The Water Works

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THE WATER WORKS.—

A large number of our citizens availed themselves of the facilities afforded by the Broadway Railroad, yesterday, to pay a visit to that much talked of spot, the Brooklyn Water Works, at Ridgewood. The cars were absolutely crowded down, either one way or the other, during the whole day, and the facilities of the line were not sufficient to accommodate one half the travel. The general sentiment, we are sorry to say, among those viewing the works, was one of dissatisfaction. The reservoir—that much abused reservoir—came in for a fair share of criticism, and in not a few cases, hearty denunciation. "Gentlemen," said a short, stout, energetic looking man, one of a party of a dozen—"Gentlemen, this is a great work of art—a great work of art. But to be properly appreciated it requires to be viewed from a distance—Halsey's Building, for instance." And the speaker, going to the edge of the sand and gravel walk which rises one or two feet above the rough stone walling of the reservoir, with a slight effort of his foot displaced one or two shovels full of dirt and sent it rolling down the side. One compartment of the reservoir is pretty full, the other is as yet either unfinished or being repaired, there being two places where the stone wall was not built up. In one corner of the empty reservoir a half-dozen vagabond boys were engaged in an energetic game of pitch-and-toss. The pump-house is as yet unfinished. There seemed to be an intense desire among those who visited this building to have a look at the pumping engine, but they were mostly disappointed. The centre of the building where the large pumping engine is situated, is not roofed over, but the engine and the wells are completely covered in by a large wooden shed sort of arrangement, the doors of which were secured. A party of young men were unremitting in their efforts to obtain a view of the machinery, peering through every crevice and knot-hole for that purpose. Finally one of them discovered a door fastened only with a piece of clothes line. To produce a knife and effect an entrance was the work of an instant. The engine is a most tremendous piece of machinery, and the beholder is struck with wonder at its magnitude and complexity. It was not in operation; but one of the donkey engines,¹ which bears no comparison with the regular pumping engine, was then feeding the reservoir. The donkey engines are driven by two steam boilers placed in a small shed outside the pumphouse. The boilers to drive the big pumps are three in number, of large size, and are situated in one of the wings of the building. On the return, about half-past five o'clock, the rush for the cars at East New York was terrific. Some of the more knowing ones walked down Division avenue some little distance, for the purpose of getting into an up bound car, which at the time was sure to be almost empty; but the others soon discovered the dodge, and the appearance of a car was the signal for a general stampede in that direction, men, women and boys, all together,—the latter generally succeeding in getting the best seats.—All who feel an interest in these works, and it is supposed every tax-payer does, or should, will do well to make a visit and see for themselves the works in which the city of Brooklyn has so large a stake.

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