Illustrations of the Croton AqueductTower, F. B. (Fayette Bartholomew)
History
Illustrations of the Croton Aqueduct
Tower, F. B. (Fayette Bartholomew)
Croton Aqueduct (N.Y.)
In January, 1824, Mr. White made his report, which he prefaced
as follows:--“That he had the honor of receiving a request from
Stephen Allen, late Mayor, to make an examination and estimate of
the expense of furnishing the city with a copious supply of good and
wholesome water. Agreeably to that request, I have made the necessary
surveys, levels and examinations to ascertain the practicability
of the project,” &c. &c. At the same date, Benjamin Wright, Esq.,
reported to the Common Council on the same subject, which he prefaces
as follows:--“In obedience to a request of your honorable body,
communicated to me by Stephen Allen, Esq., late Mayor, in November
last, desiring me to assist Canvas White, Esq., with my advice and
counsel, as to the best method of supplying the city of New-York with
plenty of good water, I beg leave to make the following report,” &c.
Mr. White reported in favor of bringing the water of the Bronx to
the city; taking it from the River at the Westchester Cotton Factory
pond. The natural flow of the River at this place, he stated to be
3,000,000 of gallons per day, in the driest season, and he proposed by
artificial works at the upper Rye pond, and by lowering the outlet of
this pond, to obtain 3,600,000 gallons more per day; thus furnishing
a daily supply of 6,600,000 gallons. The cost of bringing the water
to a reservoir near the Park, was estimated at $1,949,542. Mr. Wright
concurred with him in this opinion.
In 1825 a company was incorporated by the Legislature, and called the
“_New-York Water Works Company_,” with authority to supply the city
with pure water. Canvas White, Esq., was appointed Engineer to this
Company, and in his report to the Directors, he recommended taking the
waters of the Bronx at Underhill’s bridge; estimated that 9,100,000
gallons of water could be delivered in the city daily, and that the
expense would not exceed $1,450,000.
The charter of this company proved so defective in practice, that they
were unable to proceed under it, and they accordingly applied to the
Legislature in 1826 for an amendment, authorizing the company to take
such of the waters, land and materials, by appraisement of indifferent
persons, as might be required for the work. In this application,
however, they were defeated, by the opposition of the Sharon Canal
Company, who claimed, under their charter, all the water on the route
of their canal. The Water Works Company was accordingly dissolved in
1827.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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