APPENDIX No. 6. WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM AT FORT MONROE, VA. REPORT OF MAJ. CHARLES E. L. B. DAVIS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OFFICER IN CHARGE, FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1893. IMPROVEMENTS. a Water supply at Fort Monroe, Va. | b Sewerage system at Fort Monroe, Va. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith my annual report for the year ending June 30, 1893, on fortifications in my charge. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. CHAS. E. L. B. DAVIS, 6 A. WATER SUPPLY. The question of an improved water supply at Fort Monroe has long been agitated. At present the only potable water to be obtained upon the reservation is rain water stored in cisterns. This is a somewhat unsatisfactory source, as it is liable to fail during a very dry season, and, owing to the lack of a proper system of sewerage, there is also the danger of contamination of the water so stored. The importance of an abundant supply of pure water for the use of the garrison, the large force of United States employés, and citizens who visit the post can not be overestimated. From a military point of view it is hardly necessary to say that it is of vital importance that an adequate supply of good water, not liable to be cut off during the time of war, should be had within the limits of the fortification. Such a supply, it has been thought, might be obtained by sinking an artesian well inside the fort. PRESENT ARRANGEMENT. The supply of rain water is at present supplemented by water obtained from driven wells on the west side of Mill Creek and carried to the reservation in iron pipes. This water is of inferior quality and is not regarded as fit for drinking purposes. A personal examination was made of this water supply in February, 1893. A steam Dean pump pumps water from driven wells, there being 48 2-inch points sunk to obtain water at a depth of from 10 to 12 feet below the surface and connected with a main pipe 8 inches in diameter. During the long continued drought of 1892-a drought of unusual duration-there were pumped 25,000 gallons per day, which, estimating the military population at 863, was 30 gallons per capita. According to standard authorities, Louisville consumes 24 gallons per capita, Boston 60, Chicago 84, and Washington 138. By economizing, therefore, the supply suf ficed, though by putting in a duplicate and larger pump and increasing the number of well points, an ample supply can always be obtained. It is understood that the Quartermaster's Department intends increasing the plant as above indicated. The water, when first drawn from the pump on the day of my inspection, was somewhat turbid, the turpidity being due to a large quantity of minute bubbles of air or gas which quickly rose to the surface, leaving the water quite clear. The water had no unpleasant taste and was apparently potable, but the surroundings are not above suspicion, as there is cultivated land in the vicinity and the seepage from fertilizers and manures must tend to impregnate the water. The water is said to be hard and at times much discolored, but can be used for bath and laundry purposes, but not for drinking or cooking, for which only the rain or cistern water is used. Congress, by the act of February 24, 1891, made an appropriation of $6,000 for the purpose of sinking an artesian well. As this amount is not sufficient to cover the cost of sinking a well beyond a depth already demonstrated to be insufficient, no work has been done, but the subject has been studied during the fiscal year and information bearing upon it obtained. The following is a summary of the attempts made in former years to sink an artesian well. PREVIOUS OPERATIONS. The first effort to obtain water by an artesian well at Fort Monroe was made in 1846, when the original well was commenced. There were 225 feet of 8-inch pipe sunk, and inside of this 283 feet of 5-inch pipe. No record of the exact depth reached has been found. This well was abandoned in 1851. In 1864-'65 Gen. B. F. Butler put down 340 feet of 12-inch pipe. In 1867 Col. Henry Brewerton commenced sinking an 8-inch pipe within the 12-inch pipe of the well of 1864-'65, and a part of the 5-inch and 8-inch pipe of the well of 1845 was withdrawn and used in this work. On June 30, 1868, a depth of 370 feet had been reached. The sinking of the 8-inch pipe was continued until a depth of 517 feet below the surface of the parade of the fort was reached, when the lowest section of the pipe separated from the rest. It was found that a pipe 5 inches in exterior diameter could pass through the disjointed pipe, and it was decided to insert within the 8-inch cast-iron pipes wrought-iron tubes of 4 inches interior diameter, with screw ends, and 585 feet of this tubing was successfully inserted. At a depth of 585 feet the bottom of the clay stratum, through which the auger had been passing, was reached, and a stratum composed of about 90 per cent of sand and 10 per cent of clay was reached. After passing into the sand a water-bearing stratum was reached, which yielded a limited amount of saline water, which, when left undisturbed for twenty-four hours, rose in the tubing to a height of 4 feet 6 inches above the level of the parade of the fort. On June 30, 1870, the well had been sunk 900 feet, and the 44-inch tubing sunk 886 feet below the parade. Work was suspended in August, 1870, at which date the 44-inch tubing had been forced down to a depth of 898 feet below the parade, while the auger had penetrated to a depth of 906.5 feet below the same level. In November, 1871, operations were resumed, and a drill was substi tuted for the auger previously used. The 43-inch tubing, which had been left projecting about 15 feet above the ground, was found to be full of water. The tube was tapped near the ground, and, on being plugged, the pipe was found to fill gradually. On pumping out the water to secure a dry tube for drilling, a sudden inrush of clay, coarse gravel, and shell filled the tube for about 120 feet from the bottom. After removing this with the sand pump and attempting to drill, it was found that the lower section of the tubing was entirely detached. A passage for the drill was then cut through this section, but another influx of material moved the section, and but little progress could be made. The removal of the 43-inch tubing was then commenced, and, on June 30, 1872, 664 feet had been taken out. Operations were soon after suspended for want of funds, and have not since been resumed. INFORMATION COLLECTED DURING FISCAL YEAR. Books relating to the subject of artesian wells were consulted and correspondence solicited from a number of persons. There are a number of artesian wells at Milwaukee, Wis., sunk by the large brewing establishments, though the water is not used in the manufacture of beer, as it is too hard and not suited for the purpose, and I believe it is not used in the steam boilers, but is used for washing barrels and bottles and in case of fire. The contractors, familiar with the work, have generally contracted to furnish a flowing well of a definite capacity, as 200 or 250 gallons per minute at a cost of $2.20 per running foot in one case, and in another 600,000 gallons per day at $4 per foot. The latter well, sunk on the site of the Loan and Trust Building, is 1,730 feet deep and extends into the Potsdam formation. The water was piped across the street into one of the principal hotels and was used in the rooms; the water was very hard and experience showed it incrusted the hot-water pipes so that its use had to be discontinued except for the cold-water supply. The contractors, learning of the inquiries set on foot and desirous of making an offer for the proposed work at Fort Monroe, wrote for information as to the character of the formation, depth, etc.; information which could not be furnished, as it is unknown. West Point, on the York River, about 45 miles from Fort Monroe in a direct line, was reported to have many artesian wells giving water satisfactory in quality and quantity, and correspondence confirmed the fact and elicited the reply that "The quality of the water is soft and is admirable for cooking, laundry work, and drinking, and is used with great success for steam in stationary boilers." The wells are from 150 to 165 feet in depth and cost on an average about $40 each. They are simply driven wells and hardly come under the designation of artesian. The analysis shows sodium carbonates and sulphates in sufficient quantities to render the water hard, though it is claimed not to be so. Near the quartermaster's pumping plant on Mill Creek, there is a tract of some 40 acres of land purchased by the Hampton Water Supply Company, about four or five years ago, to furnish water to Hampton, the Soldiers' Home, etc. Driven wells were first sunk similar to those of the Quartermaster's Department, but by pumping night and day, under the impression that the supply was inexhaustible, the water became brackish and unfit for use. There is a stratum of gravel about 18 feet below the surface, 18 inches to 2 feet thick, lying on top of marl, and it may be the salt water of Mill Creek was drawn through this stratum. A contract was next made with Baltimore parties to bore an artesian well which, as near as can be learned, was sunk to a depth of about 1,000 feet and the well abandoned, no water apparently having been obtained. The exploiters of the project are very reticent and no information can be obtained from them. The abandoned well, with derrick, boiler, engine, and portions of the plant are still standing. Inquiry about the artesian wells at the Norfolk navy-yard resulted in finding out that these wells are not artesian, but simply driven wells; the water is very hard. The most interesting information collected was that relating to the artesian well at Lamberts Point. This was obtained for me through the kindness of Lieut. Edward Burr, Corps of Engineers, stationed at Norfolk, Va. Copies of the letter of Mr. N. M. Osborne, the general agent of the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company, addressed to Lieut. Burr, and of the analysis of the water are given below. NORFOLK AND WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY, DEAR SIR: In reply to yours of the 5th instant, I beg to say that the "artesian" well constructed by this company in 1890-'91 at Lamberts Point, was sunk by Mr. A. L. Miller, of Pulaski, Va. This well is situated about 250 feet from the shore end of the company's coal pier No. 1, or N. 87° E., approximately 3,000 feet from Lamberts Point Light. The well is in all 610 feet deep, through earth for its entire depth. There were used two lines of "Extra Heavy" wrought-iron tubing connected with inserted screw joints, flush inside and out. The first size used was 8 inches inside diameter for a depth of 402 feet, but on account of the failure of the casing at a joint by telescoping, it was deemed unadvisable to push it further, and accordingly a line of 7-inch was put down through the 8-inch and this size was continued to a depth of 598 feet. When the casing reached this depth, the drilling tool worked ahead of it, encountered the water-bearing stratum, and it was not thought necessary to push it any further. When the flow of water first started, quite a large quantity of sand came with it, and in the course of a few days the sand had risen 20 feet approximately above the bottom of the casing and the flow of water was almost entirely cut off. About ten days were consumed in clearing the sand out of the well so that the original flow of water could get out. The day's work would sometimes amount to about a cubic yard and would free the casing of sand, but on going to work the following morning the sand would be found as high as ever in the pipe. At the end of ten days, however, the sand ceased to rise in the pipe, since which time the normal flow has been about 70 gallons per minute, except that at periods of from twelve to twenty-four hours the flow increased very greatly and sometimes quantities of sand would come up with the water. At other times the water would be quite muddy, with a disagreeable odor similar to that from excavations in swampy land, due no doubt to decayed vegetable matter. There seemed to be no solid matter in the water whatever. The water is quite clear, having a slightly sweetish taste, and has a temperature of 69° F. at the surface, which is approximately 11 feet above mean low water. We ascertained that the water would rise to a height of 18 feet above the surface of the ground; at this height the flow ceased entirely, but when the casing was again cut off the well resumed its normal flow. The total cost of the well, exclusive of the basin, was $5,469 08. I inclose you a copy of our contract with Mr. Miller. After we had found out by analysis, and, indeed by practical trial, that the water was not fit for the use of our engines, we thought of sinking another well at a dif |