Wednesday, April 8, 2020 That mysterious water tunnel site

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Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Floral Wonders of Spring on the Island

How do we Get Our Water

Part 1

The Long-Gone Chapel of the Sacred Heart

20th in our FROM THE ARCHIVES  series

HOW DO WE GET OUR WATER
Part 1

Bobbie Slonevsksy

How Did We and How Do We Get Our Water? Part I There have been settlers on Manhattan Island since as far back as 1624. How did they get water? Early on it was a strictly private affair: households dug shallow, individually owned wells. Then, in 1677, the entire concept of water supply changed—that year saw the beginnings of a public approach. First it was a common well dug in front of the old fort at Bowling Green. By 1776, the population of 22,000 far exceeded the well’s capacity. So a reservoir was built between White and Pearl Streets on the east side of Broadway. Water was pumped into it from wells dug near the Collect Pond (in what is now Chinatown) and from the pond itself, and distributed to a portion of the community through hollow logs laid in the main streets. Still another reservoir was constructed in 1800 at Chambers Street. It was supplied by wells at Reade and Center Streets and again delivered water through wooden mains. It took till 1830 for cast iron to appear on the scene. A well-supplied holding tank for fire protection was built by the city at Broadway and 13th Street. Its distribution system consisted of 12-inch cast iron pipes. The city, of course, was a juggernaut, its population exploding beyond any anticipated limits. The supply of well water became polluted and insufficient. Although it was supplemented by cisterns and water drawn from springs in upper Manhattan, it was clear that an innovative solution was required. Enter the notion of impounding water from areas outside New York City. Tune in tomorrow for Part II.

CHAPEL OF THE SACRED HEART

The sole remaining Roman Catholic Church on Welfare Island is the Church of the Sacred Heart, formerly know as St. Mary’s.  This 8,000 square foot  granite structure was built in 1912 by the Archdiocese of New York on land loaned to it by the city.  It served as the Catholic Church for the old Metropolitan Hospital  until the hospital closed  about 1954 Today is serves as the mainly as the residence for the senior Catholic chaplain at Coler Hospital and three other priests who serve as chaplains at the new Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan.   One public mass is held in the  church each week, attended by a few nurses from Central Nurses Residence, policeman who work on the island, and boys from nearby Riverview Juvenile Center.  The building located on the western side of Metropolitan Hospital is generally in good condition.

Welfare Island Yesterday and Today 1968 (c)

VIEW OF THE EAST SIDE OF THE ISLAND WITH METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL AND CHAPEL OF THE SACRED HEART FACING THE RIVER.
RIHS (C)

BROWN BROTHERS (C)

RECTORY WITH PORCH OF THE CHAPEL OF THE SACRED HEART

EDITORIAL

Going To Foodtown where there was a great selection of fruits and veggies today.  The meat section was rather empty today.   Steve said only half the egg shipment arrived today and the wholesale price was up again.(Bad year to blame Easter and Passover).

The clerk in the post office was friendly and helpful along with the “passport” clerk.  No where to go to need a passport.

Back in the apartment, lunch and my daily nap.

Just remembered that Pat our wonderful RIHS bookkeeper finished our report on how we spend  RIOC PPF funds  and took it to PSD.

Back home and time to finish this 20th edition.

(My neighbor just brought me chicken soup………….tomorrow I will have it with matzo balls!)

Thank you,
Judith Berdy
jbird134@aol.com
212-688-4836
917-744-3721

Text by Judith Berdy
Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac and the RIHS
Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website
Edited by Melanie Colter and Dottie Jeffries

ALL IMAGES ARE CREDITED TO THEIR AUTHORS, DONORS OR THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES.  WE DO OUR BEST TO PROPERLY ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SOURCES.