Hardcover
1903-1904 · New York
by J. L. Davis
New York, 1903-1904. Hardcover. Brown marbled boards. Good. 40 pages. 21 x 17 cm. This handwritten account follows J.L. Davis and the men that worked with him as they mapped out the route for the extension of the New York Water system. In 1903, the Commission on Additional Water Supply for New York City, also known as the Burr-Hering-Freeman Commission, was appointed to address the growing water needs of the expanding city. This commission played a crucial role in shaping the future of the New York City's water supply system. The primary task was to survey potential water sources and recommend solutions for New York City's increasing water demand. The team conducted extensive surveys of the Catskill territory, focusing on the Esopus watershed in Ulster County.
These notes start on February 16, 1903. Davis notes: "Entered employ of Commission on Additional Water Supply, City of New York, Office 2023 Park Row Bldg. Position, Transitman. Mr. F. E. Winsor Engr. in charge of Surveys. With field party established temporary quarters in Tuckahoe." Davis goes on to list the personnel and then begins his survey of the New Croton Aqueduct in Dunwoodie. For the next year, Davis commits to paper his travels through the New York area as he and his team make their survey for the new aqueduct. Includes three full pages of graphs and calculations. Davis is diligent in his recordings, with notes everyday, even Sundays. It seems the team started in earnest in May and worked six days a week through September.
A sampling of entries:
May 16 - On Stonewall Mountain for triangulation with Olmsted. No results, hazy. Sent Frost to Freedom to put flags in order. Avery and Groves checking bench levels. Forced an error of one foot (too high) in former elevation of station A. Remained for the night at Don Brown's on mountain. Olmsted returned with team.
July 17 - In morning ran up brooks toward Tyrell Lake to elevation about 400 ending on east brook at lower end large swamp. Afternoon ran up Sprout road south of them south of Division Farm. Finished Billings work. Mr. Winsor present until about 4 o'clock. Evening made out hills and packed for morning.
Sept. 25 - Began additional topography on Billing Reservoir. Jackson Creek investigation at Sta. AV Elev. 384.1. Ran traverse pipe line and part of topography at dam site. Groves, Avery, Fener, Knapp, Brownills team one trip.
Harris' last entry is on Nov. 30. He is back at work in the office and will work until March 1904 "There by transfer went to Aqueduct Commission and was assigned by Chief Engineer, J. Waldo Smith, to experimental work on concrete at Jerome Park Resevoir, assistant to Mr. Hauck under W. B. Fuller. Front cover detached, back cover just holding. (Inventory #: 4522)
These notes start on February 16, 1903. Davis notes: "Entered employ of Commission on Additional Water Supply, City of New York, Office 2023 Park Row Bldg. Position, Transitman. Mr. F. E. Winsor Engr. in charge of Surveys. With field party established temporary quarters in Tuckahoe." Davis goes on to list the personnel and then begins his survey of the New Croton Aqueduct in Dunwoodie. For the next year, Davis commits to paper his travels through the New York area as he and his team make their survey for the new aqueduct. Includes three full pages of graphs and calculations. Davis is diligent in his recordings, with notes everyday, even Sundays. It seems the team started in earnest in May and worked six days a week through September.
A sampling of entries:
May 16 - On Stonewall Mountain for triangulation with Olmsted. No results, hazy. Sent Frost to Freedom to put flags in order. Avery and Groves checking bench levels. Forced an error of one foot (too high) in former elevation of station A. Remained for the night at Don Brown's on mountain. Olmsted returned with team.
July 17 - In morning ran up brooks toward Tyrell Lake to elevation about 400 ending on east brook at lower end large swamp. Afternoon ran up Sprout road south of them south of Division Farm. Finished Billings work. Mr. Winsor present until about 4 o'clock. Evening made out hills and packed for morning.
Sept. 25 - Began additional topography on Billing Reservoir. Jackson Creek investigation at Sta. AV Elev. 384.1. Ran traverse pipe line and part of topography at dam site. Groves, Avery, Fener, Knapp, Brownills team one trip.
Harris' last entry is on Nov. 30. He is back at work in the office and will work until March 1904 "There by transfer went to Aqueduct Commission and was assigned by Chief Engineer, J. Waldo Smith, to experimental work on concrete at Jerome Park Resevoir, assistant to Mr. Hauck under W. B. Fuller. Front cover detached, back cover just holding. (Inventory #: 4522)
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