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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt: ...making them unnecessarily complex. American water-works: A history of them desirable--Introduction of pumps into wells in New-York city--Extracts from the minutes of the Common Council previous to the war of Independence--Public water-works proposed and commenced in 1774--Treasury notes issued to meet the expense--Copy of one--Manhattan Company--Water-works at Fair Hlount, Philadelphia. Before noticing another and a different class of machines, we propose to occupy this and the two next chapters with observations on the employment of pumps in water-works, and as engines to extinguish fires--both in this country and in Europe. The hydraulic machinery for supplying modern cities with water generally consists of a series of forcing pumps very similar to the machine of Ctesibius, (No. 120;) and when employed to raise water from rapid streams, or where from tides or dams a sufficient current can be obtained, are worked like it by under or by overshot wheels. An account of old European water-works is an important desideratum, for it would throw light on the history of pumps in the middle ages, during which little or nothing respecting them is known. The older cities of Germany were the first in modern days that adopted them to raise water for public purposes; but of their construction, materials, and application under various circum stances, we have no information in detail. Rivius, in his Commentary on 894 Pump Engines in Germany. Book III. the machine of Ctesibius, speaks of pumps worked by water wheels as then common, (A. D. 154S.) The hydraulic engines at Avgsbitrgh were at one time greatly celebrated. They are mentioned, but not described, by Misson and other travelers of the 17th century. They raised the water 130 feet. Blainville, in 1705, spe...

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9781130283532

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