298 American Water-works. [Book III. been estimated that 95 per cent of the power was expended in communicating motion to the apparatus! The evil of working the pumps with shafts and chains at such great distances from the power, was seen a few years after the machine was completed. In 1738 an attempt was made by M. Camus to raise the water to the reservoir by a single lift. The attempt succeeded but partially, and the machine was much strained by the extraordinary effort, chiefly because only a small portion of the power was used; viz: those wheels that raised the water into the first cistern; the others which moved the shafts and chains abovementioned, not being applicable for the purpose. But even this comparatively small power forced the water to the reservoir, and thus demonstrated the practicability of completing the work at one throw, if the whole apparatus had been adapted accordingly. Nothing more was done for nearly forty years, and the machine proceeded as before till 1775, when another trial was made to raise the water only to the second cistern: this succeeded, and it was then hoped that the first cistern would be dispensed with; but many of the old pipes burst from the undue strain upon them, financial difficulties impeded their renewal, and the old plan was once more resorted to. The water wheels at last fell into decay and were replaced by a steam engine, of sixty-four horse power, by order of Napoleon; but the old shafts, chains, pipes and cisterns, &c. still remain. We have mentioned only 225 pumps, but there were in all upwards of 250; some being feeders to others, and to keep water always over the pistons of those near the river. As each pump had two valves, an immense quantity of water must have escaped at every stroke on the opening and closing of 500 of these; to which may be added that which leaked past the leathers or packing of the pistons, and through the innumerable joints. The 64 pumps near the river were placed in a perpendicular position and had solid pistons. They resembled No. 118, except that the sucking as well as forcing pipes were united to the sides of the cylinders: those in the cisterns had hollow pistons, and the cylinders were inverted and immersed in the water: one of them is represented at No. 126. AMERICAN WATER-WORKS.-A history of these is desirable and is certainly due to posterity. There are circumstances connected with their origin, plans, progress and execution, especially in the older cities of the Union, of Mexico and the Canadas, that ought to be preserved. An account of them would be useful to future engineers, and, as a record of historical and statistical facts, would include matter of general interest in coming times. The circumstances attending the first use of pumps and fireengines, &c. may now be deemed too trifling to deserve particular notice, but they will increase in interest as time grows older. When the destiny that awaits the republic is accomplished-when the continent becomes studded with cities from one ocean to the other, and civilization, science and self government pervade the whole, then every incident relating to the early cultivation of the useful arts and improvements of machinery will be sought for with avidity and be dwelt upon with delight. Why should not the introduction of the most useful materials, manufactures and implements into this mighty continent form episodes in its history, as well as the fleece, the auger, saw, or bellows in that of classic Greece? And why should not the names of those persons be preserved from oblivion who here made the first pump and fire-engine, the first cog wheel and steamengine-who built the first ship, forged the first anchor, erected the first saw, slitting, or grist mill-who made the first plough, grew the first wheat, raised the first silk, wove the first web, cast the first type, made the first Chap. 6.] Introduction of Pumps into Wells in New-York. 299 paper, printed the first book, &c. &c.? It is such men as these and their successors, that found, strengthen and enrich a nation-who, without ostentation or parade, promote its real independence-men, whose labors should be mentioned in the national archives with honor, and whose statues and portraits should occupy the niches and panels of the capitol. The precise time when pumps were first introduced into New-York is uncertain. This city, as is well known, was founded by the Dutch in 1614, who gave it the appellation of New-Amsterdam, and to the colony that of New-Netherlands; names that were continued till the British, in 1664, took possession of both and imposed the present ones. In examining the manuscript Dutch records in the office of the clerk of the Common Council (a volume of which including the period that extends from May 29, reference any 1647, to 1661, has been translated,) we have not met with to pumps, either in wells or as fire-engines. In the first volume of " Minutes of the Common Council" (in manuscript) which embraces the transactions from October 1675 to October 1691, are several ordinances relating to wells, but no mention is made of pumps or other devices by which the water was raised. In the second volume under the date of August 31, 1694, the public wells within the city be repaired as a resolution directed that formerly." From the following extract it appears that the water was raised by a cord and bucket, a windlass, or a swape: September 24, 1700, "Ordered that the neighbourhood that live adjacent to the king's farm and have benefit of the public well there built, do contribute to the charge thereof in proportion, or else be debarred from drawing water there." In the third volume, containing minutes from February 1702 to March but up, 1722, are notices respecting wells to be dug and others to be filled nothing is said respecting pumps being placed in any. The same remark applies to the fourth volume, including a period of eighteen years, viz: from April 1722 to September 1740; and yet it would seem that pumps were at this last date used in some of the public wells, for in the fifth volume under the date of October 25, 1741, they are referred to in a "draft of a bill for mending and keeping in repair the public wells AND PUMPS in this city;" and again November 8, 1752, a bill was before the corporation "for keeping in repair the public wells AND PUMPS; and January 10, 1769, two hundred pounds [were] ordered to be raised "for mending and keeping in repair the public wells AND PUMPS." The precise period when pumps were first introduced is therefore uncertain; but from the language of the minute of October 1741, it would appear that they had then been some time in use in public wells; and from another minute in the same volume, in private wells also, for it was ordered that "the pump" of an individual should be deemed a public one and kept in repair at the public expense, on an application to that effect being made by the owner. From the rapid growth of the city the number of wells was increased, as now, every year, and in 1774 measures were taken to insure a more abundant supply from a large well in the Collect, the water to be raised by machinery and distributed through the city in wooden pipes. On the 22d April of that year, Christopher Coles proposed to the corporation to erect a reservoir and to convey water through the several streets of this city." The proposition was subsequently approved of, and Mr. Coles directed to enlarge the well and proceed." A committee was appointed 66 167,059 203,007 10,381 1810 . 21,876 1820 96,373 123,706 1835 270,089 1840 312,932 23,614 300 Philadelphia Water-works. [Book III. to assist him and to superintend the works, and several contracts were made for materials. To meet the expense £2500 in treasury notes were ordered to be issued, and subsequently further amounts were printed and issued. One of the small notes is now in the possession of John Lozier, Esq., superintendent of the Manhattan water-works, and is in these words: NEW-YORK WATER-WORKS. No. 3842. This note shall entitle the bearer to the sum of TWO SHILLINGS, current money of the colony of NEW-YORK, payable on DEMAND, by the MAYOR, ALDERMEN and COMMONALTY of the city of New-York, at the office of chamberlain of the said city, pursuant to a vote of the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of this date. Dated the second day of August, the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. ii s. : By order of the Corporation, WM. WADDEll, It appears that the well (near White street) was enlarged, and a reservoir built, but no pipes were laid nor machinery to raise water erected before the war broke out and put a stop to the work. The project was not again revived till 1797, when the Manhattan Company was incorporated the present wells were then made and the water raised by three or four common forcing pumps, worked by horses. These pumps raised the water by atmospheric pressure twenty-five feet, and forced it forty feet higher, into a reservoir in the Park where the post office is now (1840) located. In 1804 the pumps were replaced by two double acting ones (No. 122) fifteen inches in diameter and with a stroke of four feet. They were and still are worked by one of Watt's steam-engines. The water is raised to the same elevation as before. These works will probably be discontinued as soon as the Croton aqueduct, now being constructed, is finished. The first water-works of Philadelphia were commenced in 1799, and consisted of forcing pumps, worked by steam-engines which raised water from the Schuylkill into a reservoir constructed, at an elevation of 50 feet, on the banks of that river; and from which it was conveyed to the city in pipes of bored logs. In 1811 the "city councils" appointed a committee to devise means for procuring a more perfect supply than these works afforded and shortly after it was determined to erect two steamengines and pumps on another location, viz: at Fair Mount, two miles and a half from the city, and near the upper bridge that crosses the Schuyl kill. A reservoir 318 feet in length, 167 in width, and 10 in depth, was made at an elevation of 98 feet, into which the pumps forced water from the river. The great expense attending the employment of steam-engines led to the adoption (in 1819) of water as the moving power. A dam was erected, and in 1822 three water wheels were put in operation; these, by cranks on their axles imparted motion through a connecting rod to the pistons of the pumps. In addition to the water consumed in turning these wheels, a surplus remained to work five additional ones, whenever the wants of the city might require them. An additional reservoir was also made, which contains four millions of gallons. The water in both is 102 feet above low tide, and 56 above the highest ground in the city. Iron pipes were also substituted for the old wooden ones. The whole was executed under the directions of F. Graff, Esq. We took the opportunity while at Philadelphia in October of the pre Chap. 6.] A fine specimen of Hydraulic Machinery. 301 sent year (1840) to visit Fair Mount. Six breast wheels (15 feet long and 16 feet in diameter) were in operation; each, by a crank on one end of its axle, communicating motion to the piston rod of a single pump. The pumps are double acting, the same as figured and described at page 271. They are placed a little below the axles of the wheels and in nearly a horizontal position. The cylinders are 16 inches diameter; and, that the water may not be pinched in its passage into and escape from them, the induction and eduction pipes are of the same bore; and all angles or abrupt changes in their direction and those of the mains are avoided. The stroke of two or three of the pumps was four feet, and their wheels made fourteen revolutions per minute: the others had a stroke of five feet ten inches, and the wheels performed eleven revolutions in a minute, consequently the contents of the cylinders of the latter were emptied into the reservoirs twenty-two times in the same period, and those of the former twenty-eight times. The cylinders are fed under a head of water from the forebays and they force it to an elevation of 96 feet, through a distance of 290. An air chamber is adapted to each. It is impossible to examine these works without paying homage to the science and skill displayed in their design and execution; in these respects no hydraulic works in the Union can compete, nor do we believe they are excelled by any in the world. Not the smallest leak in any of the joints was discovered; and, with the exception of the water rushing on the wheels, the whole operation of forcing up daily millions of gallons into the reservoirs on the mount, and thus furnishing in abundance one of the first necessaries of life to an immense population-was performed with less noise than is ordinarily made in working a smith's bellows! The picturesque location, the neatness that reigns in the buildings, the walks around the reservoirs and the grounds at large, with the beauty of the surrounding scenery, render the name of this place singularly appropriate. Dr. T. P. Jones, the talented editor of the Journal of the Franklin Institute, promised his readers " A history of the origin, progress and present state of the Water-works at Fair Mount," some years ago, but which has not yet been published. His familiarity with the subject in general, and with those works in particular, would make the history highly interesting to the present generation, and a source of valuable information to future ones. See Journal of the Franklin Institute, vol. iii, first series; which contains a plan and section of one of the wheels and one of the pumps. a What a contrast with the old works at London bridge, where one wheel worked sixteen small pumps; the friction of the numerous pistons and the apparatus for moving them consuming a great portion of the power employed. 302 Fire Engines. [Book III. CHAPTER VII. FIRE-ENGINES: Probably used in Babylon and Tyre-Employed by ancient warriors-Other devices of theirs Fire-engines referred to by Apollodorus-These probably equal in effect to ours: Spiritalia of Heron: Fire-engine described in it-Pumps used to promote conflagrations-Greek fire, a liquid projected by pumps-Fires and wars commonly united-Generals, the greatest incendiaries-Saying of Crates respecting them-Fire pumps the forerunners of guns-Use of engines in Rome-Mentioned in a letter of Pliny to Trajan, and by Seneca, Hesychius and Isidore. Roman firemen-Frequency of fires noticed by Juvenal-Detestable practice of Crassus-Portable engines in Roman houses-Modern engines derived from the Spiritalia-Forgotten in the middle ages-Superstitions with regard to fires-Fires attributed to demons-Consecrated bells employed as substitutes for water and fire-engines-Extracts from the Paris Ritual, Wynken de Worde, Barnaby Googe and Peter Martyr respecting them-Emblematic device of an old duke of Milan-Firemen's apparatus from Agricola-Syringes used in London to quench fires in the 17th century-Still employed in Constantinople-Anecdote of the Capudan PachaSyringe engine from Besson-German engines of the 16th century-Pump engine from Decaus-Pump engines in London-Extracts from the minutes of the London Common Council respecting engines and squirts in 1667-Experiment of Maurice mentioned by Stow the historian-Extract from a history of the first inventers.' Or the machines described in the 1st and 2d books some are employed in raising water for the irrigation of land, and for numerous purposes of rural and domestic economy; others in various operations of engineering and the arts, but with the exception of the centrifugal pumps, (Nos. 95, 6, and 7,) the liquid falls inertly from them all-i. e. it is not forcibly ejected as from a forcing pump or syringe: whether it be poured from a bucket, drawn from a gutter, escape from a noria, or from the orifice of a screw, or the spout of an atmospheric pump, it flows from each by the influence of gravity and consequently descends as it flows-such machines are therefore inapplicable for projecting water on fires, because for this purpose the liquid is required to ascend after leaving the apertures of discharge and with a velocity sufficient to carry it high into the air; and also when conveyed to a distance through flexible or other tubes, to be delivered from them at elevations far above the machine itself. As these effects are produced by the pumps described in the present division of the subject, most of them have at different times been adopted as fire-engines; some account of these important machines may therefore be inserted here. Water is the grand agent that nature has provided for the extinguishment of flames, and contrivances for applying it with effect have, in every civilized country, been assiduously sought for. In the absence of more suitable implements, buckets and other portable vessels of capacity, at hand, have always been seized to convey and throw water on fires; and when used with celerity and presence of mind at the commencement of one have often been sufficient; but when a conflagration extends beyond their reach, the fate of the burning pile too often resembles that of the ships of Eneas: Nor buckets poured, nor strength of human hand Eneid, v. Can the victorious element withstand. The necessity of some device by which a stream of water might be forced from a distance on flames must have been early perceived, and if we were to judge from the frequency and extent of ancient conflagrations, the prodigious amount of property destroyed, and of human misery induced by them, we should conclude that ingenious men of former times were stimulated in an unusual degree to invent machines for the purpose. That this was the case cannot well be questioned, although no account of their la |