Breaking Ground - 1856

The following was published in the "Brooklyn Daily Eagle" on August 1, 1856. The entire, very detailed article can be viewed here:

The Introduction of Water

The Ceremony of Breaking Ground.

Speeches of Mayor Hall, Rev. Drs. Bethune, Kennaday, Storrs, and Johnson, and Hon. Nathan B. Morse, &c., &c.

The work of introducing water to the city, was formally commenced yesteday and under the auspices of the gentlemen appointed as Directors of the Nassau Water Company. Our readers are familiar with the history of the water question and the recent arrangements between the city and the Nassau Company. The Nassau Water Company in chartered by State Legislature with a capital stock of $3,000,000, with the privilege of increasing it to $6,000,000 - the city being authorized to subscribe $1,300,000. The company have contracted with H. S. Well, & Co., to prepare the reservoirs and aqueducts, build engine-houses, lay down 120 miles of pipe through the city, set 800 hydrants, &c., in consideration of the payment of $4,200,000. The contract guarantees the delivery, for consumption, of 10,000,000 gallons of water per day within two years, and 10,000,000 additional one year after. The capacity of the works now to be commenced is equal to 40,000,000 gallons, with the exception of the steam power. which is designed for the delivery of just one half that amount, which is probably as much as will be required for the next twenty years. The plan is to contract works on a scale amply sufficient for the present time, yet capable of being enlarged to any desired extent, as the demands of the city shall increase. The supplies of water available for this purpose are abundant. The present sources of supply are four ponds, all located within a distance of nine miles from Brooklyn, supplied by springs, and capable of furnishing 250,000,000 gallons daily. It is only necessary to extend the canal, or means of conducting the water, to procure additional quantities. The quantity necessary for the supply of New York is only 17,000,000 per day.

The principal reservoir, of a capacity equal to 150 000,000 gallons, will be about six miles from Brooklyn, near the Cypress Hills Cemetery, where there is already a natural basin, covering forty-eight acres of ground, elevated one hundred and fifty feet above the level of the sea. From this point to Baisley's Pond, six miles further from the city, the water will be conveyed in a covered aqueduct: and beyond the pond, by means of an open canal. From the reservoir to the city, iron pipes will be used. A second reservoir to contain 20,000,000 gallons, will be located on a hill one hundred nod seventy-five feet above tide ...


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