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EEPOET
COMMISSIONERS AND  CHIEF  ENGINEER
CIIARLESTOWN WATER WORKS.
FEBR
MUSEUM OF HYGIENE,
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         BOSTON:
LITTLE,  BROWN A*ND  COMPANY.
           1865. 
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Dakik  and  Met calf.
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              REPORT

                       OF

WATER   COMMISSIONERS.
                        WATER COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE,
                     Chaklestown Water Wokks, February 28, 1865.
 To the City Council of the City of  Chaklestown :
   The  Water Commissioners respectfully present this their final
 report,  and that of the Chief Engineer, upon  the construction
 and condition of the works intrusted to  their care.
   The time having  arrived, when,  from  the near completion of
 the  aqueducts and  works, all the rights, powers, and authority
 granted to  this commission should cease, and  be exercised by
 the  City of Charlestown;  the  Board feel  it a duty they owe
 to the government  and  citizens,  that a report  of their  doings,
 and  a description  of the Water Works, should be  presented.
 Believing that their importance demands it, and that the whole
 subject  may be better understood, they have taken  the  liberty
 of making  the  same  somewhat retrospective, and would refer
briefly to the history of the works prior, as well as  subsequent,
 to their appointment.
  Although  the need of a proper supply of water has been for
very many  years acknowledged,  and the want of it at times 
4
severely felt, it does not  appear that any public action, tending
to obtain  such, was had until  the  passage  of the  legislative act
authorizing the City of Boston to  supply East Boston  with  Co-
chituate water.  This act, passed in 1849, required that hydrants
should be erected along the line of the aqueduct, in such streets
as it  passed through.   The water  therefrom could only be  used
in cases  of fire,  and  for such  purposes no  charge was to  be
made.  Although  limited  to  the line of pipe, and  in its  use,
yet the advantages arising from the nine  fire-plugs thus obtained,
have  been duly shown, not  alone  in  enabling us more readily to
extinguish conflagrations, but  at times admitting of obtaining a
supply for our  reservoirs,  and more recently for some of  our
citizens  most in  need  during  a  period of extreme  drought.
The partial benefits thus experienced led the authorities to en-
deavor to procure a like supply,  when  the right to lay pipes
through  another  portion of  the city was granted to the  State
Prison.  The  attempt was  not successful,  and  the  only  benefit
derived was limited to the  establishment  to  which the right was
given.  As the want  of a proper supply of water would have
rendered  necessary the removal of the institution  to  some other
locality, it is  doubtful if any  gain  was  had to the city  what-
ever.

   April  13, 1854.   Sundry  gentlemen  interested in the Cam-
bridge Water  Works  procured from  the  Legislature the right to
supply Charlestown with water, under the name of the Charles-
town Water Works.   No  particular source  was mentioned in
this grant, and  it was not  until the  following year  that  the in-
corporators  instituted any important  investigations, it being  sup-
posed that  either Spot or Mystic  Ponds would  be made  use of.
The examinations  made of the first-named source  by Mr. Henry
Hubbard, civil engineer, showed, that while  no  doubt existed as
to  the  proper elevation,  or  the  purity of the water  of  Spot
Pond, yet, from  the  small quantity it  would  supply, and  the
heavy damages  that would have to  be  paid to the  mill-owners, 
0
it  was unadvisable to use this  lake.   It  was mainly the latter
reason that induced the Company to look to Mystic  Pond as the
proper source :  the  fee  of this  pond being (as was supposed) in
the Commonwealth, while Spot  Pond was owned  by individuals,
who,  as  long ago as  1837, asked  for  one half of the same,
$65,000.
   But little  appears to have been  done until May, 1857, when
the  right was obtained  from the  Legislature to contract  with
other companies.  Under this authority the Company proceeded
to make  contracts, and  had selected and staked out a site  on
Bunker  Hill for a Reservoir, with  a view of using the waters
of Fresh Pond in Cambridge.   The City of Cambridge becoming
alarmed, obtained a perpetual injunction:  having shown conclu-
sively that this pond was scarcely adequate for Cambridge alone,
whenever more than half the city  was supplied  by the Water
Works.
   In June, 1857, their engineer was  instructed to make  surveys
and  plans for  a supply of water  from Mystic Pond.   As  the
Company at that time  designed to supply  Chelsea  and East
Boston, the plan proposed was to elevate the water to  a reservoir
on Powder-Horn Hill, iu Chelsea,  and from thence also supply
Charlestown.   This plan was submitted to the authorities of the
various cities,  and  was favorably considered by  the  mayors of
Charlestown  and Chelsea.  (Vide  address Hon. James Dana,
January, 1859, &c.)
   In September, 1858, Mayor Dana, perceiving  the  importance
of action on the part of the city, formally called the attention
of the Council  to the  subject, and  also again in his inaugural
of January,  1859.
  In February, of the same year, the Charlestown Water Works
Company made application to the Legislature, to draw water from
Mystic Pond.  They having  failed  to give proper notice to  the
towns interested,  their application was refused; and thus ended
the first organized plan of a water supply.
  It becoming  evident, from the increasing requirements of  the
                 1* 
6
city, that  more energetic action was  necessary,^ in August, 1859,
the City Council  authorized Mayor Dana  to obtain a charter to
supply  the city with  pure soft water.  The services  of Messrs.
George R. Baldwin and  C. L. Stevenson, civil  engineers, were
engaged,  and detailed scientific examinations made by them of
all  the  sources within fifteen miles of the city.   None  were at all
favorable  except Spot and  Mystic Ponds.  In their  careful ex-
amination of Spot Pond,  they only corroborated the  statements
of other scientific men, that it was  inadequate for  the  wants of
the  city.   This  pond has, from  its favorable  elevation and po-
sition, and from the purity of its waters, undergone more search-
ing examinations  than any other source in this vicinity.
   Professor Treadwell, in 1825, in a report to the city of Boston,
estimated its yield as high as 1,600,000 gallons per day.   Sub-
sequent investigations by Loammi Baldwin,  in  1835, did  not
quite sustain these estimates, though agreeing substantially with him.
   In 1836, R. II. Eddy,  civil  engineer, proposed this pond as  a
source of supply for the city of Boston, the deficiency  in its yield
to be made up by pumping from Mystic Pond.
   In 1836 and 1838, Messrs. Treadwell  and Hale, Water Com-
missioners, accurately measured the flow,  and  found it  for these
years to be 1,700,000 gallons per  day.
   In 1839, Mr. James F. Baldwin, water  commissioner  and civil
engineer, estimated the yield to be 1,480,893 gallons.
   The pond was  not again examined until 1845, when Mr. J. B.
Jervis,  the engineer of  the Croton Water Works, and  W. B.
Johnson,  civil engineer, were appointed commissioners  for Boston.
These  gentlemen were the first to  apply to the gauging the test
of measuring the area of  country  draining into the pond, and the
quantity of yearly rain-fall.  As  all the water the pond can fur-
nish  is  a certain percentage of  rain-fall  on  the drainage area,
it is evident their deductions are conclusive.   They found the
yield to be 1,500,000 gallons per day, derived from a drainage
area of 1,100 acres ; the  extreme elevation of this  pond account-
ing for  the small area of country that could drain into  it. 
7
  In  1857, this  pond was suggested as a source of supply for
East Boston; but investigations  by " city engineer " Slade, and
the president of the  Cochituate  Water  Board, showed that this
single ward of the city was then, with.16,000  inhabitants, using
more water than this pond could supply, — the great consumption
in this ward being attributed  to the large amount of machinery
and manufacturing interests that had become there established,
mainly from the facilities afforded by a copious supply of water.
   In  January, 1860,  application was made  to the Legislature
" for  the grant of such powers  as might be necessary to enable
the City of Charlestown, either by itself or in connection with the
City of Chelsea, to obtain  a supply of Pure  Soft Water for  the
use of the inhabitants  of  said  city or  cities."   This petition was
referred to the committee  on "  Mercantile affairs, and Insurance,"
and encountered a most  terrific  opposition.   The  parties  inter-
ested in . Spot Pond, in the Rubber Works,  in the Flour Mills,
and the Barrett Dyeing Company, the land-owners around Mystic
Pond, the city of Boston, the town of Medford, the Boston Board
of Trade, merchants of Boston in  behalf of Boston Harbor, and
ship-owners and  builders  from Medford and East Boston: no less
than  six learned counsel  appearing  in  the case.   His Honor,
Mayor  Dana, and ex-Judge Abbott  appearing for  Charlestown.
The Hon. Edward Everett also appeared in behalf of his own and
the public interests.
   After thirteen protracted hearings and personal examinations
of the premises, the committee, with but one dissenting voice, re-
ported that, —
   " There was  an existing necessity for pure water in Charles-
town;
   " That a source of supply was at hand ;
   " That water could be readily obtained from that  source (Mys-
tic Pond), in an  economical manner;
   " That it could be done without great injury to private rights;
   " That the city of Charlestown was prepared to carry into effect
the project proposed; and 
8
   " That the navigation of Mystic River and the harbor of Boston
would not be injured by the plan, if carried into effect."
   After a severe  contest in the Legislature, the bill reported by
the committee  passed both houses by large majorities, but failed
to receive  the  sanction of the executive  (Gov.  Banks), on the
ground  of possible damage to Boston Harbor; and the matter was
then referred to the next General Court.
   The necessity of a water supply daily becoming more evident,
Mayor Dana was  authorized to apply to  the  Legislature, at its
extra session in June, for  permission to  obtain  water  from the
Boston Works.   The act was passed June 12, 1860 ;  but all sub-
sequent efforts  to  obtain other than a temporary supply from the
hydrants failed, it being evident that the Cochituate works were
barely ample (as since shown), for the supply of Boston alone.
   The veto of Gov. Banks being based  upon  the  possible or
probable damage that might ensue to Boston Harbor if the pro-
posed dam of the Water Works should be erected at Mystic Pond,
it  became essential that proper investigations on this head should
be made;  and in August, 1860, the City Council directed  Mr.
Stevenson " to  test the  effect on Boston Harbor of the  ebb  and
flow of  the tide In Mystic  River; also the effect on  the same
likely to be produced by the  building of  a dam across  the outlet
of Mystic Pond."   Similar  investigations  were  directed to "be
made by the U. S.  Harbor Commission; and, as the  investiga-
tions were to the same  end, the forces  employed for the city and
the commission  were  united.
   The report to  the city was made  December 29, 1860; that
of the commission  in  February, 1861.  The conclusions arrived
at by Mr. Stevenson,  were, —

   " First: That as a tidal basin, Mystic River is of the utmost
importance to the preservation of  the channels  of Boston Harbor.
That  its value as such at present  extends only to a point between
Medford and Mystic Pond ;  and that  said pond is not a tidal
reservoir of present value to the harbor. 
9
  " Second: That  the  fresh-water flow from the Mystic Pond  is
not appreciable on the harbor ;  and that a large portion of its flow
is detrimental to the river.
  " Third: That the erection of a dam at the outlet of Mystic
Pond, as proposed by the City of Charlestown, will not injuriously
affect Boston Harbor or Mystic River, but on the contrary may be
so constructed as to benefit both."

•  Some of the facts adduced are thus stated by the Harbor Com-
mission : —

   " That  it is only during the dry season that Mystic Pond can be
classed as a tidal reservoir; and  that even  then  the  presence  of
the tide-wave in the basin is scarcely appreciable.
   " That, under ordinary circumstances, Wood's Mills may be re-
garded -as the point at which the true tide ceases.
   " That the outflow from Mystic Pond does not produce a meas-
urable  effect upon the  times of  the  currents  in Boston Harbor
below  Charlestown."

   They recommended, however, that  it was inexpedient to make
the changes proposed by the City of Charlestown, as the Lower
Pond might he converted into a  tidal  reservoir  of value to the
harbor.
   In 1861, the matter was again brought before  the Legislature
by Mayor Hutchins ; and, after a patient investigation of the new
facts, this second  committee were of opinion that no detriment  to
the harbor would  ensue from the contemplated works.   In view,
however,  of the stubbornness  of  the opposition, and the required
removal of extensive erections made on the Lower Mystic during
1860, which would enhance the cost of the work, it was  deemed
expedient, by the City of Charlestown, to limit their operations  to
the occupancy of the Upper Mystic Pond ; the rapidly  increas-
ing wants  of  the city rendering it also unadvisable to run the risk
of another year's delay. 
10
   In March, 1861, the act under which the works have been con-
 structed was passed.   By it the city is authorized, —

   " To take, hold, and convey by steam, or other power, to, into,
 and through the  said city, by suitable  aqueducts  or pipes, the
 waters of Mystic Pond, so  called, in the towns of Medford, West
 Cambridge, and Winchester, and  the waters  that may flow into
 and from the same, and  may also take and hold, by purchase or
 otherwise, any  land,  real  estate, or water rights necessary for
 erecting,  laying, and maintaining, and  may erect, lay, and  main-
 tain such aqueducts, pipes, dams, gates, pumps, bridges, reservoirs,
 embankments, water-ways, drains or other structures, as  may be
 necessary or convenient to insure the purity of the waters of said
 Pond, or  the ponds and streams running into it, or to convey said
 waters into, and for the use of  the said City of Charlestown ; etc.

   The city is also authorized to supply Boston, Chelsea, and the
 towns through which the line of aqueduct may pass.  It is limited
 to the use of the waters of the  northerly division of Mystic Pond,
 and can raise the  waters  of said  division seven  feet above the
 original level thereof.
   September 10, 1861, the act was accepted by the citizens, by a
 vote of 944 in the affirmative to 251 in the negative.
   November 15, 1861, an ordinance to regulate the proceedings
 of the commissioners was  passed, and,
   December  10, 1861,  Edward Lawrence, Matthew Rice, and
 Geo. H. Jacobs were  appointed commissioners conformably to the
 act of the Legislature.  These commissioners organized  Jan.  8,
 1862, and, on April  5th, appointed C. L. Stevenson chief engi-
 neer, and George R. Baldwin, consulting engineer.
   September 27, 1862, work  was commenced, with appropriate
 ceremonies, on Walnut Hill Reservoir.
   February, 1863,  an  additional act was obtained, authorizing the
temporary lowering of  Mystic Pond outlet, to facilitate construc-
tion. 
11
   November 29,1864, the water was formally introduced into the
city with imposing ceremonies.

   In entering upon  the duties confided to them, the Board at the
outset felt the great  responsibility of undertaking a work of its
size and cost, at a time when the greatest civil war the world has
ever seen was in progress in our country, and the demands upon
the  city treasury for  sustaining the honor  of  the nation were
daily increasing.  Could they have foreseen events, it would have
certainly required  more  courage than is ordinarily possessed, to
have undertaken the arduous duties of the past three years.
   The  vast  importance of this  great enterprise,  its inestimable
value to our city as  conducive  to the health and comfort of our
citizens, and the great advantages that will  accrue from  the
facilities  thus  afforded to  the  mechanical,  manufacturing, and
general  business interests of the city, are now so manifest, as to
demonstrate  that they have but  anticipated  an  actual necessity,
and that a postponement for a longer period would not only have
prevented the large  increase of manufacturing establishments, our
abundant favorable  localities warrant us  in anticipating, but haz-
arded even the continuance of those now in existence.
   The  line  upon which the present work-  has been built was
adopted  May 24, 1862, after a careful examination of the routes
that seemed  at all  feasible, and, during  the season of 1862, con-
tracts were made for nearly  every portion of the  works.
   The commissioners, having in view the experience of other cities
and towns, in which, for want of sufficient capacity and thorough-
ness of the work, large outlays had been made necessary both for
extensions and repairs, determined at an early period  that so far
as possible the  Charlestown Works  should  be  constructed  of a
capacity most  ample,  and in a style of  workmanship  substantial
and  thorough.   They therefore  determined  to  increase  the  ca-
pacity of the works over that originally proposed  by Messrs. Bald-
win  and Stevenson, in 1859, so as  to provide for contingencies
not far   remote, when  our adjacent cities  will require a  supply 
12
from the Mystic Lake source ; and the applications for the same
from  two of  our  largest neighbors so soon after the  introduc-
tion of the water, is a pleasing proof of the wisdom of the course
adopted.
   Prior to awarding the contracts, the commissioners visited  the
principal pumping-works in the country, the works of the War-
ren Foundery, and New Jersey Water and  Gas Pipe Company,
with which corporations two of the most important contracts were
subsequently made.
   Among the most important and  difficult decisions to be made,
was as to the kind of pumping machinery that should  be adopted.
Nearly every  style of engine  in favorable operation  was visited,
and  each type had its advocates.  With so  many forms to select
from, each possessing marked  points of advantage, it may be well
to consider the peculiarities of  the engine finally adopted by the
Board, and  to state  the  reasons which led to the  choice.  In
every engine whose working they inspected (except  the one at
Harrisburg, Pa.), a severe concussion at every stroke was noticed,
which could not but produce results more or less destructive.  In
a word, they appeared exposed to constant danger, and to be  un-
reliable.   The parts were enormously large and heavy, and likely
to produce great mischief by their momentum in case of accidental
derangement.   Their  foundations were  very expensive, often
amounting to  as much as the cost of the engine, and the engine-
houses were also of an expensive character.  These objectionable
characteristics appeared to be  obviated in  the engine finally se-
lected, a more detailed description of which  will be found in the
engineer's report.   Its remarkable and almost distinctive advantage
is  the entire absence of all noise or concussion.  The water flows
through the forcing main so equably as hardly to disturb the  most
delicate pressure-gauge, and passes into the reservoir in a perfectly
even and unbroken stream.  There is also no jar or irregularity of
movement;  the amount of metal in motion is small, and there are
no oblique strains in any part of the machine.
   The engines were contracted for under an  unqualified  guaranty 
13
as  to  performance and  workmanship.  They were to equal any
engine heretofore erected in  this country, on both these  points,
and no  money demanded until the guaranty should be fulfilled.
The engine now in use, having performed this guaranty, has been
accepted.
   Considerable progress was made during the autumn of 1862, by
Mr. James McDonald, the contractor for the dam,  conduit, reser-
voir and iron pipe laying, — the work being continued as long as
the season would permit.
   Between the suspension of the work in 1862, and its commence-
ment  in the  spring  of  1863, the  prices  of labor  and materials
necessary for the fulfilment of these contracts  had increased so
much, that  the contract prices (based  as we believe upon an in-
telligent knowledge of the  cost and  a fair remunerative price for
the  services) were found inadequate for  a satisfactory progress;
and in order to cause a more vigorous prosecution of the works, it
was deemed advisable to advance the  prices, and, finally, to relieve
the  contractor from the responsibility of the labor portion, at  the
same time  securing  his energetic  and well-directed  services in
the management  of the work until near  the close of the season.
   It is  proper here  to  state, however, that the increase  of cost
over the original  estimate made by the commissioners is not to be
attributed alone to the causes alluded to, but  is in a great measure
due to the enlargement of the  works as before stated.
   The  New Jersey Water and  Gas Pipe Company early com-
menced operations, and, having opportunities of supplying all the
materials required by them, they were  enabled  to prosecute their
work  without  any advance until 1864,  when some modifications
were made.
   The  construction of the  engine-house was commenced early in
1863,  by our well-known townsmen, Messrs. W.  W.  Bray and
John B.  Wilson, and  was successfully completed by them  during
the season of 1864.
   In this  connection  the commissioners  beg leave to state their
entire  concurrence in the views  expressed by the chief engineer
               2 
14
as to  the faithful workmanship  under the  several  contracts,
and' their approval of the manner in which the various mechani-
cal and labor  departments have been directed  and the work ex-
ecuted.
   In  order that our citizens might be  supplied with water im-
mediately upon its introduction, the commissioners were  authorized
and directed to make the necessary arrangements for this purpose,
and applications have been received since March, 1864. Bills for
the water-rates have already been made and collected,  amounting
to $8,123.12, which has  been deposited in  the city treasury.  It
is gratifying to know that in this the third month of its introduc-
tion the water is already supplied  to 990 families,  52 stores and
shops, 17 manufacturing establishments, 43 stables, 10 saloons, 4
engine-houses,  1 church, 1  armory, and the McLean Asylum  at
Somerville.  There  are further  applications for water from 418
families, 25 shops  and stores, 8 manufactories, 18  stables, and  2
saloons.   The laying of the house  services to the line of tne street
at the expense of the city has doubtless been the means of  induc-
ing many to take  the water, who  would otherwise  (from the high
price  of materials) have been deterred from so doing.
   In  the settlement of land damages, the commissioners have en-
deavored to arrange with the parties upon equitable and amicable
terms, in order to save the vexation, delay, and expense of litigation
in courts, and have been enabled thus to settle a large majority of the
cases upon terms which they deem to have been for the interests of the
city,  and just to the parties.  In the five or six cases remaining
to be adjusted, the  claims of the parties were so exorbitant, that
the commissioners thought it best to  allow them to be settled by
the courts, relying upon an intelligent jury  to make a just  award.
It is  likewise  believed that time will, as in several instances on
the Boston works, demonstrate  to the  parties themselves  that
much less damag* will ensue to them than they are now disposed
to believe.

   The expenditures for construction, exclusive of interest, as will 
15
be seen  by the detailed statement, are $731,575.83.   The esti-
mated cost, as the works are now designed, will be about 8800,000,
which will be increased,  should the land  damages exceed the
estimated amounts, and by the extension of pipes and services.
The  supply to other cities will of necessity  entail an outlay for
such  extensions; but the  revenue to  be derived therefrom, it  is
believed, will tend to reduce the debt created.
   Large as has been the cost, the commissioners  cannot but feel
that the benefits to accrue to the city will more than  justify the
outlay.  It will admit of the occupancy of some 300 acres of land
within our limits,  which, without water, would remain vacant;
lands  that, from their  location, are, for manufacturing purposes,
every way desirable, since they are in many instances  nearer the
business centres of Boston than many  parts of that  city itself,
and are  contiguous to railroads and the deep waters of the harbor.
But  the many other benefits to both  public and private interests,
as afforded in the increased security  against fires,  and the  conse-
quent saving in insurance and expenses of the fire department, — in
the increased value given to property, and the individual comfort
and sanitary improvements which  it entails, — are  too  important
to be overlooked or forgotten.

   The thanks of  the  Board are due to C. L. Stevenson, Esq.,
chief engineer, for  the  skilful and energetic  manner in which he
has planned and executed  the work.
   The selection of Geo. R. Baldwin, Esq., as consulting engineer,
is believed to have been a fortunate one, as his  large experience
in works of  this nature has rendered his advice  valuable to the
commissioners, and  serviceable  to the  city.   His approval has
been  given to the plans and execution of  the works.
   The Board also take pleasure in acknowledging  the  intelligent
manner  in which the efficient clerk of the Board,  W. W. Peirce,
Esq., has performed  the varied and arduous duties pertaining not
only to his office as Clerk, but also to  those of Paymaster, Water-
Registrar and Collector. 
16
  In  conclusion  the  Commissioners  would  state that  all books,
papers, and properties of every description, are in readiness to
be delivered to their successors.
  Respectfully submitted.
                            EDWARD  LAWRENCE, Chairman.
                            PHILANDER  S. BRIGGS.
                            MARSHALL  N. CUTTER. 
17
           COST OF WORKS TO FEBRUARY 28, 1865,

                             Dr.

                        CONSTRUCTION.

Salaries........$17,644.61
Engineering, including salaries of chief and consult-*
  ing engineers.......29,013.06
Land damages.......29,502.61
Reservoir, including gate-houses and chambers     . 115,759.50
Dam  .........15,291.36
Conduit, including gate-house and appurtenances  . 128,833.29
Engine, boiler-house and chimney    .     .    .     24,054.81
Engine and appendages......34,330.14
Grubbing around  pond.....7,850.77
Iron pipes and special castings     .     .    .      106,173.79
Laying iron pipes, feed, force, and supply mains  .     60,287.60
Pipes for city distribution, including setting  hydrants
  and stop-gates......79,396.41
Hydrants........   11,173.37
Stop-cocks........12,140.92
Contingencies........8,282.57
Roadways and bridges.....2,956.98
Lowering Mystic River......2,821.11
Inspectors........1,824.79
Service  pipes, including stop-cocks ....   36,514.02
Somerville  distribution.....11,126.20
Hydrants for Somerville and Medford   .    .     .    1,353.08
$736,330.99
                          Cr.

                    LAND DAMAGES.
By amount received for wood, &c.     .    .    .      $330.91

                       IRON PIPE.
By am't rec'd from Gas Co., for crossing R. R. Bridge    300.00

                    CONTINGENCIES.
By amount received from sale of tools   .     .    .     84.25

              SOMERVILLE DISTRIBUTION.
By am't rec'd for laying pipes to McLean Asylum      4,100.00
Interest ac't to Jan. 1st, less interest rec'd and prems.
Cost of maintenance since introduction of water : —
Pumping service.......$3,185.83
Contingent expenses......       191.00
   4,815.16

$731,515.83
  12,072.78
3,376.83
2*
$746,965.44 
REPORT  OF  THE  CHIEF  ENGINEER.
                     Engineer's Office, Charlestown Water Works,
                                            February 28, 1865.
Edward Lawrence, Esq.,
           Chairman Water  Commissioners, C. W.  W.
  Sir:  I  herewith respectfully submit  a report  descriptive and
giving  briefly the history and  condition  of the Water Works  as
constructed under your direction.   While the details of the works,
as built, are familiar to those  who have been engaged therein, it
is important that a proper record should be made, describing the
whole as actually completed, for the information of the City Gov-
ernment, and of subsequent boards of control.  Experience upon
other works has demonstrated the necessity  of  full and careful
descriptions, since, after the lapse of time and those engaged upon
the  construction have departed, it has been difficult, or impossible,
to obtain  proper information without great trouble and expense.
Hence the report is of necessity long, though  condensed as much
as is deemed  consistent with reference to the giving of proper
details.
  Under your  direction, in 1862, surveys were commenced to
ascertain the best and  most feasible routes for,  and methods of,
constructing the works authorized by the act of the  Legislature.
Four different routes were  examined and reported upon.   Two of
these contemplated reservoirs on  Wyman's Hill in  West Cam- 
19
bridge;  the others were modifications  of the  present  adopted
route.
  In July, proposals for  the  construction of the various portions
of the work were issued; and, after a visit of inspection to Water
Works in other cities, contracts were made for building the princi-
pal portions, and the work was  begun on the 27th of September,
1862.

                         MYSTIC LAKE.
   The source of supply, the northerly or upper portion of Mystic
Lake, is situated in the towns of Medford, West Cambridge, and
Winchester, 6| miles from Charlestown Square.  It has an area of
about  200  acres when flowed to the level authorized by the act,
and a storage capacity at  that  level of 380,000,000 gallons of
water.   The area of country  forming the drainage basin is thirty-
one square miles, exclusive  of the areas of the water  surfaces of
the  ponds  and  streams lying within the  basin.  The  principal
ponds are Horn, Wedge, and  Winter, and the waters flowing from
these and from  streams rising  in  Reading,  Wilmington,  and
Woburn, all flow into the lake.   These numerous ponds serve to
collect and retain the water derived from the rainfall, checking at
various  points the rapid flow which would otherwise  take place to
the Mystic River.
   Frequent gaugings during the past six years have enabled us to
obtain with considerable accuracy the quantity of water the  lake
will furnish.  These  results are happily verified by estimates upon
the  available  rainfall upon the  drainage  basin.   This basin  is,
throughout the greater part of its length and breadth, a deposit of
gravel and sand of  considerable depth, underlaid with  primitive
trap, of  the common greenstone variety, which crops out on the
tops  and  sides  of the higher hills lying in and around the basin.
The  rainfall upon this  gravelly, sandy soil  is  rapidly  absorbed
and held  comparatively free  from loss  by evaporation, while the
water collects and is conveyed in an equable and gradual manner
to  the  watercourses which supply the pond.   A district of this 
20
nature is, therefore, one favorable to a high ratio of drainage.   It
will be seen, by examining the accompanying plans, that the pond
lies  at  the extreme  southerly  edge of the drainage  basin, and
that the water, as it is collected, is daily delivered to it in a man-
ner which  serves to keep  the supply comparatively regular; the
numerous  ponds  above, being  under control, serve as so many
storage  reservoirs, from which a daily quantity is delivered.   We
are therefore  led to  believe that for the greater part of the year
the supply would  be large in comparison with the amount of water
usually  obtainable from a  given  area of drainage ;  though in the
spring, when the  surface of the  ground is frozen, a large quantity
of water is unavoidably lost in the freshets.
   From all the  data collected, it is deemed safe to estimate the
daily yield of  the lake at 30,000,000 United States gallons.   As
no tables of rainfall have been kept within the basin, we  have  been
obliged  to use  those of Boston and Cambridge, and which it is be-
lieved are sufficiently near for the purpose.   The Mystic basin
is  cjuite  as  favorable  for a high ratio of  drainage as that of Lake
Cochituate, which it closely resembles;  and from this last, with a
water-shed  of 17.8 square miles, the average daily yield for ten
years has  been 23,700,000 gallons.   With the same percentage
of rainfall  Mystic Lake basin should furnish upward of 41,000,-
000.  The  least  amount  ever obtained  by the gaugings was 11,-
900,000 in twelve hours.   Should it ever be deemed advisabhe to
store some of the  surplus water so as to obtain more than 30,000,-
000 gallons per day, Horn Pond and the Lower Mystic  could with
legislative  authority be made to hold a  reserve of 500,000,000 ;
while  the yield of  the  Lower Mystic would be in addition about
3,000,000  gallons per day.  As regards a still further quantity of
water, some remarks  will be found under the head of " Supply of
water to other cities."
  The territory  of Charlestown is  capable of containing,  when
filled to  its present limits, a population of 75,000  persons, which
under ordinary regulations will  require  nearly 5,000,000 gallons
of water per day.   Of a  sufficiency of supply for Charlestown 
                               21

alone, unless its territorial limits are extended, there certainly can
be no question.
   The water of Mystic Lake is celebrated for its purity, its pota-
ble qualities being already favorably known to our citizens; and in
this last respect it is admitted as excelling either the Cochituate or
Fresh Pond waters.  The corroborative testimony of Professors
Silliman  and  Horsford,  Drs.  Jackson  and Hayes, as  shown  in
their reports, should thoroughly set at rest any doubts ever enter-
tained as to its entire fitness.   To thoroughly conserve its purity,
the flowage of six or seven feet in height was deened advisable,
as  it  admitted of a sufficient depth,  over the shallow portions  of
the lake, to completely drown out those vegetable growths that at
certain seasons are  liable to unpleasantly affect  the taste and
smell of  the water.   Further to avoid if possible those difficulties
experienced upon other  works, of impure water,  caused by the
gradual  dying out  of  the  submerged trees   and  shrubs, the
shores of the  lake  and all  those portions reached by  the  flow
were  completely  grubbed, and  all roots, shrubs,  and plants re-
moved.  Wherever  deemed necessary  a  slope walling  or  rip-
rap has been placed on those portions  of the shore subject to wave
wash.
   The rising  of  the  water rendered necessary the  covering  of
some eighty acres of swamp and meadow  lands, and  the flowing out
of the mill-privilege commonly known as " Bacon's," occupied by
the Fibrilla Felting Company.   A small water-privilege  used for
wool-washing by Mr. Bacon, was also destroyed.   The  raising of
the lake likewise necessitated the removal of some small buildings,
and  the  raising of Mr.  Bacon's  steam-mill.    The  lands  flowed
are comparatively of  small value, and  it is  rare that so considera-
ble an area is flowed, in a  well-populated region with  so little
damage;  but, with  the  exception of  the instances just men-
tioned, the riparian  proprietors are, as predicted by a celebrated
expert, actual gainers by  the  change of water-level, by the im-
provement of the landscape " in the element of beauty, if not  of
land." 
•
22
  To convey the waters of Mystic Lake to our citizens the works
consist of
Dam and Overfall;
Conduit with its appurtenant Gate-
  Houses,  Waste-Weir,  Ventilator,
  and Drains;
Cast-Iron Mains under Mystic River,
  Bridge, &c.;
Engine-House and Pump-Well ;
Pumping Engines;
Force  Main  with  Check-Valves,
  Gates, Hydrants, and Blow-Offs;
Reservoir with  Influent, Effluent
  and Drain Chambers, Gate-House
  and Appurtenances;
Supply Main from Reservoir, with
  Gates, Air-Cocks, Blow-Offs, and
  Connections;
City Distributions, Hydrants, Gates,
  &c;
Service-Pipes, Stop-Cocks, Meters,
  Fountains, etc.
                     DAM  AND OVERFALL.
  The act of the Legislature, restricting the city to the use of the
upper or northerly portion of Mystic Lake, required that the Dam
should be  constructed  at the narrows  or  parting (so called), a
narrow strait between  the  shore  projections,  giving  to the pond
the shape of a figure eight.   These portions were nearly of equal
area, and  the strait varied in  width from  fifty to two  hun-
dred feet, according to the  height of the water.   Across this
strait and along the low shores, until  the proper elevation was
reached, a dam, 1,560 feet  long has been constructed.  It is sub-
stantially built of earthwork and masonry, and although constructed
through a difficult quicksand formation, presenting unusual diffi-
culties, it was successfully  completed by  the contractor.   The
height of the Dam  is 11 feet above  high-water mark of Boston
harbor, and the original level of the lake, or 4 feet above the author-
ized limit of flowage.  It is 15 feet wide on top, and mainly con-
structed  of the sand and gravel  excavated  from the  conduit line.
The side slopes  are two to one, and where subject to wash are
riprapped with stone.   Two rows of six-inch sheet piling, 15 feet
long, and driven to  an average depth of 11 feet below the water
line, extend across the  main  portion of the Dam for  a distance of
550 feet.  Between these rows, which are 4J  feet apart, a puddle
wall, composed of carefully prepared  materials from  the  banks of
the Middlesex Canal, is built, and against the interior of the lower 
I
                              23

side, as an additional protection against infiltration or percolation, a
wall of concrete masonry, of an average thickness of 18 inches, is
laid. A single row of sheet piles, 6 inches thick, extends a further
distance  of 330 feet, protected  on the upper side with concrete
and puddle walls.
   The overfall of the dam is constructed of cut granite (rock-face)
masonry, and consists of five  piers and two abutments, with six
waste openings of six feet each.  The  distance between abutments
is 80 feet, the  piers being 5 feet wide at base and 11 feet long in
the  direction of the  stream.   The whole  structure rests on piles
driven into the quicksand 18 feet,  with a covering of 18 inches of
concrete, and an  apron or base course of 18 inches of cut gran-
ite.  The lines  of 6  inch sheet piling extend on both sides of the
base of  the  overfall and the concrete  masonry covering the piling
extends out thereto. A neat and substantial wooden bridge  reaches
from one abutment  to the  other, and is fitted with movable traps
to  admit of readily  adjusting the overfall  planking.  Of  this
overfall  planking  there  are  two  rows, 6 inches  thick, fitted to
grooves in the masonry, and susceptible of removal to regulate the
height of the water in the lake.  The intermediate space between
the planking is puddled to prevent  leakage.
   The dam  was  commenced in October, 1862, and  has  been a
work of  more than usual difficulty, and reflects credit upon  the
builder for  its  substantial character and neat construction.  The
most careful examinations have failed to detect any leak, and it is
believed to be a work  capable for all time of performing (with or-
dinary care) its allotted part in our works.

                 CONDUIT AND APPURTENANCES.
   The Conduit extends from the lake to the  pipe-chamber  on  the
north  bank of Mystic River, and  conveys the water to the iron
pipes passing under the bed of the same, a distance of 7,453 feet.
It is constructed  of hydraulic brick masonry, 8 inches thick, ex-
cepting between the upper gate-house and the waste wier, where all
above the springing line of the arch is 12 inches thick, — the bet- 
                                          I

                              24

ter to protect it in case of pressure being brought upon the masonry,
and  to which  this section  is liable.  In shape it is oviform 5 feet
8 inches in height, and 5 feet wide, interior dimensions, the base
being semicircular 5 feet diameter, the upper segment having a rise
of 3 feet 2 inches. To better protect the work, the whole structure
is laid in a foundation of concrete masonry, varying in  dimensions
as the nature  of the bottom demanded, and rising upon the sides
to nearly the spring  line of the  arch.  The general form of the
exterior  will be  better  understood from  the annexed  diagrams,
than from any description that can be given.
SECTIONS OF CONDUIT.
                                            General Section.


      Section near Gate-House.

  The whole exterior of the brickwork is coated with hydraulic
cement mortar, the more  thoroughly to insure against percolation
or undesired leakage from without.   The level of the inside of the
invert of the conduit at the lake is 4 feet 2 inches below tide water,
and 11 feet 2 inches below the line of authorized flowage.  The total
fall to the pipe-chamber is nine inches, the general inclination being
six inches to the mile. With this grade the conduit will convey when
running, as it is designed to do, within  8 inches of the inside of the 
                              25

crown  of the  arch, 35,000,000 gallons in  twenty-four hours, sup-
posing a  free  delivery into  the  pipe-chamber.  This quantity is
calculated from the accepted formulas for water-flow, but from some
experiments made, I am led to  infer that the capacity, as in the
case of the Cochituate  conduit, is  an excess of the calculations.
The first three thousand feet of the conduit, known as the " pond
section,"  was  a work rendered necessary by  legislative require-
ment, and was attended with probably greater difficulties than any
work of  its size in this country.   It passes around and along the
easterly side of the  lower Mystic, a shore line of  steep side-hills
with abrupt bends  and  many sudden changes of  direction.   To
procure an alignement with admissible curves, it was necessary to
carry the work through heavy cuttings, across  deep bays, upon
pile foundations; and when it is remembered that the bottom of the
excavations for foundations was from five to  six feet below the water-
line  of the pond, requiring  constant  and  costly  pumping, some
idea of the obstacles overcome can be had.   The soil along the
whole  route was extremely porous, being generally a coarse, loose
gravel, through  which the water  flowed with great volume, — so
great that at times it was necessary to elevate with the pumps one
million gallons in three hours.  Anticipating some of  the difficulty
that was  had  from water,  the required  authority of the  Legisla-
ture was obtained, during the winter of 1863,  to construct at the
outlet  of the lower  Mystic  a system of tidal  gates, whereby the
average  level  of the  lake could be reduced.   The  construction of
these  gates enabled  us successfully to lower  the  lake  some two
feet.   Without the  assistance thus afforded,  it would  not have
been possible,  without greatly augmented pumping power, to have
effected the work  at  all.  It is gratifying to be able to state, that
upon this most difficult  section there are but very few leaks  dis-
covered,  and these of a trifling nature.  Upon  the lower section
near  the  Mystic River, and in the  locality  of  numerous land
springs, it was found  that three leaks could not be stopped without
endangering the  stability  of the  work.  They were accordingly
opened and the springs admitted into the conduit.   They have
               3 
26
 thus  far  continued  to run  unceasingly,  and with  considerable
 volume, and as  the  water is of unusual  good  quality, they are
 rather a valuable acquisition than a detriment.
   The earthwork of the conduit was begun in  October, 1862,
 though nearly all of  the important work was performed during the
 summer  and fall -months  of  1863 and 1864.  The greater part
 was performed under  a contract with Mr. McDonald, and under
 the immediate  inspection  of Mr. Albert Whiting,  Superinten-
 dent  of Masonry.  To the care, skill, and fidelity of  this gentle-
 man, the thanks of all interested are  due for the  successful per-
 formance of a most difficult work.

   The principal appurtenances of the  Conduit are  known as the
 Gate-Chamber, Waste-Weir,  Ventilator,  and Pipe-Chamber.

                      THE GATE-CHAMBER

   Is situated near the  easterly extremity of the dam, and  is car-
 ried out  into the lake, so that the water is  taken where it is of
 ample depth to avoid shore impurities.  It is constructed of cut
 granite masonry externally and  lined with brick-work, the  whole
 being laid in hydraulic cement.  The foundation, like  that of the
 dam, was  laid upon  quicksand, but owing to the greater depth of
 water  it  was necessary to build a substantial coffer dam within
 which the work was  constructed.  This  dam, with the exception
 of a water-way to the gate openings, was left in the work as adding
 to its stability and that of the surrounding banks.   Into the quick-
 sand oak piles were driven, upon which  was placed the concrete ma-
 sonry to receive the flooring of cut granite.   The gate-chamber is
 divided into a receiving and two screen chambers, which last unite
 at the conduit head.   The water from the lake passes into the
receiving-chamber through two openings in the masonry four feet
 square, which are protected  by vertical  cast-iron  gratings.   On
 the exterior of the front a heavy white oak framework is  bolted.
 and fitted with grooves, so that stop-plank  can be  placed outside
 of the openings, and the water excluded from  the building ; a very 
                              27

necessary protection, as, in case of accident to the inside gates or
receiving-chamber, they become  readily  accessible for repairs.
The passage of the water from the receiving-chamber to the screens
and conduit is regulated by two gates three by four feet.   These
gates  are  fitted with composition bearings throughout, and regu-
lated  by a screw passing through a nut  of the  same material.
The screens are of fine copper mesh, and  fitted with reference to
ready  removal for cleansing.    A neat and  substantial  gate-house
of  face  brick is  erected  over  the chamber, so as to protect the
gates from being interfered with by unauthorized persons.

                          WASTE-WEIR.
   The Waste-Weir is a structure designed to carry off the surplus
water into  the lower lake, and that its level in the conduit may be
so regulated as never to bring pressure upon  the masonry southerly
of the weir.   Owing to the very low  level and the  little difference
between the water within and without the conduit, the waste-weir
has been constructed of unusually ample dimensions, the over-falls
being five in number, and each six feet long.   The  chamber is like
the gate-chamber, constructed of brick and  cut granite masonry.
The flow over the weir is regulated by stop-gates, upon which, to
prevent the passage of fish,  copper wire  screens are placed.  It
is believed that this provision, with those  at the head-House, will
effectually prevent a recurrence of the recent difficulties caused by
eels passing into the conduit.

                          VENTILATOR.
   There is but one ventilator constructed  as such, as the gate-
houses, waste-weir, &c, serve  the  same purpose of permitting a
free circulation of air through the conduit at all times.  The im-
portance of such  a  cirqulation is only too  well shown in the im-
provement to  the water by the aeration thus afforded.   The ven-
tilator is of brick masonry, in plan being a six-pointed star with an
equivalent  diameter of six feet, and is ten feet high, the roof being
arranged to overhang, and the opening to the conduit protected, 
28
so that mischievous persons cannot readily introduce  anything to
fill up the conduit or injure the quality of the water.
   To admit of access to the conduit, man-holes are placed therein
every fifteen hundred feet.   These  are  curbed with granite with
iron  covers, and placed so that a covering of two and one half feet
of earth is over them; experience having shown  that any deyice
of locks is  no protection against interference by boys and others,
and  that the only means  of preventing the work being interfered
with, is to place the points of access out of sight, having them so
located  that the proper  custodians can at all  times readily  find
them.   The utility of these man-holes has  been  already shown,
and  I can only regret that they were not placed more frequently.

                         PIPE-CHAMBER.
   The Pipe-Chamber, on the northerly bank of the Mystic River,
receives the water from the conduit and it is from thence delivered
to the iron mains under the river.  It is constructed of hydraulic
brick masonry, and is interiorly divided into three portions, namely,
one receiving and two delivery chambers.    The  water  from the
conduit passes into the delivery-chamber, which is fitted with two
gates, of the same size and construction as those at the head gate-
house, which regulates the flow into the iron pipes.   This chamber
is  also  fitted with a drain, to admit of emptying the conduit  into
the Mystic River.   The drain is fitted with double gates three feet
square,  facing  in opposite directions, the outer being intended to
prevent any Inflow  of salt water  during high  tides, which some-
times rise above the level of the water in the conduit.  The inside
of arch  at the entrance of the conduit to the chamber is nine inches
above mean high water, and the spring tides rise at times one foot
and  three inches above this  level; the highest known storm  tide
rising three feet and three inches above it.  . The level intended and
recommended was that of spring tides.  The two delivery-chambers,
as an additional protection against eels or other fish finding their way
to the pump-well, are fitted with copper screens, so that should by
any  possible accident fish find their way  into the  conduit,  they 
29
cannot pass  beyond  the pipe-chamber.   These screens are in
double sets, so that one can be removed for cleaning without dis-
turbing the other.
   The foundation  of the pipe-chamber was, like some portions of
the conduit, in  a bad  quicksand  formation, and the bottom to re-
ceive the  masonry was only obtained by sinking, one at a  time,
small wooden caissons, which could be rapidly emptied of  the sand
arid as quickly filled with concrete.  In this manner a stable  foun-
dation was  at last  obtained, and,  although a slight settlement was
observed in one  corner shortly after completion, it is now believed
to be in good  condition, recent examination showing no change.
A neat gate-house  of brick is constructed over the chamber.   At
the pipe-chamber  all that portion of the works intended to  serve
the water by gravitation as a canal or without pressure ceases.

             CAST-IRON MAINS UNDER  MYSTIC  RIVER.
   To convey the water from the pipe-chamber to  the engine-
house pump-well two iron mains 487 feet long and three feet inside
diameter are used, and to meet the requirements of the act, these
pass  under the bed of the Mystic.  To admit of their thus  being
laid,  required that they should be placed  11  fe*et below mean high
tide, and although a continuation of the gravitation portion of the
works, they thus necessarily come under pressure.   These  pipes
were placed in position by means  of a coffer  dam, occupying one
half  of the river at a time, and are  laid and thoroughly incased in
concrete masonry.   One of these pipes will, with the  difference of
head between it and the conduit, deliver more than that will sup-
ply ; yet  to provide  against  accident  two are provided.  Every
precaution has  been  used  in this construction  to  guard against
damage by settlement, and where the pipes pass into and through
the engine-house, brick arches are  erected over them to prevent any
weight of either building or engines from affecting them.   These
mains are  protected from immediate corrosive action, as are all the
iron pipes  used in the works, by being immersed, when  heated to
 300° F.,in a bath of coal-tar pitch, distilled until the naphtha was
                 3* 
30
removed, and the  material  deodorized.  The pipe  and coal  tar
were of the same  temperature, the heating of the iron so opening
the molecules that the tar was more or less absorbed and retained
by the exterior particles of iron.
   To connect the two portions of the  work divided  by the  Mystic
River, a pile bridge is erected across the same, and directly over the
iron mains.   It is  a substantial structure, and serves as an effectual
protection to the mains from any injury by boats.  Where the mains
enter the pump-well at  the engine-house, the gravitation  portion
of the work ends, and that of pumping begins.  Down to this point
the capacity  of the work is  35,000,000  gallons in  twenty-four
hours.
                ENGINE-HOUSE, PUMP-WELL, &C
   The Engine-House is situated on the southerly bank  and about
200 feet from the Mystic River, being some 600 feet south-easter-
ly from the junction of the Alwive stream with the Mystic.  This
stream  is the outlet  of Fresh, Spy,  and Little  Ponds, and the
watercourses  of the whole basin here  unite on their way to the
ocean.' It is pleasantly located on the  northerly slope  of Walnut
Hill, in Somerville, and surrounded by ample  grounds, having a
frontage on the river.  It  embraces, under one roof, the pump-well,
boiler  and engine-rooms, and  repair-shop, and  is a neat and sub-
stantial edifice, constructed of face brick and freestone 88 feet long
by 57 wide.   It is designed at present to accommodate two sets
of engines and  boilers, and  with reference to future  extension
when the  wants of the city shall require an increase  of pumping
power.   The boiler-room is on a level four feet below  the engine
floor, and over it is the repair-shop, store-room, &c.   The  engine-
room is  neatly fitted up  with linings  of  dark-colored chestnut,
with heavy doors of black  walnut, and when carpeted as designed,
on the  completion  of the second  engine, will be one of the most
complete and convenient of its kind in the country.   The chim-
ney, an ornamental buttressed stack,  is  located on  the southerly
side, opposite the middle of the  building, and 16  feet  therefrom.
It is of brick masonry, 105 feet high, starting from a granite base 
31
15 feet square, with walls  three  feet thick, and commencing at a
point five feet below the ground level.  It consists of two shafts, the
inner or smoke shaft being entirely separate and distinct from the
outer, to prevent the  effects of expansion from the heat from the
boilers, with which it is connected by a flue passing in front there-
of and  under the  boiler-room floor.   The smoke-flue  is 3i feet
in diameter, sub-drained to prevent condensation, and is carried up
80 feet.  The mouldings  and top  projections  are  covered with
copper.
                          PUMP-WELL.
   The Pump-Well is located on the southerly side and  under the
engine-room.   It  is 30 feet long, 11 feet wide, and 14 feet deep.
Its capacity, when at the usual pumping level, is 26,000 gallons.
The well is sunk down to and into the ledge, which is  covered with
concrete to prevent leakage through seams and fissures, and upon
this a  layer of hard-burned paving bricks is laid edgewise.  A
small sub-well is sunk  to a  still greater depth, to  admit of com-
pletely drying the  well, for which purpose the feed-engine has been
fitted with  the  required  extra suction, strainers, &c.  The side
walls are of rubble masonry lined with hydraulic brick masonry three
feet thick at bottom, and two feet at top.  A favorable opportunity
has  recently occurred for  a thorough  examination of this work,
when it was found to  be in  good condition, without any leak, and
in every respect giving promise of properly performing  its allotted
part in the  system of  works.  The  drainage of surface water is
not as  complete as is desirable ; from the interior  of the building
however,  the drains  answer in  every respect the  purposes  for
which   they  were designed.   The engine-house  was  completed
under  a contract with Messrs. W. W. Bray and John B. Wilson,
whose  skill in such matters is well known, and will I trust long re-
main to bear testimony to the fidelity of the execution.

                      PUMPING  ENGINES.
   These portions  of the Water  Works  may perhaps be deemed
the most  important;  for no matter  how admirably all our  other 
32
parts may be adjusted, devised, or constructed,  they are of no
avail if this  portion of the work should cease to operate.  The
engines adopted, and one of which is now in daily operation, are
known  as  the " Worthington Duplex  Pumping  Engines," con-
structed by their  inventor, H.  R. Worthington, of New York.
They are direct-acting horizontal engines, arranged  in pairs, the
valves  of one being operated  by motion from the other, so regu-
lated that before one engine has ceased its stroke that of the other
has begun.  The steam is used expansively, passing from the high
into  a  low-pressure cylinder  and  expanding through  the  stroke,
the steam piston-rod connecting directly with the  pump cylinders.
The principal dimensions &c, are,
Low Pressure Cylinders .	.		43fV inches.
High " "			. 25 "
Pump "	.		22 "
Total length of stroke		•	. 48 "
When pumping, the maximum required quantity the			
No. of strokes per minute is	.	.	. 44
Steam pressure .	.		45 lbs.
Vacuum	•	■	. 26 inches.
The boilers are cylindrical, multitubular,		the	.
Diameter	. .	(	5 feet, 3 inches
Length ....	.	,	16 "
Size of tubes .	,		3 inches.
No. " " ...	,	t	80
  The water is discharged from the pumps to a delivery-cham-
ber at the end  of the force-main,  and passes, owing  to the  ar-
rangement of continuous motion, in a constant stream, without any
concussion or slamming of valves.
  This  type of engine and  pump combined was  recommended
after  a  personal examination of the principal pumping engines in 
33
 use in this country, as one that would, it was believed, insure  the
 best  average annual performance of " duty" interest on cost and
 depreciation being  considered, and was of such simplicity of con-
 struction as would  admit of ease and safety in management.
   Engines  of this  kind, but of comparatively small size had been
 constructed for  some  other works, but none of them on a scale at
 all approaching  to  our  requirements.   The evidence afforded in
 the  case  of the  Cambridge engine was the only reliable data that
 could be obtained, but this was extremely favorable.   That engine
 was quite small,  and it was the prevalent opinion that its admirable
 performance of  " duty " * could not  be  obtained upon  a larger
 scale  on  the same  principle  of construction.   Mr.  Worthington
 was of the opinion  that duty could be excelled, and entered into a
 contract, guaranteeing to equal the performance of any engine in
 this  country.  His agreement being to  construct  two  Duplex
 Pumping Engines, each capable of elevating in 24 hours  5,000,-
 000 gallons  of water  (U. S.  standard) 147 feet high, and  deliv-
 ering into the Walnut Hill Reservoir through a  30-inch pipe 3,300
 feet long.   I  am gratified to  be  able  to state,  at  this  early day,
 and before the engines have  been completely fitted Tis  intended,
 that this guarantee  has been fulfilled, as will be seen by reference
 to the tables  of performance of other engines, and  of that of the

  * The term " duty " is applied to mean the actual weight of water raised by a given
 amount of fuel.  Suppose an engine to raise 400,000  lbs. of water 100 feet high with
 100 lbs. of coal.  This would of course equal the raising 100 times as much one foot
 high, or 40 millions, and that will be the " duty."  Up to thfe present time the peculiar
 form of pumping engine known as the  " Cornish " has constantly maintained its supe-
 riority, and were it as applicable to the service of supplying towns as it is to deep mining,
 the question of the best form of pumping engine would scarcely have been raised.
 Being however intermittent in its action, a stand-pipe becomes necessary to avert  the
 evils  incurred  in constantly starting and stopping the long column of water in the
 forcing main. It is also liable to dangerous irregularities of motion, and to concussions
 which constantly threaten the safety of the engine, and requires the most anxious and
 constant attention on the part of the engineer.
  With these and other defects  it still  stands in great favor with many eminent
authorities, and always shows a high rate of duty.  The crank engine, under various
modifications, has been its chief competitor, but  as yet, so  far as exhibited in this
country, without reaching its economic excellence. 
34
Worthington in January and February, 1865.  The difference in
coal consumption, as shown in the February working, is due to the
more  complete covering of the steam cylinders and pipes, and
some modifications of the fire surfaces of the boiler.
  The construction  of  the Worthington engine is  such as not to
require massive and expensive foundations; being extremely com-
pact and working horizontally, they  require but little more than
sufficient to support their weight; and the entire cost of our engine
and pumps will not equal that required for the foundations of  the
Jersey City Works for engines and pumps of a less capacity.  The
appurtenances of the engine, boilers, feed-pumps,  hot-well, pipe-
work, &c, are all of a character that reflect great credit upon  the
builders, being of a high order of  workmanship and of ample  ca-
pacity.

                          FORCE-MAIN.
  From the engine to the  influent-chamber the water  is conveyed
through  an iron  main  30  inches  in diameter, and 3,277 feet in
length. ' This main, for  a distance  of 2,100 feet, is  laid with solid
lead joints, <5aulked inside and out, and is connected with the force-
pipe of the second engine by means  of a Y, so that either or both
engines can use the same main.  The main  starts  at  the engine,
at  a level of  16.5 feet above tide  water, and the  grade is a
gradual rise from the same to the  reservoir.  Near the engine-
house  the two pipes before, and  at  the connection,  pass in em-
bankment.  They are laid  on solid  rubble masonry,  with flanged
joints,  and are fitted each with check-valves and  blow-off,  and
are also arranged  to supply  a fire-hydrant at the same place.
This fire-hydrant, being  placed in a commanding position at the top
of  the embankment, is designed  to  provide  more  particularly
against exterior fire, and the removal of a few stop-plank  at  the
reservoir will  give it many hours'  supply, with a head of 124
feet.
  From  the engine-house to  South street a roadway 40 feet wide
is constructed to provide access to the works.  The  main is  laid 
35
   for about half its length under this way, the deflection eastward of
   the street to avoid the rise of the hill, rendering unadvisable its
   being laid thereon,  as  it  required an  increase of length and is
   detrimental  to the alignement.  As the  heavy teaming, coals and
   supplies of all kinds, will  pass over this street, it has  been well
   drained and Macadamized, and opens a right of way to many valu-
   able building  sites on the  northerly slope  of Walnut Hill.   The
   force-main delivers the water  at  the middle of the easterly em-
   bankment of the reservoir into the influent-chamber.

                             RESERVOIR.
     The Reservoir is on Walnut Hill, in Medford, near Tufts'  Col-
   lege.   It  is both receiving and distributing, — its nearness to the
   city rendering 'unnecessary any other for keeping  up the supply
   at all times.  Its location  is  peculiarly favorable, as it lies in a
   direct line between the lake and Charlestown, and is the only emi-
   nence of sufficient height, within a circuit of several miles, admit-
   ting of obtaining the desired head ;  its  position and height in fact
   rendering it the most desirable site for supplying any of  the towns
   lying between the Charles  and the northerly slope of the Mystic
   River.  It has been  constructed with much care ; the natural soil,
   clay with  an  admixture  of sand in just the proper proportions,
   being one of the  best known for the construction of earthen em-
   bankments calculated to hold water.   Its water surface covers an
   area of 4i  acres, being in shape nearly  a parallelogram with a
   length of about 560  feet, and a width of 350 feet.   It is  divided
   into two portions, nearly equal in  area and content, by a partition
   wall, the top of which is five feet below high-water line, so that when
   filled, or not drawn down five feet, the reservoir has the appearance
•  of one large  basin.   It  is  25 feet in depth, the top line of bank
   being three feet above high-water mark.   At this level the capacity
   is 26,244,415 U. S.  standard gallons; below the level of the par-
   tition wall the united capacity of the  two divisions  is about  19,-
   000,000 gallons.   The embankments were made with great care,
   the  excavated material carefully compacted, being placed in the 
36
 work in layers of some six inches wetted and rolled with grooved-
 rollers, and compressed by the teams; they are believed to be im-
 pervious to the passage of water.   The footings where the old soil
 and new meet  are stepped, so that a continuous surface line is
 everywhere avoided.   The slopes inside are  lined with a puddled
 walling two feet thick, which is covered with a facing of eight inches
 of brickwork up to a line 4J feet from the top, where  the lining is
 faced and  coped with cut granite masonry.   This last is  laid in
 three courses of eighteen inches each, with  projecting coping two
 feet wide.   The inside of the top  of the  brickwork has a slope of
 one  and one half feet horizontal to one vertical, the granite mason-
 ry having a slope of three inches to one foot.   The exterior slopes
 are  one and  one  half to one, and are intended to be soiled and
 sodded.   The partition wall  has slopes of one  to one, faced and
 covered with brickwork, and  backed with  puddled walls  two feet
 thick.   The division of the reservoir into two parts is designed to
 promote subsidence, and facilitate repairs and cleansing.  The top
 water line is 147 feet, and the bottom 124 feet above  high-water
 level of the harbor, and  is so  arranged  that the water is always
 drawn four feet from the  bottom, this lower basin serving as a de-
 positing area for much of the impurities that would otherwise be
 carried into the city pipes and there be distributed.   The bottom
 of the reservoir is puddled and covered with  concrete three inches
 thick.   The footing and  base of the  brickwork has a foundation
 and  backing also of concrete masonry.  The embankments are 19£
 feet wide on top, and are laid out with a gravel walk eight feet wide.
 A handsome roadway about forty feet wide passes around three sides
 of the reservoir, at the foot of the embankment, and materially im-
 proves the  appearance of the whole work.  The grounds  on the
westerly and southerly sides are too limited, those on the easterly  «
being ample, and when laid  out will  tend to render  attractive a
locality that will sooner or later become a place of resort.

  The appurtenances of the reservoir are the influent, effluent,
and drain chambers, the delivery and drain pipes. 
37
                      INFLUENT CHAMBER.
   The Influent Chamber is located within the  easterly embank-
ment opposite the partition wall, and, as its name denotes, receives
the water  from the force-main.   It is constructed of  hydraulic
brick masonry with cut granite  coping, sills, and covering.   It is
arranged so that the supply is fed to each reservoir separately, by
means of circular  brick galleries 2£  feet in diameter, and which
enter at the angles made by the  partition wall with the eastern
slope.  These corners  are  made  into flat water-ways reaching to
the bottom, and protected from wash with coverings of North River
flagging stone.  The flow into the brick  gallery is regulated by
stop-gates, and can be cut off from both so as to pass directly
through a  30-inch  pipe to  the effluent chamber.  This pipe is of
iron and cement, and is partially laid through a  portion  of the
easterly and  southerly embankments, entering at  the effluent
chamber a small well made  to receive it.
   The  30-inch delivery pipes, of iron  and cement, are  laid upon
the  bottom of  the reservoir and covered with hydraulic cement
mortar.  They are so  arranged that the water can be drawn to
the  effluent chamber from  either or both divisions of the  reser-
voir, or cut off from both.
   Jhe drain-pipes  of 12 inches, of the same material, are similar-
ly arranged, but convey the  water in an opposite direction to South
•Street.   They are  regulated by stop-gates  enclosed in a chamber
of brick and stone masonry, on the northerly side of the reservoir.
The drain-pipes are laid under the  bottom, which in each division
has a fall of six inches  to the drain inlets.

                     EFFLUENT CHAMBER.
   The Effluent Chamber is situated  on the exterior slope  of the
southerly embankment,  and  is  of  hydraulic brick and cut granite
masonry.   It  is one of the most substantial structures upon the
works ;  the top of  foundations start on a level with  the  bottom of
the reservoir.   It is in  three divisions called  the  receiving, the
well, and delivery-gate  chamber.
                4 
38
   The  receiving  gate-chamber contains  the 30-inch stop-gates,
which regulate the flow from  the  delivery  pipe to the well-cham-
ber.  These  gates  are quite massive  and will  be operated with
proper gearing from the upper floor.
   The well and screen chambers  form the middle division of the
building, and can be divided into three parts, by means of stop
plank, so that any one portion can be repaired or cleaned without
affecting the  supply of water to the city.  The well is designed to
contain double sets of copper screens for each part, though at present
but one division is used.   The water in the well stands at the same
level as in  the reservoir, and, after passing the screens, enters the
24-inch pipe^n the delivery gate-chamber.
   This  chamber is designed for three' lines of pipes, though  but
one  is  now  laid.   The  24-inch gates here  regulate the flow of
water to the  city, and will be operated in the same manner as  the
30-inch gates.  The flooring of the building is designed  to be of
iron and glass, but at present is not completed.   Over the cham-
ber a handsome gate-house has been erected,  constructed of face
brick and sandstone.  From its position, it forms a prominent feat-
ure in the landscape, and from the observatory on top, a  fine view
of the  surrounding  country  is  obtained.   The  masonry of  the
reservoir was performed under the superintendence of Henry Dana,
of Charlestown ; it is considered one of the best works of the kind
in this country.

                       SUPPLY MAIN.
   The supply main from the reservoir to the Neck, in Charlestown,
is of cast iron, 24 inches in diameter, and delivers the water to
the distributing pipes in Charlestown and  Somerville.  This main
passes under the Boston and Lowell and over the Boston and Maine
Grand Junction and  Eastern Railroads.   It is  16,250  feet in
length, and holds  383,000 gallons, and will deliver at the Neck,
when the reservoir is filled to high-water mark, 10,000,000 U. S.
gallons in 24 hours.
  Two favorable opportunities occur for wasting the water from the 
39
main, —one at Medford Street in Medford, the  other  on Broad-
way, in  Somerville.   These wastes are fitted with all the  essential
stop-gates, and pipes, and  drain into the natural water-courses.
A second gate of 24 inches admits of the water being shut off near
the  Somerville blow-off.
   Some few leaks, mainly owing to defective pipe, have been dis-
covered, and, with one exception, repaired  before the  water was
delivered to  our citizens.  This occurred in a quicksand cut near
the convent grounds in Somerville, and, owing to the severity of the
weather, and the difficulty of excavating the treacherous quicksands
with so much water present, the  work  has been left until a warmer
and dryer season.  The flow from the leak is not great, and with
ordinary care no damage need ensue  therefrom.   The  main with
all its appurtenances appears to have been well laid, and  is daily
giving evidence  of its fitness for the work designed for it.  With
but  one  line  of pipe, it is desirable that as few connections should
be made with it as possible, as every such increases the liability to
accident, which would  occasion the water to be shut off from the city.
   Wherever the line  of aqueduct passes through the streets of
Medford or  Somerville, the  act  of the  Legislature  requires  that
hydrants shall be placed at distances not exceeding 500  feet
apart.   This has required the  placing of 17 fire hydrants, 14 of
which are connected with the main pipe, the remainder at present
laid being on the 8-inch pipe, which runs parallel with  the  mains
through a part of Broadway.  Stop-gates are placed in every hy-
drant pipe, so that in case of leaky valves they can be shut off from
the  main.   No water supply to  a city can be considered entirely
safe with but one line  of supply mains, and  as soon  therefore as
expedient a second main should  be laid.  Boston now has three
distinct lines.  Where  practicable, it is generally advisable to vary
the route; for where two lines of pipes are laid together, it is difficult,
in fact almost impossible, to ascertain, without shutting off the water,
in which line it occurs.  Whenever a  second line  of pipe is laid,
I would advise its being placed  through  private lands,  as distant
from the present line as the right of way will permit, and in high-
ways upon the opposite side of the street. 
40
                      CITY DISTRIBUTION.
  The City of Charlestown, in proportion to its area, has a greater
length of streets, ways and courts, than any city in this region.
Already well populated and increasing rapidly, it was deemed ad-
visable to  lay the distributing pipes .through every street and pub-
lic way that could not-in some equally convenient manner be sup-
plied with water.   Hence  the distribution is very general and the
policy pursued it is believed, will, by affording water to a greater
number of consumers, very much sooner produce an income from
the  works sufficient to meet the annual interest and cost of main-
tenance.
  A glance at  the map of the  city will show that the principal
region to be supplied is in shape something like an isosceles triangle,
with Chelsea Street as a base, Main and Medford Streets forming
the sides.   Bunker Hill Street  bisects  this triangle, while  trans-
versely Pearl with Salem, and Lexington with Winthrop, connect
the three lines.   The  principal mains passing through these streets
make a complete  water  circuit, while lines through  Chapman,
Washington, and Bow Streets provide for the region south-west of
Main Street, and complete a circuit through that locality.  From
these principal mains  the submains of 6 and 4 inches diameter pass
through the various streets, connecting at  all points wherever the
lines cross each other.   Should at any future time Chelsea and
East Boston be supplied, the  plan contemplates  a 20-inch pipe
through Medford  to  Chelsea Street connecting with the 20-inch
pipe now laid  therein.  This  again  connecting with  the  Main
Street pipe at  the City Square will make  a water circuit  in the
city ample in size for  all future demands.
  The pipes used  in the city, are 16, 10, 8, 6 and 4  inches in
diameter.   In some of the less important streets and courts, where
the demand will never  be large, a  small  amount  of 2-inch pipe
is  laid.   The 16-inch pipe in Main Street is  designed to connect
with the  20-inch Boston  pipe, so that, in case of  accident to the
works  in either city, a partial supply could be obtained.  The de- 
41
sign as practically carried  out has been to obtain the largest pos-
sible supply  at  any one point, and the  frequency of connections
over so  small  an area has admitted  of this, while a very small
amount of pipe, as compared with the population supplied, has been
required.  Of  the various sizes there has been laid in Charlestown
and Somerville: —
      16-inch,........5,206.3 feet.
      10  ".......     3,182.3  "
       8  "........20,871.0  "
       6  ".......34,215.6  "
       4  "........33,203.3  "
   Of this quantity 4,564.1 feet of 8-inch,  and 81.1 feet of 4-inch
pipe were laid  in Somerville;  and 2,392.4 feet  of 6-inch, and
682.4  feet of 4-inch at the McLean Asylum.
   The kind  of pipe that  should be  laid  for distribution  was a
subject of careful* consideration and investigation.   That  which
was adopted  is known as the wrought iron and cement pipe, manu-
factured by  the Jersey City Water and Gas Pipe Company.  At
the  time when  the  works  were  being designed, although  many
miles of this pipe had been laid in other places, yet in none had it
been adopted as a system for a whole city or town.   In fact, it had
been mostly  in country localities where the number of connections
were small, and where the streets were not filled with obstructions
of  sewers, drains,  and gas-pipes, and   many of  its  advocates
doubted  its reliability for city  service.   With but three  months of
use, it  is not  possible to rely upon our experience, and, as the adop-
tion of this pipe is by a very large number of our citizens still con-
sidered a novelty and experiment, it is but just that some  of  the
many reasons that led to its use should be given.   I therefore append
extracts from my previous reports on the subject. (Vide Appendix A.)
All of the work pertaining to the manufacture and laying of this pipe,
as well as the setting of all stop-gates and hydrants, in fact every-
thing to  place the pipe in readiness to receive the water, was per-
formed by the  Pipe Company, under  the  superintendence  of Mr.
Johnson  Davie, and it is  proper to say that their contracts have
                 4* 
42
been faithfully and  conscientiously performed, as  the very small
number of leaks in the pipes below 16 inches evince.  The whole
number of leaks in 16-J miles of pipes, was seven.  In the 16-inch
main, owing to imperfect workmanship in laying, trouble was had
with the joints; but at  present  the pipe appears to be  entirely
tight.
  The contract with  the company guarantees this 16-inch pipe for
two years, and should it not in every respect answer all the pur-
poses of a water conductor as well as iron, it is to be laid with cast-
iron pipe at the expense of the contractors.

                  STOP-GATES AND  HYDRANTS.
  Next in importance  to the pipes themselves is  the  means of
regulating the flow of the water through them. To the construc-
tion and placing of the stop-gates, great attention has been  paid,
so that economy in maintenance may be obtained  and subsequent
alterations avoided.   In the city  proper there  has been laid 269
gates of 4 inches and upward, 89 of which are in connection with
the  Lowry hydrants, and 180 are of the Coffin pattern.  Upon the
mains  and distributing pipes within  and without the city, there are
289 gates, giving  an average of  over thirteen  gates  per  mile.
By comparison with  other cities  when their works were  finished,
can we best judge of the completeness of our own system : —
                                                     per mile.
Boston,	1848	60 miles	pipage	532	S. G. 9
u	1852	100 "	a	897	" 9
Jersey City,	1854	20.4 "	a	121	" 6
Brooklyn,	1858	120 "	«	690	" 5.8
Louisville,	1861	25 "	»	191	" 4
  The stop-gates are all boxed and fitted with heavy street covers,
and are  large enough  for  the entrance  of men  for repairs or
oiling.
  The fire hydrants adopted for the city are  of the  kind known as
the "  Lowry Hydrant," and differ in very many respects from those
generally used in other cities.  They are 10 inches in diameter,
and are placed directly  on the mains  and generally at the inter- 
43
section with cross pipes.   By this means the greatest possible vol-
ume of water is secured, the.flow being equivalent to all the pipes
connected with  the  hydrant.  By this arrangement also, is com-
bined with the hydrant one or more stop-gates as may be required
for shutting off, if desired,  the water in the mains.  Each of these
hydrants is  so arranged that  they supply six hand-engines  or  four
steamers.   There are placed in  the  city 97 of these, which are
equivalent to 582 common hydrants.  There are also within the
city 4 hydrants  of the common pattern.   Without the city 25  of
the same style are connected with the works.  In addition to the
supply from our own works, there are  11 hydrants connected  with
the  Boston pipes.   I think  it safe to assume that the city is well
supplied with the means of extinguishing fires.   As soon as prac-
ticable the  old reservoirs  should be connected with the water sup-
ply, as  in  case of accident  to the main  line they could then be
resorted to.  It is but just, that the reasons assigned for adopting
so radical a change in the  hydrant system should be  given, and I
append extracts from my  reports recommending the same.   (Vide
Appendix B.)   The stop-gates and hydrants were constructed by
Messrs. A.  Sylvester & Co., and  were submitted to  the most rigid
■tests before acceptance.

                         SERVICE PIPES.
   The pipes from the  mains  to supply the consumers  are generally
of lead, of  sizes from i to 2  inches diameter.  They are laid  from
the mains to two feet beyond the line of the street at the  expense
of the city.  This course, while it creates a considerable increased
expenditure at  the  outset, induces  a more  general  taking of the
water, and  consequent  increase of  income.   To  avoid  digging
down or disturbing  the main pipe, a stop-cock is inserted in the
service-pipe, for letting on  or  shutting off the water, just within
the line  of the curb-stone.   These are all fitted with  wastes, so
that in shutting off,  the house pipes are completely drained.  The
services  have been  laid by  Mr. Alexander Campbell,  and in no
instance  has a leak been discovered at the junctions with the main
pipes, — the point at which the most difficulty was apprehended. 
44
                           METERS.
  Wherever the consumption of water is large, the  measurement
by metre cannot be too strongly recommended, and their gradual
introduction is advisable.   Until such  time as the action of our
water upon the " iron meter " is fully known, I cannot advise large
purchases, as the experience of Boston with nearly similar water
is not at all satisfactory.  The present number on hand and placed
in the works is fourteen.
  Of the many sources of waste, there are two to which I would at
this early day respectfully call the attention of the Board, namely,
hopper water-closets and yard hydrants.    The first should not be
allowed without waste-preventers.   The use of the last should not
be allowed at all.
  The constant liability of house-fixtures to  get out of order is
noticeable, and in this connection I would urge upon the Board
that they require the  use, by consumers, of compression cocks.
These  wear longer without  dripping, and prevent the water-ham-
mer, which is liable to strain the pipes and produce leaks.   Urinals
should have self-acting valves.
  It may seem premature and unnecessary, so early in the history
of our works, to allude to the subject of waste, since, as I hav£
shown, our works are so ample in capacity; yet, when it is impos-
sible to take up the report of any other  Water Works, especially
those of long  standing, without finding  repeated allusions to the
recklessness which seems to pervade their communities in regard
to the  consumption of  water, we cannot but feel that our citizens
should bear in mind that, ample  though our work may be, still each
drop of water has a money value.   It does  not flow from the ample
source to its elevated site  on Walnut Hill  of its  own accord, but
must be  pumped there  at a cost, an annual cost, that must continue
for all  time, and for which all are directly or indirectly taxed, so
that any one saving in  consumption, is a  saving to all our citizens.
                           FOUNTAIN.
  But one public Fountain has as yet been constructed.   This is
located in the centre of Winthrop Square,  and forms  an attractive 
                              45

improvement to that locality.   At present it consists of a  circular
basin with a plain cut-granite curbing 37 feet in  diameter, and is
furnished with the necessary fittings for receiving different jet-
pieces.   These  are  so  made  as to fit the various  Boston patterns,
and, upon the occasion of our recent celebration,  their  various
forms were kindly loaned us  for use.   Owing to the frictional re-
sistance of the small pipes leading to the  fountain, the  jet is  not
so high as  many anticipated, yet  the  10-inch stream rose to  a
height of more than 80 feet; and, ^vith a full reservoir, will reach
90 or more.
   With so few public squares, it is not probable  that  many foun-
tains will be erected by the city, and  I  trust the liberality of  our
citizens will be  shown, ere long, by placing in the centre of the
Winthrop Square basin an appropriate fountain.
   The work was constructed by Mr. Robert Wiley, is most  substan-
tially done ;  and  the utmost care has been taken to provide foun-
dations that will last forever.

                  ENGINEERS  AND CONTRACTORS.
   For convenience and to insure a proper supervision of construc-
tion, the engineering work was divided'into three portions, under
the direction  of David W. Cunningham, Esq., as principal assis-
tant.  The northerly division, embracing the lake, dam, and con-
duit, was in charge of Mr.  Charles E. Fogg, as resident engineer.
The southerly division  included the engine-house', iron pipes and
reservoir, and was in charge  of Mr.  M. G. Grant, while the  city
distribution was in  charge of Warren  Stetson  and Charles H.
Swan.  To all of these gentlemen and their assistants I would ex-
press my thanks  for the  skill and fidelity with which they  per-
formed  their  varied  duties, and  for  their hearty cooperation  in
carrying out  my plans, by which the successful completion of the
work has been much promoted.
   The contracts for the greater part of the work were  awarded in
1862, after a careful examination as to the skill and reliability of
the several parties. 
46
   They were as follows: —
Dam,           ^
Conduit,         I
r,               > eTames McDonald, of  Albany.
Reservoir,       |                  '         J
Iron pipe laying, j
Iron pipes and castings, Warren Foundery, New Jersey.
Iron and cement pipes, ) Patent Water and  Gas Pipe Company,
Laying ditto,          )      New Jersey.
Hydrants and stop-cocks,   A. Sylvester & Co., Boston.
Pumping-engines,   H. R. Worthington, New York.
Engine-house,      W. W. Bray and J. B. Wilson, Charlestown.

   To Mr. McDonald  was awarded the largest amount of work
given to any one contractor.  In a contract in which labor was so
large an  element,  based upon  prices extant in  1862, it is  not
strange that early in 1863 it became evident,  from  the  great rise
in price of everything entering into his contract, that not only was
he likely to be deprived of the reasonable and  ordinary profit upon
his undertaking, but was liable to become a heavy loser should  he
continue the work.   With a perseverance and skill most heartily to
be commended, when  partially relieved by the Commissioners, he
continued to freely give to the work his valuable labor and super-
intendence.   Conduct so  honorable and praiseworthy is deserving
the thanks of all, and most cheerfully do I accord to him  my
thanks for the valuable assistance he has, and always was, so will-
ing to render.
  It is specially gratifying to accord to  all  the contractors my
thanks for the  energetic  manner  in which they have  performed
their agreements, and to state that we were fortunate  in meeting
with men who,  in such trying  times, have so  faithfully performed
their engagements.

                   CHANGES IN  THE WORKS.
   Since  the  works were  originally designed very many and im-
portant changes have from time to  time been made ;  and which, 
                              47

 aside from the difficulties occasioned by the extraordinary financial
 condition of the country, have been the means of largely enhanc-
 ing the cost of the works.   Their size has been increased, while
 the character of the work has been improved, — changes that en-
 hance its value and add to  its permanence.
    Some of the most important of  these changes are the extension
 of the sheet-piling, concrete foundation and wing walls at the dam ;
 more  complete  grubbing and clearing;  increased  size  of gate-
 houses, and more expensive masonry and  fittings; increased size
 of conduit and foundations ;  extraordinary pumping for low grade
 of conduit; increase in 36-inch mains; bridge, &c; engine-house
 of greater capacity, and more expensive  style ; lowering  Mystic
(River; increased length of force-main ; increased size and height
 of reservoir, and changes in character of masonry and changes in
 character and size of  gate-houses and appurtenances ; extension
 of and more  expensive distribution.    Add  to these the cost from
 delays and the  enormously enhanced  price of all labor  and ma-
 terials, and the increase in  the cost  of the works  is readily ac-
 counted for.   It is satisfactory, however, to be  able to state, that
 notwithstanding the apparently heavy outlay, the  cost  of  the
 works per million gallons of capacity, is less than one half of any
 pumping work yet constructed in this country.
Cities.	O a <H,_0 . a o	Cost.	p. o a ■» a o a •<	° * ."S >* P.a>	* a •a _ » 111 c O	Capacity per 24 hours in Gallons.	"3 • ■3 | P. 3 p. S ft	Cost per Million Galls.
		DOLLARS.					DOLLS.	DOLLS.
New York . . .	1842	13,000,000		175,000,000	340,000	40,000,000	38.20	300,000
Boston.....	1848	5,200,000	60.0	136,000,000	135,000	15,000,000	38.50	346,666
Brooklyn ....	1859	5,000,000	12.0	175,000,000	270,000	30,000,000	18.51	166,666
Jersey City . . .	1855	750,000	20.1	55,000,000	23,000	2,000,000	30.60	375,000
Hartford ....	1856	385,000	23.8		23,000	1,800,000	16.74	213,900
Cambridge . . .	1856	250,000	14.5	1,764,000	22,000	1,500,000	11.36	166,666
Charlestown . .	1864	800,000	24.0	26,000,000	30,000	10,000,000	26.66	80,000
 
48
                         MAINTENANCE.
   The works  having been constructed with  special reference  to
 permanence and economy of maintenance, it  is believed  that the
 annual cost of management and repairs need  be but small as com-
 pared with many works of less size.  Until such time as one engine
 can be more constantly pumping, it must be done  at a loss of all
' fuel used in rebuilding fires, banking, &c.   But it is gratifying to
 know that as the consumption increases, the comparative cost of
 pumping is on the decrease.   At  present the city consumption is
 about 650,000  gallons per day, but  during  the summer of  1865
 the consumption will probably increase to nearly or quite 1,000,-
 000 gallons per day, and it would be well not  to base any estimate
 .of cost upon a less quantity.
   At the present writing, the works generally are  in a satisfactory
 condition.  In  the  spring there will  be some repairs  and the un-
 finished construction should be completed.

              SUPPLY OF WATER  TO OTHER CITIES.
   It will  be seen that the Charlestown Water Works consist of a
 source capable of furnishing 30,000,000 gallons daily ;  that that
 quantity can be brought by gravity to  the  elevating power ;  that
 with the two engines the present works have a capacity of furnishing
 10,000,000 gallons per day ; that the City  of Charlestown cannot,
 within its  present territorial limits, have use for more than 5,000,-
 000 gallons  daily,  and  consequently can  readily supply some of
 the neighboring towns and cities.   In  adopting the only available
 source of a water-supply  for a large tract of country, it was deemed
 advisable  to construct the works on a  scale ample for the City of
 Charlestown, and  to meet the probable wants of Chelsea, East
 . Boston  and the towns through which the line of aqueduct passes.
 In  the  design  the  future supply  of  these places has been con-
 sidered, and the works  built  with reference thereto.   Since the
 opening of the  works, application for the use  of the surplus water
 has been made  by the cities  of Cambridge  and Chelsea, while the 
49
distributing pipes are  already  laid in  portions of  Somerville.
Should a supply be granted to Cambridge, it will necessitate, in
the future, either an increase of the source, or some portion of the
other localities now estimated as to be supplied must be otherwise
provided  for.   To  increase  the supply  at  the  source,  we  have
the lower Mystic  Lake.  By bringing the waters of Spy, Little,
and Fresh Ponds down through the  depression of the Alwive stream
to the pumping engines at  the  Mystic  River, we  can obtain  an
additional supply, probably sufficient to meet the prospective wants
of Cambridge.
   In conclusion, I beg  leave to congratulate the Board upon the
accomplishment of the work for which we have so long labored.
                   Respectfully submitted,
                            C. L. STEVENSON,
                                    Chief Engineer, C.  W. W.
                 5 
t 
APPENDIX.
                               A.
   Extracts from Report of C. L. Stevenson, on Pipe System.
   " The continued  delivery through the pipes, it must be under-
 stood, depends upon the material  of which  they are made.  If of
 iron, unprotected from corrosion, they will in a very few years de-
 liver from  twenty to thirty per cent, less water.   The use of iron
 pipes has been, until of late years, almost universal; habit and the
 facility of  manufacture causing its use to be  continued  in many
 places, notwithstanding its known defects, and as  the public  gen-
 erally,  more  from habit and custom, seem to think there  can be no
 other proper water-conductor, it may be well to recite them.   The
 principal objections  are, — Liability to  be  destroyed  in time by
 oxidation and tuber<Julation ; the loss of capacity and discoloration
 of the water  from the same cause ; the cost of the material and of
 lead jointing, and difficulty of removal, while  its weight involves
 items of expense for transporting and  handling freight, distribut-
 ing  on  line of work, and  labor in laying.   The  defects arising
 from the action of the water in producing oxidation have been so
 thoroughly investigated by other authorities, that extracts from
 their reports  will fully explain them.
   " The attention of the Boston Water Board was early called 'to
 the subject, and in a report made  in 1852, they say : —

   " ' But,  with regard to the accretions, their growth has been more
rapid and  important;  so  much so, that our  36-inch and 30-inch
mains have become already, in  consequence of the actual diminu- 
52
tion of their areas, and also of the additional friction which has
been occasioned, scarcely superior in capacity to these of 34 and
28 inches, having a clean surface ;  and we have had sufficient ex-
perience on the subject to convince us of the impolicy of making
use of wrought iron service-pipes at all, or of cast iron ones of
less than 4 inches in diameter.'

   "M. Vicat, in 1833, by order of the Council of Grenoble, in  a
report given in the transactions of the French Academy of Sciences
thus speaks of the filling up of the  large cast iron main of the
Chdteau d'Eau.

  " The formation of numerous tubercles of hydroxide of iron began
to show itself, shortly after the water was let on, by a  perceptible
though slight diminution of the discharge.  The development of the
accretions, however, as was proved by many accurate measurements,
soon increased so much that the supply of the Chdteau, which  had
been, in 1826, about 1,400 litres (about 370 wine gallons) a minute,
was gradually reduced, in 1833, to 720 litres (about 190 wine
gallons), showing a loss of nearly one-half.  Two members of the
Commission, Messrs. Guemard and Vicat, engineers-in-chief, being
persuaded that the tubercles were  formed a^ the expense of the
castings,  applied themselves  to  the discovery of  some  coating
which would be, at the same time, cheap, indestructible, and capa-
ble of preventing  oxidation.   After two years of experiments, they
considered it  sufficiently proved that  hydraulic cement is, of all
compositions combining facility of application and  cheapness, that
which adheres best to the  casting, is the most  indestructible,  and
prevents  most effectually all oxidation and consequent formation of
the tubercles.
  " In 1837, the subject  attracted  the  attention  of the  British
Association for the Advancement of Science ; and, under its aus-
pices, a very elaborate investigation of the action of air and water,
whether fresh or  salt, clear  or foul, and at  various  temperatures,
upon cast iron, wrought iron  and steel, was commenced by  Mr. 
53
Robert Mallet.  Mr. Mallet  commenced in 1838, and continued
until the  year 1843, a very complete  course  of experiments  on
the subject.
   " He found that any sort of iron, cast or wrought, corrodes when
exposed to the action of water holding air in combination, in one or
other or some combination of the following forms ; namely, 1.  Uni-
formly, or when the whole surface of the iron is covered uniformly
with  a coat of rust, requiring to be  scraped off, and leaving a
smooth red surface after it.  2. Uniformly with  plumbago, where
the surface, as before uniformly corroded, is  found in some places
covered with plumbagenous matter, leaving a  piebald surface of
red and black after it.   3. Locally, or only, rusted in some places,
and free from  rust in  others.  4. Locally pitted, where the sur-
face is left as in the last case; but the metal  is found unequally
removed to a greater or less depth.   5. Tubercular, when the whole
of the rust, which has taken place at every point of the specimen,
has been transferred to  one or more particular points of its sur-
face, and has there formed large projecting tubercles, leaving the
rest bare.
   " Fresh water may hold as much  combined air (not to speak of
carbonic acid) as to  act more rapidly than sea water.  Carbon, as
is known, exists in iron as diffused graphite in a crystalline form,
and as combined  carbon; the dark gray and  softer irons  contain
more of the former; the lighter and harder irons, more of the latter.
   " The rate of corrosion is a decreasing  one, at least when the
plumbago and rust first formed have been removed.
   " When, however, this coating remains untouched, the  rate is
much more nearly uniform, and is nearly proportional  to the time
of reaction, in given  conditions.   In some cases where the  coating
had been  removed, an increment in the rate had taken  place. And
it is observable that this uniformly took  place in those specimens
which had the smallest amount of corrosion at their first immer-
sion.   Thus  there was a tendency to a  greater equality in the in-
dex of corrosion in all the varieties of iron at the second than the
first immersion.
                 5* 
54
  " The size and perhaps the form of iron-casting forms  one ele-
ment of their rate of corrosion in water ;  because the thinner cast-
ings, having cooled much faster and more irregularly than the thick-
er, are  much  less homogeneous,  and  contain  veins and patches
harder than the  rest of their substance: hence the formation of
voltaic couples and accelerated corrosion.
  " He estimates that from three-tenths to four-tenths of an inch
in depth of cast iron one  inch thick, and about six-tenths of an
inch of wrought iron,  will  be  destroyed  in a century  in  clear
water.
  " The subsequent  experiments throw no new light on the cause
and  nature of this singular phenomenon.  They show,  however,
that the  same effect is produced by the action of fresh water and
air; and this is too well  corroborated by our own experience.
  " The important problem of  preventing the  corrosive  action of
the water,  by  coating the interior surface of the pipe,  was a prin-
cipal object of Mr. Mallet's experiments.
  " The various results  of Mr.  Mallet's Experiments are  exhibited
in a full series of tables, which  present to the engineer,  as he
thinks, ' sufficient data to enable him to predict the term of dura-  .
bility, and allow for the loss by corrosion of iron in  all conditions,
when entering into his %struc hires.'  The last information to which
we shall  refer on this subject is contained in a paper on ' Tubercles
in Iron  Pipes, by M. Gaudin,  Engineer of Bridges and Roads,'
published in  the ' Annales des Pontes et Chaussees, for  Novem-
ber  and December, 1851.'  He  states  that the iron conduit at
Cherbourg, constructed between the years 1836 and 1838, of white
castings, nearly one and a half miles long, had become everywhere
coated with tubercles, which in some  places had an  elevation of
from 1.575 to 1.968 inches ; so that the orifice of the pipe, which
was, when laid,  about seven inches in diameter, had been reduced
to less than one-third its original section.
  " The consequence of the diminution of the orifice,  joined to
the enormous loss of head occasioned by the  additional friction,
had  deprived many of the workshops at the end  of  the conduit 
55
of a supply, prevented the simultaneous playing of the fountains,
and  made  the supply of the  grand reservoir  impossible, or  very
feeble.
   " The tubercles were very broad at their base,* and very strong-
ly adhering to the surface of the pipe ; and could not be removed
except by heating the pipe to a red  heat, or by a forcible action
of an instrument.  They were of a greenish-brown color, and tes-
taceous structure, and, on exposure  to the  air, assumed the  color
of yellow ochre, — a sure sign of the oxidation of part of the iron
which  entered into their composition.   Their density was  almost
3,362.   He  considered it  certain that the iron in  the tubercles
was to be attributed exclusively to an alteration which  had  taken
place in the pipes themselves, no matter what the  casting might
be, whether white or gray.
   " In  reference to  the  obtaining some remedy for  the evil, he
observes, that waters most pure and proper for the ordinary neces-
sities of life afford no exemption; since it appears invariable, that
the tubercles  are in  an especial  manner developed  by the  pres-
ence of  a very small quantity of sea-salt, which almost all waters
contain;  and that chemists and  engineers have therefore recom-
mended the forcing of linseed-oil by great pressure into the metal,
and also coatings of mortars and hydraulic cements and bituminous
coverings.-
   " Undoubtedly, the most important change  which takes place
on the inner surface  of the  pipes, as far as relates to any immedi-
ate results, is the production of the accretions.  The formation of
plumbago, or something like  it, in  the place of iron  which has
been absorbed, does not, indeed, protect  the metal beneath  it;
and the  action continues, perhaps, even with a slightly accelerated
force."  '

   After a  careful  examination of  the  Boston pipes, Professor
Horsford says,  among  other  things: —
   " There are reasons for believing the slight elevations of surface,
observed immediately beneath the accretions, to be due  to changes 
56
in the texture- of the iron arising from the growth of the accretions,
and  not  to  an original irregularity of the  casting;  and, further,
for believing that  the  accretions are indebted for their iron to the
surface  upon which  they rest, and not at all, or but very slightly,
to the water which flows over them.
   "  I have wrought iron  pipes,  of  H inches calibre, which  are
coated with  accretions interiorly, and which, in twelve  months, have
been eaten through from within outward by the circulation of cold
Cochituate water.    I have others, of the  same  diameter, which,
in three months, have been eaten through by the circulation of hot
Cochituate water.
   "  I have another  pipe,  one inch  in diameter, which, in twelve
months, was so nearly closed by accretions  throughout its entire
length, that it was removed because  it ceased to serve water.
   "  The solicitude lies  in  two directions.  In the first place, the
accretions diminish  the serving   capacity.   Taking  the  present
average thickness  of the incrustation  at three-eighths of an inch,
the serving  capacity of a pipe 36 inches in diameter is reduced by
the amount  of an area of  42f square inches; which  is  equal to a
cylindrical pipe 7.3  inches  in diameter.  If we conceive the ac-
cretion to go regularly forward, at the rate of 14i square inches
per annum,  it would become a matter of immediate grave consid-
eration.   In the second place, the  accretions  are formed  at the
expense of the iron  upon which  they rest.    With their increased
thickness will come,  at a remote period, diminished strength of the
iron."

   In his annual report for 1863,  the chief-engineer of the Boston
Water Works states, that  " the  filling-up  by accretions of  the
mains to South and East Boston, producing a  great  loss of head,
will,  before long, necessitate an additional line of mains to both of
these places ; and it  is hoped that some simple and effectual means
of preventing the formation of these  accretions, which have  so
seriously affected our whole system of distribution, will be found
before the laying of  these mains."   Since  1858, the accretions in 
57
 the Charles River pipes have so accumulated, that thirty per cent.
 additional head is required to obtain the same delivery.
   The difficulties thus enumerated are generally partially mitigated
 by increasing the thickness and  diameter of the  pipe beyond the
 size  really required, and by coatings of bitumen, or hydraulic ce-
 ment.  Experience and experiment have shown  this last to be the
 only means of insuring  the desired result; but the expense, when
 added to that of the  casting, renders the  cost of the pipe exces-
 sive.  This brought  about the use of wrought iron  of sufficient
 thickness to resist the  pressure, and protecting  it from  corrosion
 by the use of cement.   To resist corrosion and overcome the diffi-
 culties of manufacture, cast iron pipes are very many times thicker
 than the water-pressure would  require.   The defects of manufac-
 ture are in foundery  work, air-cells, cold-shuts, blisters, sand-holes,
 shrinkage cracks, and liability to uneven thickness, so that to meet
 these  risks  there is  large margin given to the  thickness beyond
 anything necessary for mere  strength.    In testing iron  pipes
 they are made to stand a pressure  of 300 lbs. to the square inch,
 though in practice they rarely have one  hundred.  To  show the
 resistance of a good piece of pipe, I give the following  from Mr.
 Kirkwood's report: —

   "  The tensile  strength of a  30-inch pipe cast at the Florence
 Foundery, New Jersey, and afterwards broken  up, was tried at
 the proving machine of the West Point Foundery, February 14,
 1857, and found equal to 22,133 lbs.  per square inch.  This
 might be considered an average specimen of the iron  used in  the
 American founderies for  pipe castings.   Specimens  taken from
pipes cast at  the Phoenix Iron Works, Glasgow, Scotland, were
sent  to the South Boston Foundery, and tried by their proving ma-
chine with the following  results, —

  Piece of 30-inch pipe  ....    22,978 lbs. per square inch.
   "  " 20  "   "      .   .    .    .  24,222  "   "    "    "
   " . "  20  "  ' "   .     .   '.    .    19,493 "   "    "    "
   "  "  12  "   "     .   .    .    .  21,290 "   "    "    " 
                               58

   The want of a complete preventive of the corrosion of iron pipes
 has brought about the introduction of substances professing to com-
 bine  indestructibility with  the  greater  economy  of construction.
 Among the prominent candidates for favor in  this respect, we may
 mention the " wrought iron and cement pipe," the "bitumenized
 pipe," the " banded-wood and cement pipe."  Lead, tin, copper,
 zinc, glass, earthenware, rubber, &c,  while possessing  certain ad-
 vantages for small service-pipes, cannot well be adopted for mains ;
 an excessive cost and other difficulties militate against their use on
 a large scale.
   In this country, next to cast iron, the wrought  iron and cement
 pipe has been most generally used ; and, after eighteen years of
 trial, has secured such a reputation as has led to its very general
 introduction as a reliable,  economical, and permanent water-con-
 ductor.  Thisv kind of pipe, as manufactured and laid by the " Jer-
 sey City Water and Gas Pipe Company," is made of rolled wrought
 iron of any required  thickness,  formed by machinery, and firmly
 riveted into pipe of any needed diameter, and  of sufficient strength
 to resist any head of  water  or pressure  to which  it  may be sub-
jected.  It is lined by machinery,  with mortar made of Rosendale
 hydraulic cement, and laid  in a bed of the same material;  the
 entire  outside being perfectly covered  with the  mortar.   The  ce-
 ment soon becomes hard, like stone, and protects the metal from
 the action of  air or water, and  consequently  prevents either  cor-
 rosion  or incrustations.
   The sections of pipe are connected by means of a sleeve over the
joints made large enough to allow a filling of mortar between the pipe
 and the sleeve ; the whole being also covered externally with mortar,
thereby making the joints stronger even than the rest of the pipe.
   The application of  the Water  and Gas Pipe Company and their
 favorable  terms has led to a very  careful investigation of the  sub-
ject, and the result of the examinations would seem  to prove : —

   First.  It will stand any  desired pressure.
   Second.  It can be laid in our streets with safety. 
59
   Third. It costs less when first laid.
   Fourth.  It costs less for repairs.
   Fifth.  Oxidation does not occur.
   Sixth.  It insures greater purity to the water.
   Seventh.   There  is  no  loss  of  discharge from  diminished
bore.
   Eighth.   Less size of pipe can be laid.
   Ninth. It increases rather than diminishes in strength with age.
   Tenth. It can be more readily tapped for services.

   As regards its withstanding the pressure. — The static pressure
for Charlestown will equal a head of 150 feet, and it has already
been laid in some places where the head is much more, — in one
instance 247 feet, and in five  others  200 feet and upward.  'By
regulating the thickness of  iron, I can see no reason for limiting
its ability to resist strain, unless it be in securing the lap properly.

   That it can  be  laid in  our streets with  safety. —  While the
natural soil  of our city is in a majority of cases  every way desira-
ble for  a firm bearing to a line of water-pipes, there are some por-
tions of made land; and all of the  city streets  are more or less
obstructed with gas-pipes, sewers, drains, and other impediments,
generally found in a city so old as ours.   I learn from Mr. Albert
Stan wood, Superintendent  of the  eastern division of the Boston
Water-Works,  that  he has in successful operation a long line of
the  cement  pipe, in a location  so much worse, for stability, than
any place in Charlestown, that no fears need  be had of any more
trouble, on made land, than with iron pipes ; and similar testimony
is given by Mr. Bailey, of the  Jersey City Water Works.   A
personal examination  in  another  city, of the facility with which
the  pipes could  be  laid around, over or under obstructions, satis-
factorily answered  all doubt  of readily  avoiding impediments  in
this city.

   The first  cost of the pipe laid complete and ready to receive the
water is from fifteen to twenty per cent, less than of cast iron. 
60
   That it costs less for repairs. — Testimony has been procured,
from nine different places, all corroborative of the claim, that, as
the pipes became stronger with age, there was a yearly falling off
in cost of repairs; and in each instance, when a comparison can be
had, the testimony is  that the first  outlay for repairs does not ex-
ceed that for cast iron pipe.

   That oxidation does not occur. — Samples of pipes laid for some
years have been examined  by myself, and the testimony of other
engineers  has been that at no time  has a  coating  been discov-
ered upon the interior lining of th6 pipes.   As a  rule, the older
pipes present a somewhat  smoother surface  than  those recently
laid, doubtless due to  the attrition of the water.  Samples of two-
inch iron pipes have been shown us by Mr.  Stanwood, completely
filled up with  accretions, as also some larger pipes, presenting a
loss in diameter of some one and one kalf inches.

   That it insures greater purity to the water. — The discoloration
so common in iron pipes, due to the hydroxide of iron, is of course
never observable in this pipe.  When first laid, however, the water
is liable to be  affected in hardness by the absorption of some  of the
particles of lime in the cement.  This effect, I am told, soon passes
entirely away.

   There is  no loss of discharge by diminution in the bore. — It
has been shown that the loss of discharge in iron pipes is generally
equivalent  to  a  loss  of two inches of  diameter.   Thus a pipe of
four inches, in time, is quite  as  effective  as the  cast iron  of  six
inches calibre.

   That a less size of pipe can be laid is therefore apparent, and
in this city with its very frequent connections, pipes of four  inches
of cement, it is believed, will be quite  as effective as cast iron ones
of six inches.   The percentage of  saving  by this, it will  be seen,
is important, and reduces the first cost materially. 
61
   It increases rather than diminishes in strength with age. — As-
 suming always that the work is properly done (and unless properly
 done no pipe is safe), the cement lining and coating prevents the
 action of air and precludes  the chances of oxidation.   The  well-
 known property of cement is continued increase of strength from
 the lapse of time;  and,  if  once  properly laid,  these pipes  must
 grow stronger with their  age.

   It can be more readily tapped for services. — The hole for ad-
 mitting  the water to the  service-pipe can be made either when the
 pipe is, or is not, under pressure' and in either case, from the sam-
 ples shown me, with greater ease  and facility than is possible with
 iron pipes.  The method of attaching a service to the pipe con-
 sists, first in detaching a portion  of the exterior cement, and lay-
 ing bare the wrought iron.   Upon this the cock regulating the flow
 to the service is securely soldered.    The cock  being open, a spi-
 rally-grooved pointed  drill is inserted, and with  ordinary pressure
 passes  through the iron, gradually enlarging  the hole, so that no
' spalling off of the interior cement lining takes place.  If the pipe
 is  under pressure, the drill  passes through a  small brass stuffing-
 box screwed on to the head of the cock where the connecting coup-
 ling is attached.   On  withdrawing the drill,  and  before  entire
 removal, the cock is shut, so that  no water escapes.  This method
 is quite  simple, and, unless the workman is careless in the  solder-
 ing operation, always successful.

   Of the wrought iron and  cement pipe, there is, I am informed,
 some one hundred and fifty miles  laid and in  successful operation
 in this country.  With the facts that have been presented I would
 say in conclusion, that in  my opinion, with proper workmanship, the
 iron and cement pipe  manufactured and laid  by the New Jersey
 Patent Water and Gas Pipe Company, is a proper and safe conductor
 for water, under the conditions required by our system of works."
                 6 
62
  Extract of Report of C. L. Stevenson on System of Fire
                          Hydrants.

  In devising a system of fire hydrants for Charlestown, a  study
of those of the  older cities demonstrated  the inadequacy of the
hydrant system  of most of them for the purposes.to which it was
applied.
  In adapting the hydrant  to fire purposes, for the systems of
hand-engines still most generally in vogue,  the transition from the
house-hydrant to the present  plug, used exclusively for fires, has
been almost imperceptible ; custom having caused a continuance of
many things  that seem  somewhat  absurd,.looking at the matter
without a knowledge of its  previous history.   Let us  examine the
result, as  exemplified at every fire  occurring in the cities  of Bos-
ton,  New York, or Philadelphia,  or any  other  city where  the
steam fire-engine is used.  We find that a fire-plug having a bore
from 2| to 3£  inches in  diameter is connected with the  street
mains by pipes varying from three  to four inches  bore ;  this plug
having a nozzle from 2 to 2£ inches, which  feeds  through  a  taper
goose-neck or enlarging pipe, and four or five inch suction-hose.
The  examples, resulting from a necessity of adapting old and exist-
ing arrangements to  new requirements, do  not certainly seem to
offer inducements for a continuance  of the system where opportunity
is afforded for improvements.
  Originally, the  hydrant was the general method  adopted for
supplying consumers, and was placed on the outside and oftentimes
against the street-wall of the houses or dwellings.  Specimens of
this are still common in cities where  the works are  of a compara-
tively old  date.  Convenience for fire purposes, without detriment
to domestic supply, soon suggested the removal of the plug  to the
edge of the sidewalk ; and the very general use of house-services,
or pipes leading from the main into the dwellings, now causes the
hydrant to be restricted almost exclusively to fire  purposes.   Two 
63
 kinds (varying in  details) are  in  most general use ; namely, the
 " post" and " flush " hydrants.  These the accompanying diagrams
 will better explain  than any description.
   The sizes most  used are 3-inch diameter, 2J-inch nozzle, con-
 nected by 4-inch  pipe with  the street main.  One inch of this
 3-inch interior space  is taken  up by the valve-rod through the
 centre, reducing the actual water-way to 6 square inches, subject
 to 12£ square inches of frictional surfaces.   To supply  steam fire-
 engines, a taper pipe,  enlarging to the size of the suction hose, is,
 used.
   It can scarcely  fail  to  strike one,  that, since the hydrant has
 ceased to be used to supply consumers, and is for purposes requir-
 ing the largest amount of water from the street main in the short-
 est time, that a more ingenious system of throttling could scarcely
 be  devised.   Oxidation of the 4-inch pipes, when of iron also
 soon causes them to lose some twenty-five per cent, of the original
 small water-way.
   Hydrants are usually placed from 250 feet to 500  feet apart, as
 the  necessities of  the  locality require.  In  a thickly-built city,
 about 300  feet apart  is  the average.  The post-hydrant, from
 greater  convenience is  most generally used;  but, when the side-
 walks are narrow, it is  a great obstruction: hence  the  use of the
 flush-hydrant,  as in Boston.
   When the  post-hydrant is to be used, it is essential that it  be
 placed on the side  of the street, or it  would obstruct the roadway.
 But,  if the  flush system is adopted, where the whole is below the
 surface the question naturally arises,  Why  isolate it from  the
 street ? or, Why reduce its capacity by carrying it away through
 small pipes from the main  feeder, where the  supply is  many hun-
 dred  per cent,  greater ?
  Custom has doubtless caused the flush-hydrant to be still located
on the  sidewalk ; but it must, I think, be admitted that it is at a
decided loss, without compensating  advantages.
  The hydrant pipe, running off at right angles to the street main,
contains dead water, or water without motion, except  when the 
64
 hydrant is in use; and we are all only too well aware of the amount
 of packing and  contrivances now required to keep our hydrants
 from freezing in cold weather, — contrivances sometimes effective,
 sometimes not;  and I am told, that, in New York city, where
 wooden  covers were, after some controversy,  adopted, one argu-
 ment of the wood advocate was the'facility it afforded, by setting
 it on fire, to thaw out the hydrant when frozen.   While in this the
 advocate may have  been disposed  to be  facetious, the liability of
 the hydrant to freeze is no light  matter.
  As now located, flush-hydrants require a branch  in  the main
 pipe, from ten to thirty feet of branch pipe (which, from motives
 of economy, is always small in size), and  the hydrant bend, each
 helping to reduce the quantity of water the  hydrant can  deliver.
  While each of these adds materially to the cost, and reduces the
 efficiency of the hydrant,  it is  evident, that, by placing the  hy-
 drant directly over the main in the  street, we avoid all of these
 arrangements, which are only hurtful  in  their effects.  While the
capacity will thus be increased  enormously, freezing  will be ren-
dered impossible, as  the water in the mains is always in motion.
In porous  soils, the water wasted from  the hydrant, to empty  it
after the valve is closed, percolates away through the earth ; but, in
retentive soils, it is necessary to  lead this water  to the street sewer.
  With the hydrant  on  the side of the street, this distance must
always equal one-half the width of roadway  ; but when located on
the main, the waste drain cannot exceed a few feet in length.
  To obtain most economically the largest supply  of  water, it  is
evident the nearer we  approach the mains, the more surely will
this be effected; and, by locating the flush-hydrant directly upon
the mains, we not only gain this advantage, but prevent freezing,
and  do away with the branch, branch-pipe, and hydrant bend.
  The views thus entertained on this subject have been more forci-
bly impressed upon me by examining an invention of  a skilful me-
 chanic,  Mr. Lowry,  of Pittsburg;  which, after some  four years'
 trial, would seem to meet the wants of the  case, and  obviate the
 difficulty now experienced. 
65
 • Mr. Lowry, having completed a steam fire-engine for the city of
Pittsburg, found his machine comparatively useless, the small fire-
plugs of that city being entirely inadequate  to  feed  it;  and, to
meet this difficulty, he made' use of a hydrant of large diameter,
placed directly in communication with the main.  By an ingenious
arrangement, he combines with the hydrant one or more stop-gates,
as may  be  required, for shutting off, if desired, the water in the
mains;  thus making  a combined  stop-cock  and  hydrant.   Vide
diagrams.
   This hydrant is usually placed at the intersection of the lines of
water pipes, taking the place of the ordinary branch.
   It will thus  be seen, that the supply to the hydrant is equal to
the full capacity of as many mains as it intersects.
   For example, a four-way  6-inch hydrant  has  to  supply it the
four 6-inch  pipes combined, or an area of 113 square inches.  The
present hydrants have supply from 12£ inches area.
   The hydrant, when not in use, is covered with an ordinary stop-
cock cover, flush with the level of  the street.   When in use, a de-
tachable hose-branch, having four, six, or eight attachments, as may
be  desired, carried by each engine or  hose company, takes the
place of the cover ; being readily fitted to the  hydrant by one or two
turns, the thread of the screw being slightly  turned off at the end,
so that one  slips readily into the other.   The hose attachments are
separate and distinct from each other ; so that one or eight engines
can be supplied at the same time,  and let on  or shut off the water
without interfering, every opening having a separate slide-gate or
cut-off.
   An ordinary turnkey, passing  through the head of the hose-
branch, opens or shuts the hydrant valve which supplies the whole
eight attachments.   With  a supply of water so 'vastly in  excess
of the capacity of the hydrant, it is evident that each of these is
equivalent to eight ordinary hydrants ; and, if we suppose a fire to
occur in a given  locality, eight of the present hydrants would be
required to  supply the same quantity of  water.
   The advantages arising from such an excess of supply from the
                 6* 
66
mains to the hydrant were so well shown in a trial made in Bostonin
1863, that a brief account thereof is pertinent.  After an exhibition
of the powers of this hydrant at Brooklyn, I requested Mr. Lowry
to send one to us as a sample, and if possible, for trial.   By the
courtesy of the 'Boston Water Board, and the superintendent of the
eastern  division of the water works, every facility was afforded for
a fair trial  of its  merits.   The hydrant, a  four-way 6-inch, was
located in Winthrop Place, near Franklin Street, at the intersection
of two 6-inch pipes, —a three-way 6-inch branch being taken out
to admit of its introduction.   The spare  end of the hydrant was
closed by shutting the gate  therein.   The delivery was therefore
such as  could be obtained from eighty-five square inches of pipe
area, lessened by such accretion as has taken place in the iron; so
that the  actual effective area would probably not exceed seventy-
five square inches.
   To this hydrant four of the most powerful  of the  steam  fire-en-
gines in the city were attached  by 4-inch couplings.   The indi-
cated pressure on the water-gauge, before starting the engines, was
thirty-five pounds.   The engines were fired simultaneously, and,
at the end of twelve minutes, were throwing nine powerful streams
of  water,  subsequently increased to thirteen.   With the   nine
streams  the pressure  on the water-gauge was thirty-two pounds,
and with the thirteen  streams was  reduced to thirty pounds;  thus,
of course, showing an excess of pressure from  the main of that
amount.  This result, so contrary to general expectation, was most
satisfactory, in  showing  the advantage  of tapping the mains at
their junctions.
   Upon this same line  of  6-inch pipe were located several  hy-
drants of the usual style.  To one of  these,  one  steam fire-engine
was attached.  When throwing two streams, the effect of exhaus-
tion of  the  hydrant was noticeable;  and the interruption to the
stream, as shown by  the  air-spaces, denoted  that the  engine was
drafting from the main.
   For the ordinary hand-engine, it is therefore evident, that, even 
67
with -eight attachments, the supply will always exceed the delivery;
an advantage so manifest that comment is unnecessary.
  If we estimate the increased length of hose required  to concen-
trate  these  eight at  a given  point, we find  another element of
economy, which with  other  advantages, is well shown in the fol-
lowing tables of results obtained at the trials  made in  Brooklyn,
N.  Y. prior to  adopting them for use there. 
68
                                  Table  A.

Statement of Experiments made May 8, 1860, with Lowry's patent Hydrant,at
          the corner of Johnson and Prince Streets, Brooklyn, N.  Y.
	Out of Pipe, nozzle f-inch			Out of Butt, 2J inch		
		diameter.			diameter.	
		2)			ho	
		a			.g .	
		"a-3			fl"2	
		8.-2			ca	
Head above tide, 139 feet.		•as £ is			2^ J* o 2 ■5 *	
Pressure of water on the Main, 64 lbs.	i		Equal for eight openings to	a '3	Hi	Equal for eight openings to
	a	S *		a	§ *	
	o	<$.A		o	*lja	
	a			t*	^ £	
	1	■a *		3	■2 &	
	en	o o _H____			0) O	
Eight openings.	lbs.	m. sec.		lbs.	m. sec.	
300 feet of hose, each	58	7.55	f 8,000 gals, or | 127 hhds.	50	4.40	(8,000 gals, or [ 127 hhds.
250 " " "	55	7.30	<i	48	4.30	
200 " " "				45	4.25	
150 " " «				41	3.20	
100 " " "				40	2.50	
50 " " "				33	2.40	
One opening.						
300 feet of hose, each	63	7.40	(8,000 gals, or \ 127 hhds.	62	■ 4.00	(8,000 gals, or I 127 hhds.
250 " " "	62	7.35	d	61	3.35	<<
200 " " "	60	7.25	u	59	3.30	«
150* " " "	62	7.10	u	63	2.40	<<
100 " '< "	63	6.55	«	61	2.45	((
50 " " " _	63	6.40	u	62	2.00	(I
  Dimensions and Descriptions. — Hydrant eight inches in diameter, with eight openings, each
2£ inches in diameter, it being set upon a four-way branch, connecting two 6-inch mains.
  Eight Openings. — Areas of mains, 113.09 inches; areas of hydrants, 78.26 inches; areas of
openings, 39.20.
  One Opening. — Area of mains, 113.09 inches ;  area of hydrants, 78.26 inches ;  area of open
ings, 4.90 inches. 
69
                                 Table B.

Statement of Experiments made May 10, 1860, with  ordinary Hydrant at the
            corner of Tillary and Stanion Streets, Brooklyn, N. Y.
	Out of Pipe | inch nozzle.			Out of Butt 2i inch diameter.		
		U a			i	
Head above tide, 139 feet.	a	>>		c	>>>	
Pressure on main, 64 lbs.	03 a	&	Equal to eight openings.	33 a	&	Equal to eight openings.
	a	u <s o a EH		5	-2 J EH	
One opening through	lbs.	m. sec.		lbs.	m. sec.	
300 feet of hose	62	8.05	J 8,000 gals, or \ 127 hhds.	61J	4.20	(8.000 gals, or \ 127 hhds.
250 " " . .	62	7.40		61J	4.15	u
200 " " . .	62	7.20		61i	3.45	
150 " " . .	63£	7.10		61£	2.50	it
100 " " .	63	7.00		59i	2.45	a
50 - " . .	62*	655		57*	2.25	''
  Area of main, 56.54 inches ; area of supply to the hydrant, 12.56 inches ;  area of hydrant
opening, 4.90. 
Table, of the relative quantity of Water delivered andmHose used, as between Lowry's  Patent Hydrant, intended  to be placed at
  distances of six hundred feet, and the Hydrants  now in use, at the ordinary average  distance from each other, to reach fires
  that may occur within an area of three hundred feet radii.
Lowry's Patent Hydrant, with eight openings, assumed
   to  be located  326 feet, being the extreme distance pro-
   posed to set them asunder.
                         Table  C.
                 Pressure on the Main, 63 lbs.
Eight Ordinary Hydrants, located from fire at the dis-
  tance shown in the Table, being a fair average distance
  from any one point.
                        Table  D.
                Pressure on the Main, 63 lbs.
Hydrant.	Distance,	Diameter Hose.	Diameter Nozzle. | inch. <i it	Will deliv. in galls.	In seconds.
1 opening . . 1 " 8 "	100 feet. 326 " (326ea., or) {a total of J (2,608 feet. )	2J inch. u u		100.00 55.40 443.20	41.50
Average dis- \ tance, 1 / opening, )	163 feet.	<!	it	78.37	tt
 Whole opening reduced to 2-inch nozzle, ten feet of hose threw 187 feet
horizontal
 Discharged 8 streams through 300 feet of hose, 102 feet each horizontal.
                                                RECAPITULATION.
     Minimum length of hose for eight ordinary hydrants, as ordinarily set,   ....   4,221 feet, delivering
     Average length of hose for eight openings, patent hydrant,.......1,304
     In favor of patent hydrant,.............2,917
     Maximum  length of hose for eight openings, patent hydrant,    ......  2,608
     In favor of patent hydrant,.........    •   .    .    .   1,603
     Single discharge from average length of hose, patent hydrant,   •.....16d
     Single discharge from average length of hose, ordinary hydrant,.....527
     In favor of patent hydrant,..........•    •    •    464
                                           Note. — These quantities are thrown from j nozzle.
Hydrant.		Distance.	Diameter Hose. 2% inch.	Diameter Nozzle.	Will deliver in galls.	In seconds.
1 opening 2 " 3 " 4 " 5 " 6 " 7 " 8 "		100 feet. 41 " 373 " 431 " 438 " 580 " 591 " 691 " 1,076 "		$ inch.	100.00 156.25 5178 48.16 47.80 41.52 41.13 38.05 30.47	42
		4,221 feet.	«		455.16 43.57	ct
Average.		527.62 feet.				
455.16 gallons		in 42.00 seconds
626.96	"	41.50 "
17180	it	00.50 "
443.20	u	42.00 "
11.96	l<	00.50 "
78.37	[(	41.50 "
43.67	((	42.00 "
37.80	I(	00.60 "
 
71
    As stated by  Mr.  Rhodes  (vide letter  accompanying),  the
  Lowry hydrant gives eight hundred per cent, more water, with a
  loss of only four per cent, in time, and delivers a single stream of
^ equal volume with ordinary hydrant, with a gain of  three per cent.
  in time ;  the saving  in hose being sixty-eight per cent.
    The combination, when desired, of stop-cocks with this hydrant
  is a feature possessing very considerable merit; enabling us to shut
  off shorter  sections of the city pipes, in case of accident or for re-
  pairs, while the additional cost of these cocks  is  comparatively
  slight.  In a city so irregularly laid out as Charlestown, it is ex-
  tremely difficult to economically arrange the system of stop-cocks ;
  and, at best, any arrangement, without a large number of stops,
  will require several streets to be  shut  off by any accident  occur-
  ring in certain lines of pipe.
    By means of the  additional  stops afforded by this hydrant, we
  should be enabled to reduce greatly the size of districts thus to be
  shut off; and, in case of accidents in smaller lines of pipe, the
  principal  mains can, by means of these auxiliary gates, be kept
  running:  a manifest  advantage, as the experience of  other cities
  will show.                                                   „
    To sum  up the advantages possessed by this system of hydrant,
  we have,—

    First.  Economy  in cost and maintenance.
    Second.  Simplicity and non-liability to derangement.
     Third.  The enormous volume of water afforded as desired.
    Fourth.   The ability to  supply one  or  eight  engines indepen-
  dently.
    Fifth.  The saving in hose, and consequent decrease in friction,
  equal in Brooklyn trial to eighty-seven per cent,  increase of water-
  delivery.
    Sixth.  It cannot freeze.
    Seventh. Doing away with  branches and branch-pipes to side-
  walks, and with stop-gate boxes and covers.

    In advising the introduction  of such a system  as presented by 
72
 this hydrant, several points are to be considered : the general feel-
 ing of entire security against any serious conflagration, and conse-
 quent reduction of insurance  rates; less amount of pipe-line  re-
 quiring care ;  streets not broken  up  by cross  trenches to lay or
 repair the hydrant-pipe, and  avoiding  the annoyance of  shutting
 off large districts for repairs, the result of the increased number of
 stop-gates;  the number of street-openings  for  gates  is reduced,
 and, each hydrant with four gates being in one box under one cover,
 we have the saving of first cost and  the continued maintenance of
 the four extra gate-boxes and covers.
   As stated by Mr. Belknap  in his report, in localities or  build-
 ings more subject than others to fire, the possession of a detacha-
 ble hose-branch and a few feet of hose in the hands of a watchman
 would prevent, in many cases,  most serious fires that become such
 by the delay in  reaching  by engines, and when reached, the de-
 taching of the hose already on to  give place  to the engine.
   Possessing so many manifest advantages, this hydrant is recom-
 mended for Charlestown.
                     Respectfully submitted,
 •                          C. L.  STEVENSON,
                                    Chief Engineer  C.  W. W.
To Edw. Lawrence, Esqr.,
      Chairman Water  Commissioners, C. W. W. 
73
                    TABLE  OF DISTANCES.
Length of dam.......1,560 ft.
Head gate-house to pipe-chamber (including conduit)   7,493 "
Pipe-chamber to engine-house pump-well (36 inch
    mains)........487 "
Engine-house pump-well to reservoir (30 inch force-
    main)   ........3,277 "
Main around reservoir (30 inch pipe)    .     .    .   310 "
Reservoir to Charlestown Neck (24 inch main)  .   16,557 "
Length of works to Charlestown Neck  .     .    .  29,684 " =5.62 miles
Neck to Charlestown Square (16-inch main)     .     5,206 "
                        TABLE  OF LEVELS.
               Referred to High Water of Boston Harbor.
Authorized height of flowage of Mystic upper lake (level of
    Bacon's dam)........7   feet above
Top of Mystic dam.......11    "    "
Top of conduit,  inside, at head gate-house     .     .        1.5  "    "
Bottom  "      "      "        "      ...     4.17 "
Top of waste weir.......       0.6  "
Bottom of conduit inside at pipe-chamber  .    .     .     4.92 "
    "      36-inch mains under Mystic river   .     .    .   10.50 "
    "      pump-well.......11.00 "
Boiler-room floor........6.00 "
Engine "     "   .                  ....    10.00 "
Bottom of force-main at pump-delivery   ....  16.50 "
    "      reservoir......*.    125.00 "
Water-level of reservoir......•  147.00 "
Top of embankments of  reservoir     .'                 150.00 "
Highest point on Bunker Hill Street    ....  100.00 "
Monument Square  at High Street    ....     55.00 "
Dry dock at Navy Yard.......5.00 "
                  7
below.
above.
below.
above. 
74
STATEMENT OF WROUGHT IRON AND CEMENT DISTRIBU-
         TION PIPE LAID IN CHARLESTOWN.
Name of Street.	16 in. len. in ft.	10 in. len. in ft.	8 in. len. in ft.	6 in. len. in ft.	4 in. len. in ft.	Totals.
Adams ....				760.9		760.9
Albion Court .					388.5	388.5
Alford ....				6432		543.2
Allen ....					248.7	248.7
Allston ....					686.6	686.6
Arrow ....				358.7	250.5	609.2
Auburn ....				420.4		420.4
Austin ....				1,568.2		1,568.2
Bainbridge ....					203.9	203.9
Baldwin ....					548.1	548.1
Bartlett ....				1,676.4		1,676.4
Belmont ....					15.5	15.5
			725.3	559.5		1,284.8
Bunker Hill .			4,627.7	666.0		5,293.7
Cambridge . • .			1.006.0			1,006.0
Chamber				252.5		252.5
Chapman ....			994.3			9943
Chelsea ....				3,305.1		3,305.1
Chestnut ....			295.8	781.9		1,077.7
City Square	204.5		254.3	364.6		823.4
Common . ...					252.7	252.7
Concord .... «					468.1	468.1
Cook . .					677.7	677.7
Cordis ....				572.5		572.5
	204.5		7,6076 1	11,343 8	4,522.2	23,678.1
 
75
Name of Street.	16 in. len. in ft.	10 in. len. in ft.	8 in. len. in ft.	6 in. len. in ft.	4 in. len. in ft.	Totals.
Brought forward	204.5		7,607.6	11.343.8	4,522.2	23,678.1
Corey ....					747.5	747.5
					445.0	445.0
Decatur ....					979.0	979.0
Dorrance ....				1,200.8	30.0	1,230.8
Eden ....					598.5	598.5
Edgeworth ....					321.5	3215
Elm ....				1,586.9		1,586.9
				770.3	26.7	797.0
Everett ....					639.8	639.8
Ferrin ....					1,203.0	1,203.0
Fifth ....					198.3	198.3
					288.7	288.7
Fountain Pipe .			124.8			124.8
Franklin ....					356.5	356.5
Front ....				2,369.6	15.0	2,384.6
Furbush Court .					268.5	268.5
Gibbs Court					225.0	225.0
					316.5	316.5
Green ....					900.2	900.2
Harvard ....					836.8	836.8
Henley ....				541.7		541.7
High.....				1,812.2		1,812.2
Irving Place .					383.7	383.7
				,	549.6	549.6
Joiner ....					496.4	496.4
Laurel ....					1516	151.5
	204.5		7,732.4	19,625.3	14,499.9	42,062.1
 
76
Name of Street.	16 in. len. in ft.	10 in. len. in'ft.	8 in. len. in ft.	6 in. len. in ft.	4 in. len. in ft.	Totals.
Brought forward .	204.5		7,732.4	19,625.3	14,499.9	42,062.1
Lawrence ....				1,141.3		1,141.3
Lexington .			1,069.9"			1,069.9
Linden ....					509.1	509.1
Lynde ....					1,141.5	1,141.5
Lyndboro					357.5	357.5
Main ....	5,001.8			222.6	532.0	5,756.4
Marion ....					389.0	389.0
Mason ....					219.5	219.5
Maudlin ....					385.2	385.2
Mead					522.6	522.6
Medford ....		3,182.3	2,422.3		61.9	5,666.7
Middlesex .				346.7		346.7
Mill ....					366.0	366.0
Miller ....					656.0	656.0
Monument					447.4	447.4
Monument Avenue					652.0	652.0
Monument Square .			490.0	881.6	468.1	1,839.7
Moulton				1,071.5		1,071.5
Mount Vernon					672.1	672.1
Mount Vernon Avenue					159.8	159.8
Mystic					708.2	708.2
North Mead .					13.7	13.7
Oak ... .					480.9	480.9
Pearl ....			1,493.1			1,493.1
Phipps				205.0		205.0
Pleasant ....					607.7	1607.7
	5,206.3	3,182.3	13,207.9	23,494.0	23,850.1	68,940.6
 
77
Name of Street.	16 in. len. in ft.	10 in. len. in ft.	8 in. len. in ft.	.6 in. len. in ft.	4 in. len. in ft.	Totals.
Brought forward .	5,206 3	3,182.3	13,207.9	23,494.0	23,850.1	68,940.6
Polk ....					679.9	679.9
Princeton					499.5	499 5
Prospect ....					691.5	691.5
Putnam					- 301.7	301.7
Quincy ....					12.5	12.5
Richmond				1,241.8	5.5	1,247.3
Russell ....				936.4	666.2	1,602.6
Salem ....			410.6			410.6
School ....					657.0	657.0
Second					250.6	250.6
Short ....					340.7	340.7
Sixth					197.9	197.9
Soley .					703.0	703.0
Sumner					400.9	400.9
Sullivan					881.7	881.7
Third ...					221.6	221.6
Thompson				185.7		185.7
Therndike . .					247.6	247.6
Tremont					422.1	422.1
Trenton					463.8	463.8
Tufts ....					736.0	736.0
Union				1,047.9		1,047.9
Vine			623.5			**623.5
Walford					204.0	204.0
Walker . .				685.8		685.8
Wapping				466.3		466.3
	5,206.3	3,182.3	14,242.0	28,057.9	32.433.8	83,122.3
7* 
78
Name of Street.	16 in. len. in ft.	10 in. len. in ft.	8 in. len. in ft.	6 in. len. in ft.	4 in. len. in ft.	Totals.
Brought forward . Warren Street. Warren Avenue . Washington Water .... Winthrop Wood ....	5,206.3	3,182.3	14,242.0 1,069.9 994.9	28,057.9 1,599.2 270.2 1,468.9 427.0	32,433.8 6.0	83.122.3 1,599.2 270.2 1,069.9 1,474.9 994.9 427.0
	5,206.3	3,182.3	16,306.8	31,823.2	32,439.8	88,958.4
STATEMENT OF  WROUGHT  IRON  AND  CEMENT  DISTRIBU-
      TION PIPE LAID IN SOMERVILLE  AND  MEDFORD.

     Name of Street.

McLean Asylum .
Broadway
Franklin Street
Pearl
Myrtle
Washington
Reservoir
88,958.4
 7,720.0
  652.0

97,330.4 length in feet = 18 miles, 2,290.4 ft.
30 in. len. in ft.	12 in. len. in ft.	8 in. len. in ft.	6 in. len. in ft.	4 in. len. in ft.	Totals.
			2,392.4	682.4	3,074.8
		1,501.3		81.1	1,582.4
		1,065.0			1,065.0
		220.0			220.0
		977.8			977.8
		800.0			800.0
180	472				
180	472	4,564.1	2,392.4	763.5	7,720.0
Charlestown
Somerville
Medford
   Total   • 
•
79
SUMMARY OF PEPES,  STOP-GATES,  AND HYDRANTS,
   CHARLESTOWN WATER WORKS, February 28, 1865.
                       Main Pipes.
			Diameter of Pipes			in inches.				Aggregate.
	36	30	24	16	12	10	8	6	4	
Iron Pipes	974	3,565	16,557		60			212	210	21,578
Cement "		180		5,206	472	3,182	16,307	31,823	32,440	89,610
Bitumen "									417	417
Stop-gates		2	3	3	2	''_• 5	27	106	130	278
Service Pipes.
	Diameter of Pipe in inches.					Aggregate.
No. of Services, 988.	2	1	2	I	i	
Length of Lead Services	17	97	5,616	11,841	13,550	31,122
" " Iron and Cement do.	4,017					4,017
" " Bitumen "	520					520
" " Semi-Elastic "	80	558	51		240	929
" " Iron and Glass "		64				64
No. of Stop-cocks, Corporation	52	6	26	242	554	880
" " " Service		4	24	258	725	1,011
" Lowry Hydrants						97
" Common "						26 ;
Weight of Lead Pipes.
	Diameter in inches.			
	1	2 4	■ 1	i
All points on a level with, and above the grade of Monument Square, at High Street " " below the grade of Monument Square	lbs. oz. 4 12 6 0	lbs. oz. 3 4 3 8	lbs. oz. 2 8 2 12	lbs. oz. 2 2
 
*
80
COMPARATIVE TABLE  OF REPORTED "DUTY" OF PUMP-
   ING-ENGINES  OF  WATER  WORKS,  PER  POUND  OF
   COAL.
Name of City.	Style of Engine.	Date.	Duty.	Remarks.
Brooklyn	Double-acting Beam	1860	601,407	Trial made for acceptance of Engine at Ridgewood.
Brooklyn .	Double-acting Beam	1863	511,374	Engine No. 1. ) Average ( of
Brooklyn	Double-acting Beam	1863	540,383	Engine No. 2. ) Year.
Brooklyn . . Brooklyn	Double-acting Beam Crank'	1861 1862	606,613 649,577	Engine No. 2, trial test. ( Prospect Hill Engine, ( trial test.
Cambridge	Worthington.	1857	672,579	Mean of two experiments.
Hartford	Crank	1857	616,404	Mean of three experiments.
Jersey City	Cornish .	1857	628,233	Engine No. 1.
Spring Garden	Cornish	1856	589,053	
24th Ward	Cornish ... ■	1863	397,533	Pumps into Stand pipe.
		1863	365,450	Average of Year.
Louisville .	Cornish .	1863	340.982	Average of Year.
Charlestown .	Worthington	1865	850,000	Mean of three experiments.
Charlestown	Worthington	1865	826,500	Average of February.
Charlestown .	Worthington	1865	800,000	Average effective duty.
Monthly record of worthington  engine, no.  i,
            charlestown water  works.
Month.
January
February
Pumping  No. of Gallons raised to
 time, i  Strokes.   Reservoir.
h. m.
97.20 j  264,198
70.30 i  196,450
19,814,875
14,723,750
Steam pressure.	Vacuum.	Coal for Pumping.	Pump load per sq.inch.
lbs. 45 45	26 26	lbs. 34,000 22,600	lbs. 66,076 u
 
81
      MATERIALS  ON HAND EXCLUSIVE
Iron pipes......       3  of
 "          .......13 "
 "    "        ......5.2 "
 ""....                  1 "
 ll    "......      14 «
 "   sleeves.......2 "
 "    "        ....                8 "
 "    ".......5 "
 "    "        .              .                3 "
 "    ".......10 "
 "   stop-gates......       1 "
 u      it                                    4 a
Hydrants......       6 "
Hydrant-bends......6 "
Quarter-turns   ......       2 "
Saddle-hubs      ......2 "
Plugs     •......       2 "
  "     .•        ......2 "
  "       .......       3 "
Composition corporation stop-cocks     .     .  216 "
     "          "         "       .    .     239 "
     "          »         "...   38 "
     tt          t(         u                  7 <(
     "          u         "                 12 "
     "      quarter-turns      .     .    .      26 "
     "            "       ....   61 "
     "      service stop-cocks  ...       8 "
OF	TOOLS.	
36	inches diameter,	
30	u	11
24	ft	u
6	11	11
4	1(	(1
36	11	11
30	t(	It
24	It	It
16	If	It
6	II	11
■24	11	II
4	11	II
4	11	11
6	!<	II
4	1(	If
4	11	If
12	It	II
6	11	11
4	11	11
1
n
2
Lead pipe, 65 coils
  it   tt   49  it
  tt   tt   41  it  .
  u   tt   19  ti
		238	u	1 2
.		359	11	1
.	•	25	11	3 4
.		8	II	1
	.	13	II	H
		4	11	2
7,920 lbs,	, A			8
5,231 «	A			3 4
6,586 "	AA			*
2,273 "	AA			1
 
82
Lead pipe, 35 coils .	3,809 lbs. aa	| inches diameter
" " 9 " .	748 " AA	1 "
" " 13 "	1,336 " AAA	1 tt tt
" " lot	1,270 "	all sizes.
Bitumen pipe	144 feet	4 inches diameter.
it n	481 "	2 " "
" sleeves	73 of	2 " "
it u	27 "	4 it «
" and cement .	150 lbs.	
Block tin .	12 "	
Solder.....	142 "	
Lead in pigs . . .	. 1,960 "	
Iron pipes cracked .	72,000 "	
Cut stone ....	916 cubic feet.	
Spruce lumber (new)	30,544 feet B. M.	
(old) .	. 10,700 " "	,
Bricks .....	3,000	
Bolts, nuts, and hoop iron .	. 860 lbs.	
Rope.....	102 "	
Belting ....	32 "	
lObars 1£ inch round	iron.	
3 tt i ti tt	' it	
1 » f « «	' ti	
g It 3 It n	it	
13 " | " "	u	
10 « ^ " «	u	
1 " l£ " square	ii	
O It 3 It II ^ 4	u	
4 " 1£ X * " flat	u	
130 service box covers.		
226 " boxes.		
7 stop-gate boxes.		
4 Lowry hydrant boxes.		
1 " " base.		
7 " " frames.		
4 " " flat covers.		
3 stop-gate frames and covers. 1 it <t 3 Boston hydrant frames and c		
	Dvers.	
22 " " rings.		
2 kettles.		
 
83
 2 furnaces.
 3 ladles.
 7 yards burlap.
 3£ bbls. of cement.
 1 bbl. of oil.
44 lbs. "  tallow.
40 lbs. of cotton waste.
54  "  "  hemp packing.
 6  "  "  Martin's packing.
 3  "  "  rubber    "
 2 yards canvas.
TOOLS  AT  ENGINE-HOUSE.
  4 iron bars.
  2 chains.
  3 stone-cutting hammers.
  1 stone-hammer.
  5   "   drills.
 21   "   points.
 19   "   chisels.
  3 pipe scrapers.
  4 derrick blocks.
  1   "     drum and fittings.
  1   "
  1 funnel.
  9 oil cans.
  1 blacksmith's drilling machine.
  1     "       bellows.
  2 sulphur kettles.
  1 pair pipe calipers.
  1 centring cross.
  1 lead furnace.
  1  "   kettle.
  1   "   ladle.
  1 12-inch centrifugal pump and frame-
     work.
12 picks.
19 shovels.
Lot of shovels and picks (worn out).
27 barrow-handles.
  1 differential block and fall.
  1 lot of pipe dies from £ to  2-inch.
 2 stocks  for ditto.
 1 set of pipe taps from £ to 2-inch.
 1    •"    "  tongs  "          "
14 socket wrenches.
 9 open wrenches.
 4 screw     "
10 drills.
12 cold-chisels.
 1 die plate, dies and tap.
 2 oil cans.
 2 copper fillers.
 1 oil tank and drain.
 2 coal shovels.
 1 set of pokers, hoes, &c.
 1 coal barrow.
 1 Fairbanks' barrow scales.
12 files.
10 draw bolts, &c.
 1 hand bellows.
 1 ratchet drill and brace.
 2 iron clamps.
 1 hand drill.
12 glue brushes.
 1 spirit level.
 1 portable forge,
 2 anvils.
 1 clock.
 1 table.
 6 chairs.
 6 reflecting kerosene lamps.
 1 desk. 
84
                    TOOLS

14 shovels (worn out).
 5 iron bars.
 7 wheelbarrows.
 5 hoes.
12 water-pails.
 5 dippers.
13 picks.
 1 pair stone shears.


              TOOLS  AT

 8 picks.
 6 long horses.
 8 shovels.
 2 iron bars.
 2 earth rammers.
 2 riveting  hammers.
 1 paving     "
 2 stone       "
 1 face        "
 1 pinch bar.
 1 cold-chisel
12 drills.
 3 soldering furnaces.
 2 solder kettles.
 1 handsaw.
 2 bitt stocks.
 2 tool-boxes.
AT  RESERVOIR.
      1 chain.
      2 pinch bars.
      1 axe.
      1 saw.
      2 hammers.
      2 watering-pots.
      5 rammers.
      6 masons hods.
CHARLESTOWN  SHOP.
1 hand-cart.	
2 chisels,.	
2 hatchets.	
1 screw-driver.	
2 coach wrenches.	
2 service "	
1 small steel pick for	service-boxes.
1 bench vise.	
1 Fairbanks' scales.	
2 pails.	
1 water dipper	
1 watering-pot.	
1 stove and pipe	
1 trowel.	
2 iron-turns.	
4 clamps.	
 
85
TABLE OF YEARLY  RAIN-FALL, BOSTON AND VICINITY,
                      1818 to 1865.
. Year.	Boston.	Waltham.	Lowell.	Cambridge.	Cochituate.	Worcester.
1818	42.99					
1819	35.48					
1820	44.18					
1821	36.89					
1822	27.20					
1823	4730					
1824	36.02 .					
1825	35.34	34.59	28.46			
1826	41.14	37.44	32.49			
1827	48.91	50.65	51.86			
1828	32.41	41.71	37.67			
1829	46.85	42.09	36.94			
1830	42.95	47.00	42.59			
1831	61.61	45.77	51.73			
1832	46.69	47.21	52.90			
1833	37.86	39.11	43.87			
1834	39.60	38.91	31.78			
1835	37.86	39.30	32.42			
1836	40.86	35.10	35.53			
1837	33.52	37.98	30.86			
1838	42.52	40.75	37.52			
1839	41.10	38.80	38.21			
1840	49.16	42.00	38.70			
1841	47.03	41.70	40.38			
1842	39.11	38.24	38.61	40.13		40.25
1843	46.69	40.46	39.47	50.81		51.69
1844	37.54	34.09	35.71	35.98		37.57
1845	46.32	43.04	39.00	47.56		39.66
1846	29.95	26 90	28.03	30 37		37.12
1847	46.93	43 90	46.26	48.22		46.94
1848	40.98	36.23	42 29	43.04		39.53
1849	40.30	40.74	41.90	40.97		38.20
1850	53.98	62.13	51.09	54.07		54.42
1851	44.31	41.00	45.68	41.97	43.97	45.68
1852	47 94					59.00
1853	48.86	45.04	43 92	53.83	55.86	59.65
1854	45.71	41.29	42.08	45.17	43.15	59.51
1855	44.19	40.63	44.89	47.59	34.96	55.05
1856	52.16	42.33	42.49	53.79	40.80	49.76
1857	56.87	44.04	49.38	57.92	63.10	51.89
1858	52.67	37.40	37.73	45.46	• 48.66	
1859	56.70	48.49	47.51		49.02	
1860	51.46		46.91	46.95	55.44	
1861	50.07		43.32	50.14	46.44	
1862	61.06		44.26	57.21	49.69	
1863	67.72	53.66	52.37	56.42	69.30	
1864	49.30	36.56	40.64	49.10	42.60	
8 
86
             ANALYSES OF MYSTIC POND  WATERS.
   In January, 1836, the water of Mystic Pond was analyzed by
Dr. Jackson, of Boston, who gives it as being purer than any of
the pond or river waters in this locality, Spot Pond alone excepted.
He pronounced it a water every way suitable for  all domestic or
manufacturing purposes.
   In  October,  1859, Dr. A. A. Hayes, Assayer to the State'of
Massachusetts,  made a  very careful examination of  Mystic Pond
waters, to ascertain their fitness for the supply of Charlestown and
Chelsea.  His  valuable  report was presented to the  City Govern-
ment in connection with the report of Baldwin and Stevenson ;
and in a subsequent report he  states  the action upon lead pipes.
The conclusions arrived at by him are thus stated:  " Considering
the nature of the  soil  forming the water-shed, and  the numerous
springs affording a large portion of the water, I entertain no doubt
that the proposed works will so change the character of the pond-
water  as to render  it more pure even than at present."
   .   " Fortunately, experience has been gained through the intro-
duction of the  Cochituate for  supply, under conditions so nearly
similar to  those which will influence  the supply  from   Mystic
Pond,  that we can rely  on that  mainly, while with  the best efforts
to find objections to the water,  my results denote what measure of
purity may be expected from this source.   My opinion is that the
supply from Mystic Pond will be of equal purity and desirable-
ness as that  derived from Lake  Cochituate in  every respect;  and
that the projected improvement of introducing this water for do-
mestic purposes is every way judicious and  economical."   In his
subsequent report, he states that the action  of water upon iron is
rapid,  but that  with  lead its effects are, as with the Cochituate,
to coat the inside of pipes, so that they form in every way a safe
conductor for domestic supply.
   In  November, 1860, Professor  Horsford, of Cambridge,  was
called upon to examine the waters of the Mystic as also those of 
87
Fresh  and Spy Pond, and the tributaries of the upper Mystic.
His report, which is very full in detail, was made to the Commis-
sioners of Boston harbor.  He states that " the water of Cochituate
Lake contains in general  the same constituents that are found in
Fresh  and Spy Ponds, and the tributaries of the upper Mystic,"
and  concludes  that " the  upper Mystic  pond  is, throughout its
depth  an eminently pure and soft water."
   In July, 1862, Professor Silliman, of Yale College, instituted a
series  of  analyses  even more  extended than any previous ones.
His' report was made to the Water Commissioners of Charlestown,
a few months prior to commencing the  construction of  the  works,
and  his results confirm the previous examinations.  The  results
concerning the action of the waters  upon  lead are as follows: —

                       ACTION ON  LEAD.
   There  is no question, respecting  the use  of water,  the  impor-
tance of which is more generally appreciated than that of its action
on lead.  The  almost universal use  of  this metal for  distributing
water  in  houses, and the well-known poisonous character  of the
salts produced when it yields to the chemical action of water, render
an investigation essential in every case where it is proposed to in-
troduce a new  source of supply for a city  or even for a single
family ; since, if former experience has  taught us anything definite
on this subject, it is that there are causes influencing the action of
water  on lead which are beyond the reach of a satisfactory  answer
from any  source  except actual trial in each case.   It is  indeed
true,-as a general proposition,  that  lake and  river waters  do not
usually act on lead to an extent injurious to health, while spring
and well waters are  far more likely to do  so.  The general propo-
sition is also true that every natural water, if left long  enough in
contact with the lead, will acquire  some degree of contamination,
— it may be very slight, and it may be limited to the first contact,
a  second quantity  of water  receiving  no  new  contamination.
Hence it  follows in a large number of important case's that lead
may be used with impunity for the  distribution of water  for do- 
88
mestic use :  witness our  chief cities, Boston,  New  York, Phila-
delphia,  all  of which,  and many others, use leaden distribution
pipes with comparative  impunity.  The medical records do indeed
show some alarming cases of lead poisoning in these cities, but so
rarely and under such conditions as  to warrant the conclusion that
they are entirely exceptional.
   Two series of experiments were instituted to test  this question
in the case of your waters : —
   In  the first series, lead alone was exposed to the action of the
several samples contained in the closed vessels of glass.
   In the second series, slips of bright lead (six inches long and one
inch wide) were prepared with a spot of plumber's solder attached
to one side,  in order that the electrical relations of the lead might
be the same  as in actual use, every joint in a lead pipe  represent-
ing in fact a  voltaic couple.
   Observations were made on the  progress of these experiments
at the end of an  hour, after twenty-four hours, at  the end of
ten days, and at the enc} of a month.
   As  the first series of experiments showed nothing which was not
more  decidedly shown  by the second series, and inasmuch as the
latter  represent more accurately than the first the results of actual
practice, we  will not encumber the report with the rehearsal of the
details of the first series.
   For comparison the second series embraced the Cochituate water,
(Boston), Mill River water (New Haven),  the  well-water  from
Charlestown, before named, and distilled water.
  ' The action of distilled water is due to the presence  of salts of
nitrous acid  which are  always present in ordinary distilled water,
and whose presence has  given  rise  to the common assertion that
pure water dissolves lead very rapidly.    This is  not  true ;  pure
water does not act on  lead  at  all.    It is as well to correct this
popular error, for which there exists the warrant of affirmative state-
ment in  many scientific treatises, leading to erroneous conclusions
of considerable  importance.   The fact is that there is present in 
89
almost all natural waters, rain-water included, a volatile compound
of nitrous acid and ammonia, which rises with the first portions of
water-vapor in the process  of distillation, and is never absent from
common distilled water.  The action of this nitrous compound on
lead is peculiar and deserves a word of explanation, since it is the
active agent  in many cases  of lead corrosion  in spring waters.
The compound which it forms with lead is immediately decomposed
by the carbonic acid dissolved in  the water forming carbonate of
lead (white lead), which is seen instantly to cloud the water.   By
this process the nitrous compound is set free again to act on a new
portion of lead, and  so  on continuously as long as any portion of
carbonic acid is present  (and it is always present to some extent).
Hence  a very minute quantity of this  nitrous compound will  in
time effect  the corrosion, by  this continuous and  constantly re-
newed process, of a large amount  of lead.   This is the reason why
many waters  act on  lead  in which a careful chemical analysis de-
tects no adequate cause  for such corrosion.

 The conclusions which follow from the examinations of the action
         of the waters of upper Mystic upon lead are : —
   First. That the waters of the Abajonna River where  they enter
Mystic Pond  are almost  identical, in their action upon lead, with
the waters of Lake Cochituate.
   Second.  That  the water  drawn from the surface of the pond
 (No. I.) is greatly superior in  this respect to any of the other
 specimens collected at lower levels, and hence it follows,
    Third. That in view of this  superiority it is  important  to in-
crease the thickness of the surface water as much as possible over
the impurer waters which  now rest below  the present  superficial
stratum.
                 8* 
90
COMPARATIVE PURITY OF  WATERS  SUPPLIED kOR PRO-

       POSED  FOR  SUPPLYING  VARIOUS  CITIES.

                                              Solid residue per
                                              gallon, in grains.
Brooklyn, L. I.	. 2.48
	2,62
Mystic Pond, Charlestown (by Silliman), 1862 .	3.22
	3 37
St. Charles River, Quebec .....	3.37
Mill River, New Haven ......	4.00
Mystic Pond (Dr. Hayes), 1859 ....	4.08
Gunpowder, Baltimore . . . . .	4.41
Schuylkill (by Boye")......	4.42
Patroon's Creek, Albany ......	4.72
Cochituate (by Dr. Jackson), 1845 ....	5.00
Pine River, New Haven ......	5.60
Supplied to Detroit ......	5.72
Jones's Falls, Baltimore ......	5.85
Schuylkill (by Booth and Garrett) ....	6.10
Spot Pond, twenty-six feet deep (by Prof. Silliman), 1845	6.19
Troy..........	6.29
Fresh Pond, Cambridge ......	6.32
Ohio River, Cincinnati ......	6.73
Ottawa and St. Lawrence, Montreal .	7.04
Hudson River, Albany......	7.24
Passaic, Jersey City .......	7.44
Mohawk, Troy.......	7.88
St. Charles, Quebec .....'..	8.10
Burlington Bay, Hamilton .....	8.44
Lake Ontario, Rochester ......	10.00
Lake Geneva •••....	10.64
Croton River, New York......	10.93
Genesee River, Rochester .	11.21
Grand River, Hamilton .....	12.66
Sluice Pond, Lynn (Jackson) ....	1.44
 
91
                CHARLESTOWN  WATER RATES.

 THE FOLLOWING ANNUAL  RATES ARE ESTABLISHED BY  THE  CITY
                               COUNCIL.
  Section 20.  Every dwelling-house, occupied by one family, $6, and $2
each for every additional family ;  also, f 1 on every $1,000 or fraction of a
thousand above $1,000  tax  valuation.  In addition  to the foregoing rates,
there shall be charged to each dwelling-house in which a water-closet or bath-
ing tub is used, the sum of $5.
  Model houses, so-called, shall be charged, for each tenement having water-
fixtures within  the same, $3 annually; and $3  in addition for each water-
closet or bathing-tub used; for each tenement not having water-fixtures with-
in the same, but taking the water from general fixtures used in common with
other tenements, $2 annually.
  S$ct. 21.  The following rates for the use of the water in buildings used
and occupied for offices,  shall be charged, namely, for each office having water-
fixtures within  the same, $5 annually ; and for each office taking the water
from fixtures used in common with other offices, $2 annually.  And in addi-
tion to these rates, there shall be charged for each  pan or self-acting water-
closet $3, and for each hopper water-closet, $5 annually.
  Sect.  22.   Hotels,  taverns, and  boarding-houses (said boarding-houses
being valued for the assessment of taxes over $8,000), not including water for
baths, or for uses without the house, shall be charged for each bed for board-
ers  and lodgers within the same, $3.
  Provided, that  in  no  case shall any hotel,  tavern, or boarding-house, be
charged less than if a private dwelling-house.
  Sect. 23.  For each  tenement occupied as a store, warehouse, office, shop,
or for purposes not included in any other classification,  and not requiring
more than an ordinary supply of water, $6 to $25.
  For each water-closet, more  than one  supplied  for the  above, $5 ad-
ditional.
  And for each urinal, wash-hand basin or sink, more than one, $2.50 ad-
ditional.
  Sect. 24.  Private stables, including water for washing  carriages, $6.
  And for each horse over two, $2.
  Livery stables, including water for washing carriages, for each horse, $2.
  Omnibus stables, for each horse, $1.50.
  Truckmen's stables for each horse, $1.25.
  Provided, that in no case shall any stable be charged less than $5. 
92
  Sect. 25.  The right to attach a hose, of not more than five-eighths of an
inch orifice, for washing windows, sprinkling streets or gardens, or for use in
stables, in addition to the charge for other uses, not less than $3 ; and use of
the same shall be limited to one hour per day.
  Sect. 26.  Refectories, confectioneries,  eating-houses,  market  and  fish
stalls, provision  shops, refreshment and oyster saloons, according to the quan-
tity of water used, from $8 to $50.
  Sect. 27.  Public baths, for each tub, $5.
  Sect. 28.  Every printing-office, according to the number of presses used,
not including the supplying of a steam-engine, from $6 to $40.
  Sect. 29.  Stationary steam-engines, working not over ten hours a day
shall be charged by the horse-power, as follows:  for each horse-power up to
and not exceeding ten, the sum of $10;  for each, exceeding ten, and not
over fifteen, the.sum of $8; for  each horse-power over fifteen, the sum of $6.
  Sect. 30.  Every railroad corporation, for supply of locomotive engines
according to the quantity used, as ascertained by metres or  otherwise, and
also for supply of passenger stations.
  Sect. 31.  Steamboats shall  be  charged upon the estimated quantity of
"water consumed, and  at the same rate as charged for manufacturing pur-
poses.
  Provided, however, that  no water shall be  allowed for washing purposes,
except by special permission from  the Water Board, under a penalty of ten
dollars.                                                                  *
  Sect. 32.  For building purposes, for each cask of lime or cement, seven
cents.
  Sect. 33.  Fountains are only to be supplied with water at the discretion
of the Water Board ; and shall  be  charged upon the estimated quantity used
each day, for each one hundred gallons daily consumption, $5.
  Sect. 34.   Bakeries.  For  the average daily use of flour, for each barrel,
the sum of $3 dollars per annum.
  Provided, that in no case shall any bakery be charged less than $6.
  Sect. 35.  All  manufacturing and other business, requiring a large quan-
tity of water, shall be charged therefor, for one  hundred gallons on the aver-
age estimated quantity during the year; the year to be estimated three hun-
dred days, as follows: —
  When the quantity used averages five hundred gallons per day, or less, at
the rate of six cents per one hundred gallons.
  When the  quantity averages  from five hundred to one thousand  gallons
per day, at the rate of five and  two-third cents per one hundred gallons.
  When the quantity averages from one thousand to two thousand  gallons
per day at the  rate of  five and one-third cents per one hundred gallons. 
                                  93

  When the quantity averages from two thousand  to three thousand gallons
per day, at the rate of five cents per one hundred  gallons.
  When the quantity averages from three thousand to four thousand gallons
per day, at the rate of four and two-third cents per one hundred gallons.
  When the quantity averages from four thousand to five thousand gallons
per day at the rate of four and one-third cents per  one hundred gallons.
  When the quantity averages from five thousand to six thousand gallons per
day, at the rate of four cents per one hundred gallons.
  When the quantity averages from six thousand to seven thousand gallons
per day, at the rate of three and two thirds cents per one hundred gallons.
  When the quantity averages from seven thousand to eight thousand gal-
lons per day, at the rate of three and one-third cents per one hundred gal-
lons.
  When the  quantity averages from eight thousand to ten thousand gallons
per day, at the rate of three cents per one hundred gallons.
  When the  quantity used exceeds  ten thousand  gallons per day, the price
shall be fixed by the Water Board, but in no case  at less than two cents per
one hundred gallons. 
          GOVERNMENT


CHARLESTOWN  WATER  WORKS,


             18 6 5.



  MYSTIC  WATER  BOARD.

       Edward Lawrence, President,
       James Dana,
       Everett Torrey,
       Edwin F. Adams,
       Horatio P. Dunnels.

           Clerk of Board,
          William W. Peirce.


      Consulting Engineer,
         Charles L. Stevexson. 
 
 
Area Driiiniig-e B.'
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Route Of Charlestown Water Work

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11

PROFILE OF AOUCDUCT LINE  C.W.W 
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