THE GASWORKS FLOODED.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13162, 8 July 1908, Page 7

THE GASWORKS FLOODED.

FIRE BOARD'S ENGINES SAVE THE SITUATION. The most serious effect of yesterday's flood was felt at the gasworks, where, owing to the encroachment of the water from drains, the manufacture of gas had to be temporarily suspended. Owing to the exceptional amount of flood water to be carried away, the drains in - the locality • could not properly carry out their accustomed function, with the result that the water came back on the works, caused the stoppage of the exhaust engines, and actually threatened the fires. Tlie steam pipes from tho boiler were first submerged, and as tho steam, in tho pipes was condensed the exhausters could not he worked. When the exhaust engines failed, the gas had simply to be turned out of the retorts and absolutely wasted. The retort house presented an unusual spectacle. Thick, heavy smoke was. rising from the fires, and the air was heavily charged with crude gas. The pressure of the water against the retaining wall protecting . the . retorters' tunnel burst the wall, and the tunnel was flooded-, threatening the fires. The position was so serious during tho afternoon that arrangements were made with the Fire Board for the use of two pumping engines to clear the . water away from the retort tunnel and the steam pipes. The engines were taken down by Superintendent Smith, and after some hours of continuous pumping a clearance was effected, thus enabling the exhaust plant to be again brought into play. The rain fortunately cleared off, and the flood water was pumped out from tho retort tunnel and the exhaust engine house. Tho steam boiler was started again about 4 p.m., ana everything was going practically as -usual an hour later. Arrangements had been made to start the exhausters with steam from portable engines, but the necessity of utilising their services was obviated by the success of the pumping operations. Tho Railway engine was brought into tlie city, and tho St. Albans chemical was taken to the Chester Street station, in order that tho city might not bo left nn protected while tbe engines wcTe at tlie gasworks. The Railway engine was sent home again at 10 o'clock last night, and one steamer was brought in from tho gasworks, while the other remained until a little after midnight. Thus the city was guarded in case of an outbreak of fire, and at the same time the water was kept down at the works, and the employees were enabled to get on with their labours. It was "touch and go" at the works, and if the engines had not got there when they did, the fires would have been extinguished, and the supply of gas cut off for somo days.