The New York Herald Newspaper, March 31, 1876, Page 3

ie ANOTHER DAM GONE, Culmination of the Dam Breakages Mills and Dwellings Shattered and Swept Away. NO LIVES LOST. Hasty Moving of Lares and Penates. SCRAMBLING FOR THE HILLS Cherry Valley Depopulated by Terror. A DAY OF WATCHING. Woncrsran, Mass,, March 30, 1876. Ouring yesterday afternoon it was noticed that there was impending trouble at the Lynde Brook reservoirs, as water was to be scen working through the arch con-, necting the two gatehouses of the dam. Constant watching during the bours of the afternoon seemed to show tbat the leak was not increasing, but just after nightfall a marked increase in the leak was noticed, and fears of serious results were entertained, WARNING NOTES. Tho warning notice of the impending danger was im- mediately sent down the valley through which the threatening flood would rush, should there be a sudden giving away of any great portion of the dam, and the people, mindful of the Mill River disaster and the ro- tent Kettle Brook trouble, were quick to catch the alarm and guard themsélves in every possible way against the imminent danger. REMOVAL OF HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS. To escupe the destruction of life aud property was the first thought of every one, and the removal of all portable household effects to points of safety on the hill was instantly begun. All the oceupants of houses situated in what would be the path of the Good cleared sbeir dweltings as rapidly us possible. The owners of all the mills along Cherry Valley also removed as mach as possible trom their storehouses and manulsctories, EFVORTS TO AVERT THE DANGER were ulso made, The gates in all the dam along the ralley were opened to allow as free a tlow of the dowd- ing water as possible. At the dam Water Comm. souer Hall, with a large foree of workmen, was early at the scone of troable, and every possible endeavor was made to Make the breaking dam hold together un- til the pressing water should gradually be drained off. The leak slowly gained ground, and when the doors of the lower gate were burst in a stream of water poured but, showing by its turbid condition that it was work- lng its way up under the arch from a point in the dam near the bottom of the reservoir. The gates could not be opened, us the Hood was boiling up dircetly through the gatehouse and bad warped the gates. The Water Departincat workmen found theinselves unable to stay the destructive work of the angry water, aud at mid- night the flow was seen to be steadily increasing, and fears begun to be expressed that a sadden break might occur, A warning was then sent throughout the Black- none Valley. DRAWING OFF THE WATER. The water, when first it was let out of the gatehouse by the bursting of the doors, ran some three feet deep, but by one o'clock its depth was fully four feet, About two o’clock the authorities ordered that a large number of the hydrants throughout the city be opened, and several thousand gallons of water wero by this means drawn trom the reservoir, Still the water rushed from the dam in tmereasing volume, and from midnight the stream throogh the valley bad been ris- ing at the rate of some two fect an hour. fSefore three the drain through the city pipes was stopped, as the ‘water no longer fowed into and through them A MOMENTARY CHKOK. Toward morning the quantities @f baled hay which had been thrown into the breach seemed to prove in a measure efficacious, and at about six o'clock there seemed a stay in the force and volume of the flood. The waters newly dammed by these hay bales ploughed around their edges with fearful power and gradually wore new and enlarged passages, through which it again poured in gaining floods. The break gained for ‘an hour or two, and the sudden breaking away of the structare was once more seriously apprebended. THR LOCATION OF THE BREAK. The break on the upper side ts.a little to the west of the upper gatehouse, Below the water shows only at the gatehouse, but it is running through the break ind overtiowing at the gatehouse window, It does not tome through the gates, which are shut, SCKNK AT THE DAM. Mossengers leaving the dam at a quarter to oine o'clock A. M., a quarter-past nine and haif-past nine revorted no great change im tho situation. At aine v’clock there Was quite a crowd at the dam and a string vf teams lined the neighboring fences, The tap of the dui was doteed with knots of spéctators, who were kept away to some extent from where the break was by a rope guarded by the police, The break, it should be remembered, is underneath the dam, although on the upper side the dirt bas caved so us to show plunly the place of the trouble below. Un the lower side of the dam the water barst In two cataracts through the windows ot the gatehouse, and the muddy torrents poured swiltly down the valley. A considerable number of city officials of different ranks were present this morn- ing, but up to nine o'clock about all that was done was to roll up bags of hay aud drop them into the bole from above. The bay bags, which had eace proved nearly effective in stopping the leak, now, at the most, did n0 more thanto keep it from rapidly growing jarger. in fuct, some of the bags were presently foand below the dam, having passed through, A NKW CHANNEL There seemed to be «lack of leadership, but consul- tations of those in authority were frequent. It was proposed to cut the dam at the northwest corner, leav- Ing it to take the channel of Parson's Brook, thus re- Neving the weight on the dum. This scheine met with objection, but about hall-past gine o'clock it was seca Mbat romethiag mast be dene, and a gang of men were Went around to doit, Another gang were set to work bn the shore to cut trees and throw them into the gap. It does not exactly appear why this was not dono toouer, The crowd aroand the dam was increasing, quite 4 number arriving on horseback, ready to try face with the flood if necessity should arise, The Cherry Valley road was still travelled, although a good many preferred the sivep but sale back road over the hulls via Tatnuck, Was thought by some to bo increasing @ little, but by wthers to show vo increase. The water in the reser- foir was only lowermg at the rate of about an inch an hour, The plan of stopping the leak with a great eail or piece of sail cloth was privately sogzested to several Of those iu authority, but nobody seemed to think it worth while to do anything, although it was said there was plouty of saiicloth jn the mills half a mile below: This plan of using @ sail bas im practice proved efficacious, and notably im the case of the Dreaking of the Thames embankment, where, of course, there was no such — thing ay drawing off the water. The sail was put down, heavily weighted with stones at the lower ond, and tho water of course at once sucked it against the break, stopping the trouble in @ great measure for the mo, ment, Alter (hat it way on easy mattor to patch the k with anything baody, It is the same ¢ian used hips whep they spring a leak im any place whieh hed. VIGOROUS MEASURES, Tue Mayor arrived on the grounds at about nine o'clock, aud alter Viewing the situation of affurs ex- pressed the idea that though all the water in the reser. voir woulll be Jost the efforts to mend the leak would be succesful. Ata quarter-past pine 4 gag of men bogan Wecutdown the pine trees below the reservoir, and these tees were hauled in largo carts up the steep side bili to tue brouk, At half-past nine a gung of mon with At this time the water rapning through | NEW YORK HERALD, FRID picks began to cut a alu!ceway atthe easterly end of the reservoir to allow the water to run into Parson’s Brook. From the gate house to where the place is cut the artificial embankment 18 heavily laid in cement. it was thought, would prevent the breaking away of the embankment, Fears were expressed that the water would run into Leicester strect and cause damage in that direction, flooding New Worcester and running into Curtiss’ Pood. At half-past ten o'clock a gang of men, under Highway Commissioner Parker, began to work, shovelling dirt into carts to be hauled.to the break. ‘Loads of hay, dirt and trees bad checked the flow of the water about one-half, Hopes were expressed that the flow would be stopped, though there were still huge cracks around the upper gate house, DIVERSE OPINIONS. At balf-past ten o'clock the trees were running through to the gate house, and there seemed to some a | slight increase again perceptible in the water. Engtneer Blake thought the dam must yo. Water Commissiouer Hall ana Register Brown thought the danger over. The following despatch was sent. Curry Vatuny, March 30—11 o'clock, ‘The water at the gateway is lowering. E, H. KNOWLTON, ON THE CHERRY VALLEY ROAD, The crowd of vehicles was steadily tucreasing on the Cherry Valiey road, and about ten o'clock the police Stopped them at Hodge’ apd their owners, who went on bad to take to tho fields Tho dan- wer of venturing up the Leicester road im face of the possible rush of waters was not so Breatas it looked, although many proferred the back roads over the hills. The Toad 1s high a great part of the way, and although there were dangerous spots there would be warning, probably, to give time for one to’reach a place of safety. At the corper, at Hodge's, the water had at times ran over the road. The stream crosses this at right angles. In the event of a break this place at tho foot of the hilly road, leading up to | the dam, would be the most dangerous on the road. At the da.n there was no danger if the spectator kept away from the break itself, THE POLICE were present at the scene of the trouble in full force, as their services were required to protect the large quantities of property removed trom the threatened | houses and manufactories and piled in confasod col- | lections on the side hills, The officers were also kept | busy in restraining the immense throng of crowding | sightseers which was constantly being recruited by fresh arrivals from the city, and keeping spaces cleared for the workmen, who were making endeavors to till | up and block the break. ‘The curious crowd had many of them driven out in curriages, and they were so de- | eldedly inthe way that the maintaining of any kind | of order amid the pandemonium of scenes and | sounds was no easy labor, At a quarter past eleven o’clock the water stopped running through the small window of tue lower gate house. This was @ great gain since nine o'clock. At twenty-five min- utes past eleven o'clock the water was again increasing and running through the small window. Tho holo at the upper side was larger tuan one hour ago. THE NKW OUTLET, ‘The opening om the east sido of the dam was progress- ing. The workmen found about three feet of frost. Great hopes were entertatned of the relief from this new outlet; but, on the other hand, people on the lino | of Parson’s Brook and below were grumbling. They | feared the effect of this artificial freshet. The city gov- | ernment were nearly all on the ground and the police | kept the people on the dam away from the upper gate | house, where there were large cracks, Attwelve o’elock the Mayor ordered the continu- ance of the opening on the east side. ‘Tho water did not appear to be lowering much, It had lowered al- together twenty inches. All the gates at New Worces- ter and all the sewer gutes were open, drain- ing from Centre Pond. Much dissatisfaction was expressed because Engineer Blake was not allowed to open the cagt cut at once and so reliove the pressure at the break, Many prominent men advised, according to their various opinions, the Mayor, anda great dif ference of opinion existed. The Mayor was hopeful of | reducing the flow through the lower gatehouse by the process of filling, so that the gates could be opencd and relicf securigl. The volume of water at the lower gate continued to diminish slowly. It would be of no | use to open the city hydrants and thereby draw down Hont’s reservoir and Bell Pond, communicating with them down the valiey. AVURRHESSIONS QUIRTED, Special despatches received from points along the | Blackstone valley chow that the people in that vicinity, | ut first alarmed by the warning sent down from this city, are gradually recovering their contidenco in safety as the threatened flood has been sa long delayed. A frows Usorulge states that the people there think that since both their dams were carried away by the last freshet, wo further damage can happen to them, At twelve o'clock the break still held its own, but the water in the gate house was ranning more slowly, indicating that the leak was n» worse, at joast, The question of getting at the gate to open it was still doabtfal. The Mayor believed that the dam would hold and that the water would escape safely | through the break, City Engincer Blake advocated | tho completion of the cutting of the east dam to allow | an escape of part of the water through Parson’s Brook, He was sure he could control the flow it it were com- pleted. The depth of water at the cast dam was cigh- teen feet, while at the gute house it was thirty fect, Sir. Blake was of the opinion that the reservoir must be exhausted in any event, and the sooner the better. ‘The opponcuts of this plan feared DANGER TO LPR, along Parsdn’s Brook if the cut should be opened. ‘The work of making it progressed dowa toward the water jive, after reaching which it was intended to | wait further deviopments, { At one o'clock the water was flowing’ more rapidly throagh the arch at the outer side of the dam, but bad diminished through the lower gate house. The work- mon wore again filling in om the upper side with bags of bay and stone The use of pine boughs was sus- | pended, But little water was passing through the lower gate house. One opinion was that the archway upder the dum had been undermined and had fallen in, causing a larger flow at tho outlet and diminishing that throagh the gate house. ‘TUX HURAK GAINING AGAIN, At two o'clock the break was gaining, The Mayor decided to open the east cut ax soon as possible, The wuter would come out at the Valley Falls school house and might take the biguway to New Worcester which would prevent travel by the main road, There was only one opinion, and that was that wo mast get relief from the cut, The paople in the valley | had bec@ warned, but great risk was involved to hie | aud property below if the water got beyond control, All bands were ot work on the | cut Engincer Blake hoped to secure the | opening with plank and paving and draw the water off gradually, but it was feared that If an opening was once made the water wauld sear out the bank and make havoc all along the line. The lower tloor of Crompton’s carpet factory ut South Worcester was | cleared of movavies in anticipation of the ex- | pected flood, Assistant Fire Enginoer Wrophy, | who left the damm at about Lall-past one o'clock this = afiernoon, says tar ow had been decided not to make the cut through the east dam, THe condition of aflairs at the main dain was reported by Mr. Brophy as more favorable, tess water | coming ont at the lower gate house than an hour or two previeus. His opinion was that the main struc- taro would stand aod that the cut in the east dam was unnecessary as weil uy unsale, Phiveas Ball expressed the opinion that all bad been done so lar that was possible, He thought the cut to the east Guia should not be made, except as a last re- sort, When it ui, ht be adViswble to turn a partot the water that way, The Mayor had received « doxpateh trom the Mayor of Providence, offering the use of | three steamers in cave wt fire, if necessary. The flow of water at the lower gate house | was increasing and tho prospect was dubious Large rocks wore coming through the wasie way and mili meu beloved that if these got fast im the waste | pipe it will force up the waste gates. If this happened it was expected that a Lurst through the body of the dam would occur, The workmen were at lunch aud the mombers of the city government were watching the water, The crowd of spectators bud diminished. Many went away about noon wuder the impression that the trouble was over. THY SITUATION AT THREK O'CLOC At three o'clock Str. Ball was stili on the ground and ‘was of ypiniou that the dam would stand. His theory Was tiatif the dam was gomg, it would have gone hours ago, The hole at the upper gate was working across the dam, anu there seemed to be a goneral opin- 10n that the dam would go botore night, 1 not relieved. Tbe crowd remaiuod avout the same, bat was more | | going of with’ the flood, | the watershed of the Whole stream was as yet available | paratus that it would pump water direct trom Kettle | the efficioncy cautious of approaching the upper gate, The cut in the east dam was nearly completed. At New Worcester at half-past three o'clock there was but little excitement in regard to impending danger. At Curtis’ Pond the water was very muddy. | Four waste pipes have been ranning from the reser- | voir all day, At Curtis’ counting room danger was | apprehended if the dam broke. Gangs of men and women, with teams and on foot, had all day visited the reservoir, and it had been a profitable day for the horse railroad, At four o'clock the fotlowing came from Cherry Val- ley:—*The trench is dug two feet below the water line, about three feet wide, and a stone wall is laid in, The wall runs lengthwise of the dam in the midale, and this is reliod upou to hold the embankment, The trench will be widened ten or twelve tect, and the wall re- lmoved as fast as safely wiliadmit. The water was let through the tronch at five minutes before four o'clock ; volume about three fees by three, The wall holds well, The gate house is now dry, but fullof débris.” RUIN THREATENING. At ive o’clock the report from Cherry Valley was as ‘The water is running through the trench very slowly and not over six inches deep. It has not reached the highway at the Valley Falls school house. It willbe hours before it makes any change in the poud at this rate. The break at the main dua is again enlarging and the situation s still threatenimg. The trench is being decpened and widened. The trouble OW seems to be to get the water through jhe trench fast enough. This ts the only hope.” 5:30 P, M.—Thero isno help. The dam js under- mining rapidly, The workmen have all ‘leit to save themselves. Tho-bank is going fast. The gatehouse is surrounded with rushing torrents.” é THR CRASH. “$:45 P. M.—A clear cut of thirty teet of the dam has gone, the pond emptying instantly in a torrent. Olney’s house, formerly S. L. Hodge’s, is surrounded by the food, The telegraph office is surrounded with wator as wo write, Tho mill adjoining still stands, The chances are that tho pond willempty itself. The spec- tacle is grand, but the crowd has fled to Worcester. 7 P. M.—A reporter has just arrived from tho scene, who says that the dam broke about six o'clock. The torrent struck Smith’s mill at six o'clock, and it went like a pipe stem. Nothing of it was left at twenty minutes past six o'clock but the front wail. The water at Smith’s dam seemed to be twenty fect above the dam and about the sume at the dam below, Both dams were holding then, but must go. The trees below were swept away like rushes. Everything is The scenes aro terrible, Women are running about and screaming, and all is confusion on the banks, At New Worcester the bells are ringing to call everybody out All is excitement and consternation. STILL LATER Another reporter, arriving from the dam, says tho break has widened to cighty fect. The lower gate house fell with a crash, Below, at the corner, Olney’s barn, formerly Hodge’s, was carried off bedily, and the house was turned around and is probably wrecked, ‘The James A, Smith mill is nearly gone, ‘The dam bas also goue. The Bottomly mill, run by A. E. Smith, was taken up and swept away entire, and several dwellings wero also swept away. At Ashworth & Jones? the boiler house and south end of the mill have gone. At Hunt's mill the dye house and dam were | swept off, Darling’s mill is oll right, except that the flume bas gone off, AT NEW WORCKSTER. The interest now centres at New Worcester, where Coo’s Pond is rapidly falling. In the opinion of the peeple at the dai at half-past six o'clock tho worst had come, and the torrent was at its height The | breach of eighty feet was reducing the body of water very rapidly; and the’ Danks wore crambling, still ft was impossible to tell how much of | the water of the reservoir was lowered, but the banks showed that it bad fect. It was guessed that the water was some eight feet lower. Thh lower gate house stood nobly, the west balf of it going first, where the breach widened | from thirty fect to perhaps fifty. Tho whole structure | ‘went over with a crash, The same torrent twisted off | some of the large trees below in the channel. At this | moment the scene was unspeakably grand, and every spectator held his breath, iu NO LIVES LOST. Not a life was reported lost along the valley up to nearly seven o'clock. The banks were lined with people, and household furniture scattered bigh up out of the water, Mr. Tobey, the operator of the lin line, who had stood nobly at his post, “bit off the ‘word “Worcester”? in the middle, and, together with the representative of the Gazette, had barely time to get to | ‘the bank. Almost 80 or 100 feet of tho Boston and Albany Railroad at Jamesville are carried away, and as the water approaches, the Norwich and Worcester and Providence railroads must suffer. As yet no one can tell what wil be the offect when the | water reaches the Blackstone River, The consterna- | tion and excitement in the factory villages have been | great. Almost all the people have moved their worldly | effects to a place of safety. As yet no lives have been reported lost. & COMPLETE REMEDY for the disaster of course is to bo found only in the repair of the dam and the refiling of the reservoir, This would be a work of time and it is possible that the whole%summer might not suffice to fill the reservoir. There are, however, two | expedients which could be regorted to for a temporary | water supply, of such a character that an absolute water famine could be averted and a supply sufficient, with proper economy, for ordinary uses could be ob- | tained. Ove of these ia a diversion of the water of | Kettle Brook to Lynde Brook reservoir, This scheme was fully discussed last season, when a water famine | was possible and appeared to many persons of good Judgment to be tho most economical of all the plans then proposed. Kettle Brook runs parallel with the Lynde Brook reservoir and wost of it, the two being soparatod by a ridge of land from three-quarters of mile to a mile in width, \ The plan suggested last season was to cut an opening trench between the two at an estimated cost of $1,500, with the idea of putting ina thirty-inch tron pipe for a permanent remedy of ex- igencies. Whenever it was thought desirable, for temporary purposes, the open trench would be ade- quate to supply the city. ‘The giving way of tho upper resorvoir on Kettle Brook oo Monday destroyed A LARGE SURPLOS OF WATER sunk several |) which could by this means have been available, for there were yet severai smaller roservoirs intact, and for the securing of the results of the curront rainfall. ‘The necessity for emptying the Lynde Pond reservoir tw reach the foundations of its dam for purposes of re: pair would, if this scheme were adopted, compel the construction of the proposed trench down on the two streams, striking the main pi the reservoir below the dam. The distance would be | about the same, but there would be required some con- trivance to copneet the trench with the pipe, This scheme would require only a short time to complete it, ‘The excavation of atrench a mile long would be the | principal work, THE OTHER sonuNE could probably be made available ina less time. It will be remembered that a few years since--before the high service pipe was laid—a scarcity of water oc- curred, and a lar; pump was set at New Worcester, with a high standpipe, by which a supply of water was takon from Tatnuck Brook, Since then water bas been pumped trom Kottle Brook for tho same puopose, Last seasoa, when there was fear of a sbort supply, this pamp was thorougnly refitted and had new valves put in, so strengthening the ap- and Tatnuck brooks, at New Worcester, into the igh service pipe, overcoming whatever pressare might | result from 1 je Brook reservoir and marmtaiming | of the high service, The supply of | water in Kettle Brook is, of course, dimmished by the | disaster of Monday, but the amount still running | through Cherry Valley and the additional amount coming into the brook at New | Worcester from the Ram's Horn rook, which | comes through Sisbury and Auburn would be sufficient for a temporary supply, or Tatnuck Brook, which bas | a full supply, could be mado availab.e by the use of the | pump, 10 fact the pump could be so located as to so: | cure the watefs of both Kettle aod Tatnuck brooks, ‘The capacity of this pump 1s 1,000,000 gallons in tweuty- : four hours, Either of these schemes, of course, in- volves expense, the chief of which would be the com- peneation of mill owners for the diversion of the water; but this would not be exorbitant, and in the presence of un extreme emergency, ike the destruction of the ordinary water supply of w city like Worcester. the | other day, aod that ove or more men wore kept con- stantly there, They close the report with the ‘remark that, in view of Mr, Frailcts’ opinion ‘of the strength of the m and of the | has not resulted (rom an overflow of the water at the | | through which the outlets pass, ever since it was con- f AY, MARCH 31. 1876,—TRIPLE SHEET. question of expense in any otherwise feasible plan for temporary supply would be a question of minor mpor- tance, It is probable that a special meeting of the City | Couneil wilt be held at once to consider the master and | take tho necessary steps to avert the worst results of the disaster. The following diagram gives some idea of the position | of the dam :— + Lyndo Brook Reservoir. H Dam. Kettle Brook. © Tatnick, be Worcester. @ New Worcester. HISTORY’ OF THE RESKRVOIR, The original dam was built on Lynde Brook in 1863, wher tho Hon, D, Waldo Lincoin was Mayor, and was rebuilt in 1870~' under the supervision of Mr, Phineas Ball, City Engineer, By this rebuilding tne original dam was raised nineteen feet and the capacity of the reservoir was raised to a maximum of 663,330,000 gallons, or, by the use of flash boards, to 775,572,000 gallons. {n fact, this latter amount was stored there May 11, 1873, The outict and wastepipe of the reser- vor are twenty-four inch iron pipes, extending beneath the dam, a gatehouse being erected at each side of the dam. The stone heading of the arch, which carries these pipes under the dum on the side next the water, 18 a mass of solid stone masonry, in coment, ten fect in thickness, Thore is also a waste gate at the lower gatehouse, thirty inches in diameter, The dam is faced with a heavy wall of masonry and has fn its body soveral spiling walls parallel with the face wall of stone laid in cement, ‘The spaces between these walls are filled | in with clay, whieh, when put in, was thoroughly paddied | and packed. ‘The, dam on the water side is protected by a closoly laid cobble paving to provent washing and attrition by the waves, When enlarged, in 1870, it was 80 strongly built as to be considered entirely safe ifcarried up five feet higher, that being the ultimate purpose at the time, to be accomplished whenever the | additional capacny of the reservoir was required. Mr. Phineas Ball, City Engineer, was confident that, even with this proposed additional beight—whica, however, bas never been added—the dam would be en- tirely safe, Alter the memorable disaster at Mill River, iu the western part of the State, to allay public appre- hension aud to fully determine the character and per- manence of the dum, Jumes B. Francis, of Lowell, a civil engreer second to no other in New England, was employed to make a thorough survey and report thereon to the Committee on Water of the City Coun- | ci This report, dated June 29, 1874, is as follows :— REPORT ON THK DAM. GeytLkmen —Ip pursuance of your vote of the Lith inst, I have inspected the dam at the Leicester Reser- voir of the Worcester Water Works, aud wake the tollowing report of the samo: — 1 visited the dam with your Board on the 24th ult, Mr. Phineas Ball, the engineer under whose direction it was constructed, and Mr. W. H. Hayward, who ispectod the work during its progress, were ulso pres- ent, and gave me such information as’ appeared to be necessary in relation to the same, The principal feature of the dam is the embankment, This is of ainy > thickness, made of excellont material, and, from allt, y information I could gather, 1s well put together, ln | opinion, however, it 1s not high enough above the uvel of the water in tho reservoir, At the time of | vigit the water was retained by flash boards the rollway to a height of about two feet abgh © the sill or to a height of two and-a-half feet only be the top of the embankment, Mr. Ball informs MO that it was not originally intended to carry the water so high, but that itis done for the purpose ot storing a larger voluine of water, As the necessity for this will probably continue, | think the embankment should be raised about three feet, so as to make the top of it not less than five fect above the surface of the water an the reservoir when full, The rollway, 1 think, is of suflicient size to discharge the surplus water, when not on! obstructed by the tush board. |t 18 of course intended to take them off in caso of ne- ceasity, but it is mot cortain that this will always be done, and to be gafe at all times, I think the side walls and adjoining wing pilings should be raised an amountequal to the beightof the flash. Dvourds. The channel to carry off the water from tho rollway, as now constructed, I think, is liable wo be washed out, the paving being msuflicient im case the rollway sbould discharge water to near its full capacity, oe tes chee aiobeuls So ariabed uct the rollway might gowith It, which would inake a breach in the dam. ‘The water is drawn trom the reservoir by means of | two cast iron pipes, two feet in diameter. They are laid | jo an arched gallery of masonry eight feet wide und of about the same height iu the centre, Mr, Balt informs me that it was designed to have an inverted | arch at the bottom, but it was omitted, On account of the great inilux of water from springs x paving was | substituted, which furnishes a looron which to lay tie | pipes, but does vot prevent the entrance of any water | either from springs or the reservo r that may find its | way to the vottom of the masonry as constructed The passage of water from the re: ir to the gallery is stopped by the patural gravel bauk and the puddie in contact with the masonry, By the plans shown me | itappears that there is about thirty feet in thickness of gravel at the nearest point between the water in the reservoie and the bottom of the Lig! The gate house and gallery, | am informed, are both buile in the natural ground, Which 18 a solid compact gravel, They | have stood two or three years without showing any sign of failure, and I see no reason why they shoud not stand equally well m future, although, fro Want of a suitable Inverted arch to the gale! it the weakest point im the bottom of the suggest thal a permanent apparatus be patin the | brook just below the dam to gauge the leakage of the dam and the flow from springs for the purpose | of iidicatiog auy changes that may take place. | volume of water how Howing from these twe sources 1s | small, bat it will be very important nercatter to have the meaus of knowing whether it increases or atmin- isbes, Respectlully submitted, JAMES B, FRANCIS, UNEASINESS OF THE NEIGHBORS. Subsequent to this report, September 7, 1874, a peti- tion was received by the City Council from George W. Olney & Co, and other mill owners on Kettle Brook, below the junction of Kettle and Lynde brooks, setting forth that in their opinion the dam was not en- tirely safe, asking for permanent watchman at the dam to give warning if danger should manifest itself. They also asked that measures be taken to carry into effect the recommendations con- | tained in Mr, Francis’ report, This petition was re- ferred to the Committee on Water, and they reported Septembor 14 that, according to the suggestion of Mr. | Francis, the water bad been drawn off to four and a | halt feet lower than when he was there; that the com. | mittee considered the dam perfectly safe at all times, ‘They also say that during the whole season the Water | Commissioner bad visited the dam as often as every precautions already takon, the petitioners have uo cause for alarm. This report is sigied by A. G. Coes, D. 8 Goddard, George Gevr and Thomas Doon, | It isto be borne in mind that the present accident top of the dam, which Mr. Francis and the till owners geem especially to have feared, but trom a concealed leak near the base of the structure. It may also be stated that the Water Commissioner has continued his almost daily visits to the dam and that a inan has been regularly employed to visit the dam daily and record the height of the water from day to day. The Lynde Brook resorvoir is 3343; feet above Green street, The Mant and Bell pond reser. | voirg, which are relied upon to supply the low service, | so called, about 125 feet above the same point, The two lat of course depend for their supply upon | Lyude Brook Reservoir, but are used to avoid too great a pressure upon the pipes in the lower part of tho city. at emauy LEAK | bas existed In the arched passage under the dam, | structed, This was supposed to come from springs | whieh were encountered while excavating lor the | foundations, but as a saleguurd against danger, if the leak should be in the body of the dam, a weir was | put in to measure the quantity of water escaping | through this leak, The fow of the water | from this leak has been uniform since 1 was pat in, Last Monday the weir, which bad for a month shown a flowage of 7-100 inch, showed an increase of 3-100 ineh, ‘but fell again yesterday afternoon 2-100 inch, When the flow of water trom the break began this weir was, of course, covered up, and ite condition is unknown, A DANGEROUS WASH-OUT, Coxcorp, N, H., Mareb 30, 1876, A wash-oat occurred on the Concord Railroad about ) ing of | night ut Chickering Hall, | about twenty pieces, the best, probably, that could be a mile above Martin’s Ferry at four o'clock ; A force was set to work to repair it, and a Lg ty due here at ten minutes to six o'clock was Om the track waiting about half a mile below, The ap paesetie ger train from Manchester at ten minutes to ‘wine | o'clock was signalled, Brakes were reversed, but not im Umue to prevent a collision, The engineer jumped off and escaped, but the fireman, William Sawtelle, was thrown back in (ho tender, which telescoped its entire length with the baggage car. He was severely, and perhaps, fatally injured. Assistant Super: iidreth and Assistant Roadmaster Williat were very seriously injured. Both engines we smashed. The baggage car of the passenger train w: wreeked and six or seven freight cars more or less damuged. PRACTURE OF A BRIDGE. THE CITY OF HARTFORD STRIKES THE AIR LINE RAILROAD DRAWBRIDGE AT MIDDLETOWN, CONN.—NONE OF THE PASSENGERS I¥; JURED—A SPECTATOR'S STORY, New Havey, Conn., March 20, 1876. At about ten o'clock last night as the steamer City of Hartford was passing down the river at Middletown the boat missed the draw of the Air Line bridge over the Connecticat River and, striking ber bow aguinst | the west side of the pier next to the pivut pier, carried aWay the span west of the draw, feet long and now lies across. the stern of the bout. ‘Tho passengers, about fifty in number, escaped with- out injury. A pilot and oiler are reported severely in- jured. STORY OF A SPRCTATOR, A gentleman who was present when the steamer struck gives the following particulars of the accident: — ‘Yhe river was very much swotlen and the current ranning at 4 rapid rate, making the steering of the boat a diticult matter, When immediately opposite the draw the steamer veered to the right, missing the draw entirely and striking the second span on the west side. ‘The pilot house and forward part ot the cabin were completely demolished, the pilots escaping with diticulty, The weight of the iron across the decks and reaching to the bed of the river held the steamer | securely anchored in the middle of the stream just below the draw, where she now lies, with her decks nearly on a level with the water, Her hull was dam- aged by striking against the pier, but she is not ex- pected to sink. The depth of the water is about twenty-five feet. ‘The force of the collision overturned the fires and set fire tu the wood work, but by the prompt use of the hose the flames were extinguished, and, doubtless, a terrible catastrophe averted. Great excitement pre- vuilod among the passengers, especiully as the grind- alarming noise, resembling thunder, They rushed alt, us soon as practicable were ail landed directly op: posite the seene of the disaster. The pilot and one of i the crew are tho ouly ones ascertained to have been in- | jured. The damage to the bridge is catimated at $50,000, Work of repairing will be begun as soon as practic: bie, The trathe of the road will not be interrupted, as passengers are transferred by means of the terry, The steamer City of Hartford is ono of the oldest boats on the line, “The cause of the accident ts as yet unknown. The night was clear and the draw could be distinctly seen for a long distance. The pilots assert that the stecring apparatus became deranged, making the boat unmanageable. AMUSEMENTS, BOOTH’S THEATRE, Last night the hundredth performance of “Julius Cwsar” was given before a large and enthusiastic au- dience, Long belore the doors were opened a crowd was gathered outsido anxious to sce the much talked of revival The management was in high spirits last | night, and Mr, Jarrett, arrayed in classical evening costume, surveyed the throng of spectators with un- feigned dehght. Ex spes et ratio studioram.in Cawsare tantam; Solus cnim tristes hae tempestate Camenas Respexit they exclaimed, That is, they would say so if they read the great Roman sutirist; but it is certain | thoy rejoiced that “Julius Cwsar’ was & hit and drew. It is uo small compliment to the good taste and ap- preciation of pure art among the New York public that such a play as this should have had a successful run of 100 nights. This success has not been due to either the mig.ty genius of the great author nor to the excellent acting of many of tho parts nor to the Irish Roman legions nor to the barbaric tribes nor to the magnitieyit scenery, nor yet to the distinguished visitors who have satin decorated boxes, Dut to all these attractions when placed before tue public to- gether. The pure and elegant diction ot this remark- able tragedy has been rendered in an almost taultless manner by those distinguish od artists without whom it is safe to say that the revival would have fallen flat upon the public, The noble bearing and caretul read- ing of Mr. Davenport, the magnilicent elocution ot 3M Barrett aud the florid eloquence of Mr. Bangs bave joined in fulfilling the prophecy of Cassius— How many ages hence Shall this our lofty tragody be acted o'er, In Siateunborn and ascents yet uaknown f For one hundred times Caesar has been nightly mur- dered in the Senate chamber aud his murderers are not even “shadowed”? by a New York detective. A sense of satisfaction mingled with sadness pervaded the wctors and mavagement last night. The former seemed to have reached its climax as Brutus exclaimed, “Oh, Julius Cwsur,thou art mighty yet!” which be did with unctuous delight, as much as to say, ‘It will draw in the provinces; sadness, for the near ap- prouch of dissolution’ was also’ apparent, and it would hardly have seemed out of place if the actors, waving their swords, ha:t approached the footlights, ex: claiming ‘Ave, Tooker, nos moritari le salutamus,”” At the eud of the fourth act the four principal char- | acters were called before the curtain, and being re- called individually, they cach made a’ short speech. First, Mr. Barrett said that although it was meant kindness to ask him for a speech, yet it was a kindness that kilis, He then procetded “to thank the audi- ence for the — kind ception which — they | | bad given bim, and “he spoke warmly of the success of the Shakespearian — revtval. He was lollowed by Mr. sangs, who, with gracotul gesture and polished eloquence, took au historical ret- Tospect of the drama, and remarked that although three centuries had almost clapsed since the time of Shakespeare, yet no equal to the Hard of Avon had as | Yot appeared, Mr. Davenport then ascended tho tr pune, and, after thunking the audi the success which had ce and speaking of bis and his fellow artists? he hoped soon to meet continued that he was ¢ bis brother artists were im this theatre ata stated Levick ended the quartet by ready, and that he was also Foady, to play vg salary per'week. Mr. ) #aying that as everthing possible bad already been said he would content himself by thanking the audience once more in the words of Shakespeare, “Beggar that Tam, I um poor in thanks; but yet { thank you.” MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, Mme Nilssou will likely visit America next season. Heilbron, Capoul and Jamet have met with success tn Vienna, M. Louis Dachauer produces Gounod’s Maria” at St. Ano’s church on Sunday evening. Herve’s ‘1.’Ocil Crevé” has been revived at Les Folies Dramatiques, Paris, It nearly rained J. Grau in this city. It is thoaght that Verdi's “Requiem”? will be shortly broaght out at Bristol, Evgland, under Charles Halle’s direction, “Mile. Anna de Belocca, accompanied by Maurice Strakoseh, sailed from Liverpool for New York yester- day in the steamer Germanic, The Eaglo “Ave Hughes as stars, presents the most attractive bill of the season this week, Hans Vou Bilow interprets Schubert and Liszt to- The programme comprises selocted from the works of those representative com. posers, Thirty francs in the proscenium and twenty-five franes for tho first ter buxos treet debaleon are the prices for the Italian opbra, Paris, commencing on April 2, There is every reason to believe that the season wil be a failure. + PRESS CLUB RECEPTION. The journalists of the city who found leisure last night to attend an informal reception of the Press Club, givon at ity rooms in Centro street, were partici- pants in an enjoyable affuir, Although got up ats day's notice, it Way a most gratiying suceess, Mark ‘Twain was introduced in a witty manner by Joe, How- ard, Jr., and afier delivering a characteristic speech, gave Himself op to bis yard of clay. and ™ enjoyment. Protessor Rundoiphe gave an ition of his skill with the bilhard balls and me und brother of the ay did also Messrs, riot, J. J. Byrnes and G. F. Scobie, Raro musi 0 furnished by a quartet from Brooklyn, composed of Messrs, Heary Camp, G. G, Rockwood, W. and Mr, James, Mr, Horatio. King and Low gave pleasure by their piano recials, and readings by | “Oolty Gooft,” Professors Frobisher, Brainerd 0. Swith and James Beubarnais Fisher added to the cous of the evening. MR. FORSYTH'S SHIRTS. ‘The officer on post in front of No. 1,286 Broadway found last sight, lying in the hallway of that building, & bundie evidently made ready by thieves to be car. ried off Me took it to the Twenty-ninth precinct sta. trou, where 1 was found to contain twenty-seven shiris, two pieces of musiia and eighteen uolvishod shirts, The shirts were marked with the tmitidls anda memorandum on one ot the bosums read; — “Model of collar and cuis, Russell Forsyth, Newport, aL” This span is 200 | the boat against the iron work produced an | ‘Theatre, with Mexsra, Macdermott, | Kennell, Reod and Wild and the charming Miss Jenme | the fautewils d'orches- | Ss sins paige ~ FORTRESS MONROE END , BOARD OP MANAGERS AND GENERAL SHER- MAN VISIT THE SOLDIERS’ HOME AND THE COLORED SCHOOL AT HAMPTON—INTERESTING AND AFFECTING INCIDENTS—WAR MEMORIES AND PEACE PROPHECIES. Fortress Moynox, March 28, 1976, The Board of Managers of the National Soldiers? | Home, consisting of Hon. A, C. Taft, Secrevary of War; Chiel Justice Waite, General Butler, General Negley, | Gonerai Cavender, Judge Bond, Governor Smythe, Hon, Mr. Gunckel and Dr. Walcott, arrived here yesterday , morning by the steamer Lady of the Lake from Wash» | ington, on a visit to the Southern branch, near Hamp | ton, 7 were accompanied by General W. 1. Sher man, General Terry, of Virginia; Representatives | Thornburg, Wheeler and Townsend, of the Appropria- | tions Committee; Governor Austin, of Minnesota; | Frank Moulton, of New York, aud others, many of them being accompanicd by their wives and lady | friends They were met at the wharf by General | Wiliam F. Barry and staff and Captain Woodfin, Governor of the Home, und took carriages and | drove into the fort to witness the usual Sunday morning inspection. The five companies of artillery stationed at thls post were paraded for inspection, and | General Barry, General Sherman and the Secretary of | War proceeded to inspect the troops, This was evi+ | dently new business to Secretary Taft, who observed | all that was going on with keen interest as the details were explained by Generals Barry and Sherman, In passing down the line General Sherman asked General | Barry tho name of a certain company. He replied, Jompany A, Third artillery, General Sherman | remarked, “Why, Barry, that’s my ola company. 1! | was first lieutenant im Company A, Third artillery; but it’s a long time ago”? As he passed down the line | he recognized two or three of the old soldicrs who had served with him ip H THR ALMOST FORGOTTEN PAST, | whom he shook warmly by the hand, and to whom be uddressed words of encouragemeut and cheer. Some of the soldiers marched with him “down to the sea,” and he was particularly glad to mect theta and shake them by the hand. Inspection over, the troops, headed by the fine band | of the Artillery School, formed for review, and passed in common and double quick time, General Sherman and the Secretary of War being the reviewing officers. | ‘The party returned to their carriages and drove to | the Soldiers’ Home, about three miles from there, | General Sherman and the Secretary of War taking seats In General Barry's carriage, who remained with | them the entire da} 2 | | whe On arriving at the Home the uswal salute was fred, while the veterans, about 400 strong, headed by the Home band, were drawn up imine to revenwe their guests, Tho party at once passed into t building, and procecded to iuspect the offices, library, reading room, kitcben, dining room, hospital, &c., clos ing with the theatre building ‘They then strolled through the greenhouse, alter which hey repaired to the Governor’s house, where an hour was pleasantly passed in social conversation. General Butier explained to ths Seeretary of War and General | Sherman the working of the Home, the expenses at- tending it and the general modus operandi of ita { Workings. He stated that the total uumber of inmates in the Homes at Dayton, Milwankec, Augusta and Hampton was over 6,500. Of this number over two- thirds were foreigners. About two-thirds of the forcign eloment were Irish, and the other third Ger- man, English and Scotch, with a few Scandinavians and Italians, Great care was taken that the pensions of the inmates should not be foolishly squandered, and the managers exercised a healthful supervision over them at all times. AY THE COLORED. SCHOOL, General 8, C, Armstrong, President of the Hampton Normal School for colored students, and Goueral J. F, B, Marshall, business manager, then called and invited the party to visit the school and hear the students Sing. It was at once accepted, and taking small bouts they were svon am “Virginia Hall,” where some 300 students were agsombled, who at once struck up one of their plantation melodies and gave some five or six of their best selections, with which the audience were highly pleased. General Armstrong then imtroduced | the Secretary of War, who spoke bricily as follows :— My friends, [ cannot resist the invitation to say a word to you ou this very pleasant oceasion. 1 ain very glad of the Opportunity to visit this school und see for myself its prac- teal workings. No ue who igols. wu iuserest in thet tutious of our country can look aryund on scenes like this without Jo: ¢ acquire and obtain & practical ed eutio is rmaneney to liberty with it. There is no ground for liberty but in education. Hei iv the beginning und the end. To and impart the bighe: werand au evidence o fverty, ow and torover. knowledge, to acquire and office of man. This your elevation, (Appia yectful of I SUERMAN TO THE COLORED MAIDENS. General Sherman was next totroduced and stepped forward, in his quick military way, and spoke as tol- lows :— I will not talk to you. boy | am sure it gH many bright as you hke. ¥ Be'w little curetul, I will talk to these girls, I re to meet the faces of so ils, Now you wre free to do ick out your own husbands. ui. T have’ been delizhted in tha | listening to the sweet sounds of your voices to-day. G sto lave yiven you sweeter voices than your white yu are here for the purpose of acquiring an oduca- i bility devolves upon you, for to you H en the education of the wnitlions he sont wi your trust achings yo Sure you will not disappoint the friends. Applause.) THR VIRGINIAN SrimIT. General Terry, of Virginia, a metuber of the Appro priations Committee, was next introduced, aud spoke iu a struightiorward, manly spirit, as tollows:— | ‘This is the flest opportunity Ihave ever school, Lam glad that Lan hore to-day to | yive this instituiton ie Just due. Reference has been made | by Gi ‘Armstrong to the liberal coutribution of Vie- Virgivia is always f her Limited ability, port of this schuol Foady tw du lier share, to the exton to ussist in educating the colored peovlo within her borders, ‘The wuite poople of Virginia are your friends. You ary ail free now. Ldid wot help tv make you free, but you muy rest assured that 1, for one, will protect you in your liverty. (Applause,) ADDRESS OF THE POUNDER. General Butler was uext introduced, and spoke as fob low: ‘The memories of the past are thickly thronging upon, m | mind and will not allow me to address you as T would. | came here in 1861, when most of you were chilaren almot | in wens, I represented the government of the United Stat cy of the Inws, and 1 nade it iy duty it the edi ot children such us yor my thoughts when I reds uf stadeats a» t aidier Bexar under your race, To you blood’is this work given in charge. You are to form the jnds of the young people of your race and teach thom the ativs they owe to God, their neighbors and themselves, Ge | forth, then, with ail the knowledge you dimpart ib? your race, Hor in that lies their true advancement, THK “FRONT skaTs.'? | Mr. Townsend, member of Congress from New York, | followed in astort address to the students, He stat | that the white race had the front seats, and would strive to maintain them, The only way they could secure a front seat was by education aud merit. Their ir vin Was ussured beyoud doubt, but their position would have to be acquired, Lt was i their own hunds, aud he looked to those now bi bim wore thau auy others to establish it, The students closed their exer- | eiwes by xinging “Give Way, Jordan,” when the party | roturned to Governor Weodtn’s house, where dinoet was awaiting them. Vinner being over, they repaired to the theatre | batiding and took seats on the stage, whea speceher | were aga inorder, The hall was densely crowded by tbe veterans, all anxious to get a glimpse of the Secro tury of War, General Sherman und Ben Butler, Gea erul Suerman inade short speech, im which he con grutulated them su pleasant a home. were better cared lor than the soldiers of any np: & 1 Butler followed in a few words ol advice, | counselling them to good conduct and obedience, THY BLUR AND THE GRAY, . General Martindale mado a brief but eloqaent speech, closing by expressing the hope that “the aay was nUt tur distant when the government of tue United States would provide « home tor the disabled soldiers, nv matter whether they wore the blae or the gray,’ Which was grected with liearty applause by the wud At haif-past five the party again | rages and returned tu the fort, wh man und the Secretary of War received the customary | watate, after which they repaired to the steamer | the present Governor. |THE NEWARK BOILER EXPLOSION, | Jacob R. Kaulpe died yesterday in Newark, making @second victim to the terrible botler explosion at | Sauerbier’s factory on Tuesday, Kaulpe leaves a wife and three ebildres, George Dumer is by oo means out of danger, Yesterday afternoon an inquest was held un the body of the tirst vietim, Joseph Zodel, Louw Desch, the engineer, Whose evidence was taken at his home, be berg badly burt, testified that there was plenty of water in the Dotler and eighty pounds of steam when it exploded. THN VERDICT, The Coro jury 1 the case of the Sauerbier boiler explosion, resulting in killing of throe mom, rendered « verdict last evening chargmg the proprie. vor, Henry Sauerbier, with culpable negligence ia using & worn out and ubsate boiler. A brother of Schnotder, the foreman, bas died, Am inquest is to be held,