evaporation, water surfaces, W.'W
Everett-street bridge (over R. B. &amp; L. R.R.)
Excavation of water-way, P.
Experiments on the evaporation from water surfaces.
Extension, Broadway
(overB. &amp; A. K.R.)
Chester park, East
" •' West (bridges),
Eastern avenue . . . .
First and Q streets.
Extension, Swett street.
Extension of East Ninth street. . . .
" " Kilby street
" " W.W., Dorchester .
" " " Roxbury ....
Extracts from Mr. Clarke's report
I^almouth- street filling
Falmouth-street filling.
Federal-street bridge (over Fort-point channel) .
Federal-st. survey, between Summer and First sts.
Ferdinand-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. K.R.)
Ferdinand-street bulkhead
Filling, P
Filth-hoist
Filtration, Mystic river ,
Fire service, Deer Island . . ,
First and Q streets extension.
Fisher-hill reservoir
Flax and Jamaica Pond Aqueduct Co.
Flume, Main Drainage Works
Foot-bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
Berwick park (over B. &amp;P. R.R.) .
" Camden street " " "
" W. Canton street " " "
" W. Rutland square " " "
" Franklin street (at Allston)
" Public Garden
" Sumner street
Forest-hills culverts
Fort-avenue retaining-wall
Fort-hill surveys.
Forty-eight in. main
Fourth-street bridge (over N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R.) , ,
Franklin, or West Roxbury, park
Franklin street, Brighton, raising grade
Franklin-street foot-bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R. at All-
ston station)
Friend-street sewer, M.D ,
G-allop's-Island wharf
" " and storehouse
Gaskill pumping-engine
Gateways, P
General work, filling, etc., P
Germantown nuisance
Grade-crossing, Dorchester avenue..
" Dover street
Grading and loaming, P
Grading of marsh
Granite britige (to Milton)
Granite curb and fence, P
Gribble, the, or boring Liranoria — Lininoria Lignorum
H^'i'rison-avenue bridge
(over B. &amp; A. R.R.)
Harrison-avenue retaining-wall
" " between Northampton and
Hunneman streets
Harvard bridge, new bridge to Cambridge
High service, \V. W
main pipe, 16 inch
pumping-works
pumping-stations - .
Brigliton
B.H. pumping-worlis
East Boston and Breed's Island,
"West Roxbury.
City Docthment No. 39.
gh service .
pumping-works.
High-street survey
Holyoke-street retaining-wall
Huntington-ave. bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.).
Huntington-ave. extension
Illustrations. See Index of Illustrations.
Index to City Engineer's reports, 18G8-1888.
Improved Sewerage, or Main Drainage . . . .
Indiana-place retaining-wall.
Iron pier, Marine Park . . . . .
Iron roof. Chestnut-hill pumping- station
Jamaica Pond Aqueduct Co
Kilby-street extension
I^ake Cochituate shallow flowage.
Leavitt pumping-engine sewage . .
Leavitt puniping-engine sewage
Light-rod borings, M. D
Liiunoria Lignorum. See illustrations . . .
Linden Park- street bridge
Long-Island wharf
Longwood-avenue bridge (to Brookline) .
Lorejoy's wharf
Lowland-street bulkhead
JVfain Drainage, or Improved Sewerage.
Main Drainage, or Improved Sewerage
Artesian borings
Brimmer-street sewer
Chester-park sewer
Clarke's report
Construction and maintenance. .
3Iain Drainage, or Improved Sewerage .
Deposit sewers.
Dover-street connection .
Dumping-scow
riltli-hoist
Friend-street sewer
Illustration, floating scraper in deposit sewers,
" Leavitt engines, log of test
" main and intercepting sewers plan,
" man- hole cover
" Moon-Island reservoirs
" outlet sewers from Moon-Island
" regulator for sewers
" regulating apparatus. Stony-brook
" tank, sewer sections
' ' tide-gate chamber
Leavitt pumping-engines, sewage
Light-rod borings
Office and other work
Outlet sewer section
Progress, Tabular statement of.
Pumping-engine tests.
Pumping-station . . . .
Main Drainage, or Improved Sewerage : ■
and filth-hoist .
Roxbury-canal sewer ,
Salt-water conduit. . .
Survey of sewers
east-side sewer.
, outfall sewer.
and Moon-Island res-
outlet " "
South Boston sewer
City Docuiment No. 39.
Main Drainage, or Improved Sewerage : —
Stony-brook sewer . . . .
" intercepting
west-side sewer
Sludge tank ,
Soil-water investigations.
Worthington pumping-engine sewage.
Maintenance and construction, M. D.
Maiden bridge (Cliarlestown to Everett)
Marine park, Soutli Boston, P.
Mattapan bridge (to Milton) ,
1)^80
;^9
1.S81
L&gt;85
Meridian-street bridge (East Boston to Chelsea)
Mill-dam bridge ; see, also. Beacon-street bridge (over
outlet, Back Bay)
Mill-dam sluices
Mill-street improvement (Dorchester District) .
Milton bridge (to Milton)
18(58
City Docu]vient No. 39.
(Army and Navy.
Lief Ericsson. . .
Moon Island, M. D
Mt. Bowdoin green, curb
Mt. Hope station, abutments, etc., now Blakemore-street
Mt. Vernon and Centre-street bridge (over B. &amp; P. K.R.)
Mt. Washington-ave. bridge (over Fort-point channel)
I a u ii "
, iC (&lt; &lt;&lt; "
( (( I( (' "
( 11 l&lt; &lt;&lt; &lt;»
I i, l&lt; 11 "
&lt;. it ii t( "
t li a u "
, X It &lt;&lt; "
&lt; (&lt; &lt;&lt; " "
I 1&lt; U «l '&lt;
1 &lt;( &lt;&lt; " "
( &lt;1 (( &lt;( ((
, 14 &lt;&lt; 11 "
I il &lt;&lt; a "
t (&lt; 11 &lt;l «'
, (. U 11 'I
" " " and reservoir
Mystic Lak(
Mystic puin
Mystic-river filtra
Mystic- vnllpv «PW
Ivussell-brook line
Russell-brook branch
' crossing at tlie Abbaiona river
' " (illustration) sewerage works
Mystic Water-W
Mystic Water-Works
Ifeponset bridge (to Quincy)
Neptune-road bridge (over B., R. B., &amp; L. R.R.)
New main water-pipe across Chelsea creek to East
New water-main to East Boston
Newton-street bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.) . . ,
Northarr
street bridge (over N.Y. &amp; N. E. R.R.) .
pton-street district
North Beacon-street bridge (Brighton to Watertown) . . ,
North Beacon-street bridge (Brighton toWatertown) . . .
14 41 44 44 44
44 44 44 4. 4C
Northern and Eastern-avenue sea-walls, etc
North Harvard-street bridge (Brighton to Cambridge),
44' 44 44 44 44
44 44 .4 44 44
1&gt;^89
N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R. , raising grade
Office and other work, M. D
1^84
Outlet sewer section, M .D
Overlook, Franklin park
" Arnold Arboretum
" Back Bay
" " " driveways
Parks, Back Bav. drivewava
" excavation of
" fens
w &lt;&gt;
" general work,
" grading and 1
" granite curb ar
" roadways and
" The Parkway
" work complet
ey park and Arnold A
'les-river embankmen
a c&lt;
(B. B. Fens)
" Buss
u &lt;&gt;
" Chai
;-&gt;6
" Dor
" Trar
Chester point. South I
iklin park, West Rox
stration, Stony- brook
" illu
' Overlook
' drives and walks,
Ellicott arch . . .
' gateways
' Plaj'stead green .
' Shelter
' work completed. ,
gate-chamber.
Parks, Marine park, South Boston,
curbstone . .
iron pier . . .
rooden pier.
West Roxbury, or Franklin, park
Wood-Island park, East Boston. .
Parker- hill reservoir.
Park-street bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.P.)
Passage for row-boats through bridges of Charles river
Paving-yard wharf at Charlestown
Piles, special examination of
Pinckney-street sea- Avail ,
Pipe, length laid, W. W . .
Pipe plans, Water- Works .
Plans and specifications, miscellaneous
Pope's-hill nuisance
Prison-point bridge (Charlestown to Cambridge) .
Prison-point flats
Proposed bridge to East Boston
Proposed Cambridge-street bridj
1881&gt;
188;-5
Proposed new bridge to Cambridge
Providence and Berkeley streets, retaining-walis.
Public Garden foot-bridge
Pumping-engine tests, Cliestnut-
uU pumping-station .
Pumping-station, M. D.
" sewers, M. D
" and other work, M. D.
and filth-hoist, M. D. .
Pynchon street, retaining-wall
Q and First streets, extension . .
Quality of water, Water- Works .
Quincy-street bridge.
J5,ainsford's Island wharf
liaising grade of Beacon street
" " Franklin street, Brighton
" " Brookline avenue and Beacon street.
N. Y. &amp;N. E. R.R
Raising pipe, Beacon street
" " Brookline avenue.
Rebuilding Warren bridge
Reports of draw-tenders
Reservoir, Chestnut Hill.
Fisher Hill .. ,
I88(i
Reservoir, Fisher Hill -
Reservoirs, W.W
" No. 1
at Moon Islaiul, M. D.
Retaining-walls. See Sea-walls.
Retainingwalls, Atlantic avenue, near Russia wharf.
" Berkelev street
Harrison avenue, between Northamp-
ton and Hunneman streets
Pynchon street . . .
Rockland street. . .
Seavcrns avenue. .
" Tyler street
" Webster street
" W. Rutland square and Durham street
" Yarmouth street
Richmond street survey
Roadways and walks, P
Rockland street, retaining- wall.
Ruxbury annex
" canal dredging
" " improvement . . .
sea-wall . . . .
sewer, M. D.
gait-water conduit, M. D.
Sea-walls, Alford street. . .
Deer Island . . . .'
Northern and Eastern avu-nue
Pinckncy street
188(3
1.S 68
18(J8
CiTr Document No. 39.
Sea-walls, Pir
Section 1, Ea
" 4, Mf
ckney street
e-yard, Albany street
ett street
nue, retaininsf-wall
bridge (over N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R.)
st-side sewer, M. D
lin " "
" 4A,
&lt; &lt;i a
( &lt;&lt; a
" 4i,
J ,, ^^ . . . .
Section 2, Sc
" 2, St
Sewage puna
utfall " "
" «' (&lt;
&lt;&lt; '( &lt;c
" &lt;' &lt;&lt;
:: :: ;;
" " &lt;(
»' I' tt
&lt;' '&lt; u
itfall sewer and Moon-Island reservoirs. . .
itlet " " " " ..
uth Boston sewer, M.D
" " intercepting sewer, M.D
" " sewer, M. D
" " intercepting sewer, M. D
ony-brook sewer, M. D
" intercepting sewer, M. D
est-side sewer, M. D
ped, M. D. ...
SXIBJBCT.
n " J ake Cochituate
Sharon-street bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
Sliawmut-avenue bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.)
.&lt; i&lt; I* &lt;&lt; &lt;i
It 41 U 11 11
,, &lt;&lt; i&lt; 4&gt; U
CI U U i( &lt;l
11 &gt;( 11 (I 11
U .4 CI .1 U
a i« &lt;i u &lt;i
11 4i &lt;l U 11
!, 11 .4 &lt;( U
" extension and Indiana-place walls . . .
Silver-street bridge (over N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R.)
Sixth-street " " " " "
Sludge-tank, M. D.
Soil-water investigations, M. D
Smith T?r&gt;i5ton flats .
'I " high service W.W.
«' " streets . .
Special examination of piling. See Illustrations
Sprinf-street brido^e (to Dedham)
l&lt; &lt;« u
(&lt; &lt;&lt; &lt;&lt;
a u (&lt;
&lt;( (C u
1&lt; &lt;1 11
11 &lt;1 11
Spring-street bridge (to Dedham)
St. Charles-street retaining-wall
Sudbury river and Lake Cochituate
Sudbury river, Basin No. 4, W.W
Sudbury-river reservoirs, W.W ,
" Farm pond and Lake Cochituate, W.W.
Suffolk-street district
Summer-street survey ,
Sumner street, East Boston bridges
Sumner-street foot-bridge ,
Survey, Adams street ,
Atlantic avenue ,
Change avenue
Devonshire street, between Milk and Water sts
Federal street, between Summer and First sts.,
public building lots
Eichmond street
of sewers, M. D
Washington street, between Kneeland and War-
ren streets
Surveying, M. D
Swett-street bridges (over South-bay sluices)
1«78
18.S9
Xable showing evaporation at Beacon-liill and Chest-
nut-hill reservoirs, W. W
Table showing widths of draw-openings
&lt;&lt; a i&lt; &lt;i
:: :: :: :: yy-''''y''
&lt;&lt; U &lt;1 l&lt;
ii n i( &lt;&lt; , _
Tabular statement of progress M. D
u u a 41
.&lt; li &lt;( a
Temporary channel, Farm pond
Third-street bridge (over N. Y. &amp; N. E. R.R.)
Tremont-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.)
&lt;( &lt;t (&lt; u u
&lt;C 11 ,i &lt;&lt; 41
survey, between Boylston street and B.
&amp; A. R.R. bridge
Tunnel, M D . .
4( ((
Tyler-street retainino'-walls
Vegetable market (Mercantile wharf)
^I7"alks and roadways, P . .
Walls, Shawmut avenue extension and Indiana place. .
W^arren bridge (to Charlestown)
4; 44 44
44 44 .4
11 44 ,&lt;
&lt; » 4 11
" traffic, Dec. 20, 1888..
Washington-street bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.K.)
Washington-street survey, between Kneeland and War-
Waste of water, W.W
&lt; 11 11
ter-pipe bridge, Tremont street
" " between Charlestown and Chelsea. .
" additional supply
(( i( 11
(1 i&lt; 11
&lt;&lt; U 11
&lt;( 11 11
11 .1 11
" algae
" aqueducts and distributing reservoirs . .
" Basin No. 4 ,
Water-Works. Basin No. 4
Beacon-hill reservoir evaporation . . . .
Beacon street, raising pipe
" " evaporation . . .
" pumping-station
" " description of
•' " boilers
" " engine tests.
" " iron roof
Cochituate W.W
conduit, Cochituate . .
Dam No. 1 ... .
Water-Works, distribution system.
Dorchester W.W. extension
East Boston, enlargement of water-pipe .
" " new main
" " 24-inch main
" " water-pipe across Chelsea
Experiments on the evaporation from
Farm- pond temporary channel. . ,
Farm pond and Lake Cochituate.
Filtration, Mystic water
Fisher-hill reservoir. . . .
Force main, street, etc
Gaskill pumping-engine tests
High service .
Brighton pumping-works . .
" " and Breed's Island
main pipe, 16-inch,
Water-Works, high service, South Boston
" " " West Roxbury
" " '• " pumping-
" illustration, Basin 4, section of dam. . . .
" " Farm-pond conduit
" " Fisher-hill reservoir
" " " gate-chamber. . .
" " Forty-eight-inch water-pipe,
method of raising
" " Mystic- valley sewer, catch-
" " Mystic-valley sewer, pipe-
crossing at Abbajona river,
" " Mystic-valley sewerage w'ks
" " Mystic-valley sewerage
works, sectional elevation
" Lake Cochituate
" main water-pipe, 48-inch
Mystic conduit.
and reservoir .
pumping-station .
tests of boilers .
valley sewer .
branch drains . . .
crossing at Abbajona
Water-Works, Mystic-valley sewer, Eussell-brook b'ch
" " water-works ...
Parker-hill reservoir .
pipe, length laid
pipe-yard sea-wall, Albany street.
Fisher Hill..,
Eoxbury W.W. extension
shallow flowage
" " Basins2, 3
" " Basin ;!
" " Lake Cochituate
Sudbury river.
Sudbury-river reservoir and Lake Co-
chituate
Tremont-street water-pipe bridge
West-st:
water-pipe bridge between Charlestown
-street retaining-wall
eet survey . .
-avenue bridge (Brighton to Cambridge)
Western-avenue bridge (Brighton to Cambridge) ,
avenue bridge (Brighton to Watertown) .
West-Boston bridge (to Cambridge)
West Chester-park bridge (over B. &amp; A. R.R.),
park bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.) .
West Chester-park bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
West Chester park and Commonwealth avenue .
" " " extension (bridges).
" " survey
West Rutland-square and Durham-street retaining-
walls and foot-bridge (over B. &amp; P. R.R.)
West Rutland-square foot-bridge (over B. &amp;P. R.R.) . .
Wharf at Deer Island
steam-boat .
Gallop's Island.
Mercantile Vegetable Market
North paving-yard
Paving-yard at Charlestown
Rainsford's Island
Widening of Parker street
Wightman, H. M. , obituary
Williams-street survey . . -
Winthrop bridge (to Winthrop)
Island park, P.
Wooden pier, Marine Park , .
Worthington pumping-engine .
Yarmouth-street retaining-wall
Back-bay Park — Stony-brook gate-chamber
Basin 4, Boston Water-Works — section of dam.
Boylston-street bridge, B. &amp; A. R.R., abutments and
" " plan of bridge and section . . . .
" " 216-foot truss on staging
" " swinging truss across tracks . .
Broadway drawbridge
Dartmouth-street bridge
Dover-street bridge-draws
' ' gate-chamber
Forty-eight-inch water-pipe, method of raising
Harvard-bridge plan
Improved Sewerage — main and intercepting sewers, plan,
" floating scraper in deposit sewers,
" man-hole cover
" Moon-Island reservoir
outlet sewers from Moon-Island
regulator for sewers
regulating apparatus, Stony-brook
tank-sewer, sections
tide-gate chamber . . .
ILLUSTRATIONS - Continued.
Marine Park, iron pier, view of one 60-fooi span
" " pipe-crossing at Abbajona river. .
'• " sewerage works
•' " sectional elevation
Special Examination of Piling : —
Oak pile reduced in size by the Limnoria Tere-
Spruce piles destroyed by the Limnoria Tere-
Spruce pile attacked by the Limnoria Tere-
brans. The lower part shows the pile unin-
jured where it was under the mud. No. 1 . .
Hard-pine timber attacked by the Limno-
ria. No. 2
Surface of spruce pile attacked by the Lim-
noria Terebrans
Surface of hard pine attacked by the Limnoria
Figure 1, Chelura Terebrans; male lateral
view, enlarged about 12 diameters
Figure 2, Limnoria Lignorum ; dorsal view
enlarged ten diameters . ....
Warren-bridge draws
West Chester-park bridge, B. &amp; A. R.R. abutments. . .
" B. &amp;P. R.R.
CONTENTS CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR 1889.
■ City Engineer's Department 2
Classification of Expenses 2
Bridges inspected 3
" wholly supported by Boston 3, 7
" of which Boston supports the part within its limits .... 4, 16
♦' " " pays a part of the cost of mainten-
ance 5, 19
" supported by railroad corporations 5, 21
" " " " " Boston &amp; Albany
R.K 6
" " " " *' Boston &amp; Maine
R.R., W. Div.... 6
" " " " " Boston &amp; Maine
R.R., East. Div., 5
" *' " " *' Boston, Revere
Beach, &amp; Lynn
R.R 5
«« " " " " New York &amp; New
England R.R. ... 5
" " " " " Old Colony R.R... . 6
*' " " " '« Old Colony R.R.,
Providence Div., 6
" Total number (101) 6
Agassiz road 7, 64
Albany street 19
Ashland street 7
Athens street 7
Beacon entrance, Back-bay fens 7
Beacon street, over outlet to Back-bay fens 7
Beacon street, over B. &amp; A. R.R 7
Berkeley street, B. &amp; A. R.R 7
Berkeley street, B. &amp; P. R.R 8
Blakemore street 8
Bolton street, N.Y. &amp; N.E. R.R 8, 22
Bo\ Iston street, B. &amp; A. R.R 8
Boylston street, Back-bay fens 8
Broadway, over Fort Point Channel 8
Broadway, over B. &amp; A. R.R 9
Brookline avenue 9
Byron street, B., R.B., &amp; L. R.R 9, 22
Cambridge street 16
Chelsea (North) 16
Chelsea (Souths 10
Chel.«ea street 10
Columbus avenue 10
Commercial Point or Tenean 11
Commonwealth avenue 11
124 City Document No. 39.
Bridges, — continued. page
Congress street 11
Cottage-street foot-bridge 11
Dorchester street 20
Dover street 11
Essex street 17
Federal street 12
Ferdinand street 12
Pranklin-street foot-bridge, B. &amp; A. E.R 13
Harvard to Cambridge 21-25
Huntington avenue 13
Leyden street, B., R.B., &amp; L. R.R 13
Linden Park street 13
Longwood avenue 17
Main street and Mystic avenue, Charlestown 21
Mattapan 17
Meridian street 13
Mt. Washington avenue 14
Neponset 18
Neptune road 14
Norfolk street (2), N.Y. &amp; N.E. R.R 14
North Beacon street 18
North Harvard street 18
Prison-point , 19
Public Garden foot-bridge 14
Shawmut avenue 14
Spring street 19
Swett street, east of N.Y. &amp; N.E. R.R 15
Swett street, west of N.Y. &amp; N.E. R.R 15
Tremont street 21
Washington street 21
Western avenue to Cambridge 19
Western avenue to Watertown 19
West Boston 19
West Chester park, over B. &amp; A. R.R 16
West Chester park, over B. &amp; P. R.R 16
West Rutland square, foot-bridge over B. &amp; P. R.R 15
Life of bridges over railroads 21
Miscellaneous Work and Construction in 1889 22
Bohon-street bridge, over N.Y. &amp; N. E. R.R 22
Bothnia- street bulkhead 25
Bridge over reserved channel 26
Byron-street bridge, over B., R.B., &amp; L., R.R 22
Colonel Cass monument 25
CommonM-ealth avenue widening 23
Cottaije- street foot-bridge 23
Court- House curbing 26
East Boston ferries 26
Estimates 26
Gold-street foot-bridge 26
Granite curbing, City square 23
L-street bulkhead 23
Leyden-street bridge, over B., R.B., &amp; L. R.R 24
" " " Illustration of plan 24
Northern-avenue or Oliver-street bridge 26
Retaining-wall, extension of L street 26
Walks in common and squares 24
Contents. 125
B. — "Water-Works 26
Additional supply 37
Aqueducts and distributing reservoirs 29
Consumption 34, 41
Distribution system 35
Farm pond 27
Heights of water in storage reservoirs 28
High-service pumping-stations 29
Illustration : Beacon-street tunnel, Sudbury-river aque-
duct, showing portions of lining, Plate 1 38
Illustration : Beacon-street tunnel, photographs of interior,
Plates 2, 3, 4 38
Illustration : Diagram showing rainfall and daily average
consumption for each month 41
Illustration : Diagram showing the heights of Sudbury-
river reservoirs, Farm pond, and Cochituate and
Mystic lakes, also the rainfall on the Sudbury-river
water-shed, during the year 1889 46
Illustration : Siphon, thirty-inch, at Warren-bridge 30
Reservoir No. 1 26
" 2 26
" 3 27
" 4 27
C. — Improved Sewerage or Main Drainage 66
Appropriations and expenditures 56
City proper 67
Sections 5 and 6, east side 57
Section 7, west side 57
Sections 8 and 9 58
Dorchester 59
Section 3 69
Section 1 67
D. — Parks 61
Arnold Arboretum 63
Back-bay fens 61
Excavation of water- way 61
Grading of marsh ... 61
Grading of slopes, loaming and planting 62
Roadways, walks 61
Charlesbank 66
Gymnastic ground 66
Plantations 66
Franklin Park 6i
Boundary wall for the Country Park 63
Drainage of Nazingdale 64
Drives and walks 63
Ellicott arch 64
Ellicottdale 64
Gateways 63
Overlook 65
Playstead Green 63
Shelter 63
Marine Park 66
Iron pier 65
Pier-head 65
126 City Document No. 39.
Parks, — continued. page
Wood-Island Park 66
Covered ctiannels of Muddy river and Stony brook 67
City Engineers, 185U-1889 69
Appendix A, showing width of draw-openings 72
Appendix B, general index to City Engineer's report, 1868-1889. . 74
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