Historical Pipeline and Waterworks

Images depicting early 20th-century waterworks, including pipes and tunnels, alongside electrolysis-related issues in urban infrastructure.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe in trench for Cambridge subway at crossing of Cambridge Water Works 20-inch pipe line, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., Mar. 10, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, pits in 48-inch cast-iron pipe 361-C made by electrolysis; pits chalked; age 4 years, exposed to electrolysis 3 years, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 5, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, laying new water main over subway, Central Square, Cambridge, Mass., May 14, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Boston Water Works, Bennington Street, electrolysis of 12-inch cast-iron pipe; age 4 years, exposed to electrolysis 4 years (East Boston Power Station), East Boston, Mass., Aug. 29, 1901 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Chelsea North Bridge Tunnel, part of the shields, hydraulic jacks and blocks, Mystic River; Charlestown; Chelsea, Mass., Dec. 11, 1900 , waterworks, water tunnels, construction sites

Electrolysis, Chelsea Water Works, Broadway near Third Street, electrolysis of 10-inch cast-iron pipe; burst January 18, 1901; age 15 years, exposed to electrolysis 8 years, Chelsea, Mass., Jan. 25, 1901 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe in trench for Cambridge subway at crossing of Cambridge Water Works 20-inch pipe line, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., Mar. 10, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, effect of electrolysis on rails, which were connected with and buried near 48-inch water pipe No. 64 from July 1903 to November 1910, Boylston Street, Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, pits in 48-inch pipe 361-C made by electrolysis; pits chalked, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 5, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, pits in 48-inch pipe 364-C made by electrolysis, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 5, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 5, Mystic River, 36-inch taper spigot pipe pitted by electrolysis, Somerville, Mass., Mar. 28, 1905 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 37, closure in 30-inch pipe line, Shawmut Street near Marginal Street, Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 18, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Chelsea Water Works, Broadway near Third Street, electrolysis of 10-inch cast-iron pipe; burst January 18, 1901; age 15 years, exposed to electrolysis 8 years, Chelsea, Mass., Jan. 25, 1901 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Wachusett Dam, ledge in the excavation, from the east side, Clinton, Mass., Apr. 12, 1901 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 30-inch siphon removed at Chelsea North Bridge; interior of pipe, Mystic River; Charlestown; Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 6, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Chelsea Water Works, Broadway near Beacon Street, electrolysis of 20-inch pipe found leaking, Chelsea, Mass., Mar. 20, 1901 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 37, Chelsea Creek Tunnel, installing lower air lock, Chelsea shore, Chelsea, Mass., Sep. 15, 1910 , waterworks, water tunnels, construction sites, air locks airtight spaces

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, corner of Brooks and Faneuil Streets, 20-inch pipe trench, Brighton, Mass., Aug. 12, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 27, Washington Street near Sagamore Street, electrolytic pittings in south end of 12-inch pipe No. 55, Lynn, Mass., Nov. 23, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, division wall No. 1, from the north, Stoneham, Mass., Jun. 20, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, pits in 48-inch pipe 361-C made by electrolysis; pits chalked, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 5, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, 48-inch pipe No. 780, insulation removed, Cambridge, Mass., Apr. 8, 1904 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 8, refilling trench at 60-inch Venturi Meter, Cleveland Circle, Brighton, Mass., Jun. 24, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Progress Photo, Hot Water Heating System, Chauncey Avenue crossing Third Street, Looking Northeast. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Electrolysis, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 27, Broad Street, corner Union Street, electrolytic pittings in 16-inch pipe No. 541, Class E, Lynn, Mass., Nov. 13, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Dry Dock Number 4, Monthly Progress Photo, Looking Down in Pump Well, Holbrook Cabot and Rollins Corporation, Contractor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, supply pipe line, connection with Low Service Pipe Line, Brighton, Mass., Jul. 27, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, mortar lining in 80-inch steel pipe near Grant Avenue, Newton, Mass., Sep. 13, 1911 , waterworks, water tunnels, construction sites

Electrolysis, 48-inch pipe No. 363 pitted by electrolysis, Boylston Street; laid September 1896, removed November 1910, Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 8, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Monthly Progress Photo, Building 41(58), Fire Pump Suction Connection, Looking Southeast in Suction Well, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Arlington Pumping Station, extension to coal pocket, concrete pier under side track, Arlington, Mass., Jun. 3, 1918 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, electrolytic pittings in 48-inch cast-iron pipe No. 799; age 7 years, exposed to electrolysis 6 years, Cambridge, Mass., Jun. 29, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Monthly Progress Photo, Building 41(58), Excavation for Fire Pump Suction, Looking Northwest, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Chestnut Hill Low Service Pumping Station, two 48-inch Venturi Meters, Brighton, Mass., Aug. 3, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, flowmeters

Electrolysis, electrolysis of 42-inch pipes Nos. 72 and 100, Broadway, near Williams Street, Chelsea, Mass., Dec. 7, 1907 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, electrolytic pittings in 48-inch cast-iron pipe No. 799; age 7 years, exposed to electrolysis 6 years, Cambridge, Mass., Jun. 29, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, relocation of 48-inch main over subway in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 4, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Dry Dock No. 4, Flow of Water from Outlet of East Drain, Holbrook, Cabot and Rollins Corporation, Contractor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, 36-inch main line and connection valves on 60-inch pipe line in Commonwealth Avenue at Charles River, Newton, Mass., Oct. 21, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 46, Winnisimmet Square, Chelsea, Mass., Sep. 13, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Broadway at Beacon Street (old Boston Water Works 24-inch main); pitted by electrolysis, Chelsea, Mass., Aug. 21, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 27, Broad Street, corner Union Street, electrolytic pittings in 16-inch pipe No. 421, Lynn, Mass., Nov. 13, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, flexible joint in old 20-inch submerged pipe, Chelsea Creek; Chelsea; East Boston, Mass., Sep. 10, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe, laying pipe under car tracks at Beacon Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton, Mass., Jun. 18, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

AGB-4 Glacier , Ships, Naval Vessels, Boats, Naval History, Navy

Electrolysis, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 27, Washington Street at Sagamore Street, electrolytic pittings in 12-inch pipe No. 1, Lynn, Mass., Nov. 19, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Wachusett Dam, 48-inch valves in lower gate chamber, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 11, 1902 , waterworks, dams, construction sites, valves hardware

Electrolysis, 48-inch pipe No. 261 pitted by electrolysis, Boylston Street; laid September 1896, removed November 1910, Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, electrolytic pittings in 48-inch cast-iron pipe No. 799; age 7 years, exposed to electrolysis 6 years, Cambridge, Mass., Jun. 29, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe, laying pipe under car tracks at Beacon Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton, Mass., Jun. 18, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Progress Photo, Hot Water Heating System, Looking Northeast, Manhole, Chauncey Avenue and Fourth Street. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Electrolysis, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 27, Washington Street at Sagamore Street, electrolytic pittings in 12-inch pipe No. 1, Lynn, Mass., Nov. 19, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Chestnut Hill Reservoir, growth in Boston Water Works 48-inch pipe near Effluent Gatehouse, Brighton, Mass., Jul. 23, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, sponge material

Electrolysis, 48-inch pipe No. 425 pitted by electrolysis, Boylston Street; laid September 1896, removed November 1910, Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 8, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, pits in 48-inch pipe 361-C made by electrolysis; pits chalked, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 5, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Dry Dock Number 4, Monthly Progress Photo, Pump Well Motor Floor, Looking North, Alberger Pump Company, Contractor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 6, interior of cofferdam, east end, from the west, Malden, Mass., Jan. 13, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, tunnel east from station 12+75, Newton, Mass., May 23, 1911 , waterworks, water tunnels, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 1, three lines 60-inch pipe in cofferdam, Newton, Mass., Jul. 8, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Spot Pond Pumping Station, setting boilers, from the west, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 22, 1899 , waterworks, pumping stations, boiler rooms

Electrolysis, 48-inch pipe No. 660 pitted by electrolysis, Boylston Street; laid September 1896, removed November 1910, Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 8, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 1, three lines 60-inch pipe in cofferdam, Newton, Mass., Jul. 8, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, old 20-inch pipe, Chelsea Creek; Chelsea; East Boston, Mass., Aug. 18, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Forbes Hill Reservoir, excavation for gate chamber, Quincy, Mass., Sep. 14, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Edgeworth Pipe Yard, 48-inch Howard-Harrison Iron Company pipe (B-233, 8150 lbs.), Malden, Mass., Apr. 6, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Progress Photo, Hot Water Heating System, Looking Southwest Along Conduit Under Building 132. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Electrolysis, Chelsea Water Works, Broadway at Everett Avenue, 6-inch main showing effects of electrolysis; burst September 13, 1906, Chelsea, Mass., Sep. 17, 1906 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Chelsea Water Works, Broadway near Everett Avenue, 10-inch cast-iron pipe showing electrolytic pittings; age 18 years, exposed to electrolysis 11 years, Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 26, 1904 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Progress Photo, Hot Water Heating System, Looking Northeast Towards Building 132, Turn at Chauncey Avenue and 8 Fourth Street. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Electrolysis, 48-inch pipe No. 387 pitted by electrolysis, Boylston Street; laid September 1896, removed October 1910, Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Contract No. 150, Installation of a Waterwheel, Generator, Switchgear, Transformer, Substation, and the Construction of a Transmission Line, Winsor Dam Power Plant, Belchertown, view from floor of Outlet building showing metal collar for pressure regulator connection, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Reservoir, Belchertown, Mass., Jul. 30, 1946

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe before relocating, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 26, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Dry Dock Number 4, Caisson Experiment. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, break; electrolysis, electrolytic pitting in bottom of 48-inch pipe No. 503 that burst on December 24, 1909 in Harvard Square (compare with No. 6451 for location), Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 5, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, break in 48-inch main at Rowe Terrace near Boston & Albany Railroad, Newton, Mass., Nov. 6, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Compressed Air Mains Morris Avenue, Line Valves and Connections at Morris Avenue and 3rd Street, Looking Northwest. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Electrolysis, Chelsea Water Works, Broadway near Everett Avenue, 10-inch cast-iron pipe showing electrolytic pittings; age 18 years, exposed to electrolysis 11 years, Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 26, 1904 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, interior of old 20-inch pipe, Chelsea Creek; Chelsea; East Boston, Mass., Sep. 10, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Cambridge Water Works, Boylston Street near Eliot Street, 6-inch cast-iron pipe showing electrolytic pittings; age 14 years, exposed to electrolysis 7 years, Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 13, 1904 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, electrolytic pittings in 48-inch pipe No. 799, Cambridge, Mass., Jun. 29, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Break in Sewer. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Clinton Sewerage, interior of covered reservoir, Section 2, Clinton, Mass., Aug. 31, 1899 , waterworks, sewage treatment, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Dry Dock Number 4, Showing Housing for Pawl, Capstan Number 3. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, blow-out on 20-inch force main to Bellevue Reservoir, rear of Hyde Park Pumping Station, Hyde Park, Mass., Jul. 14, 1920 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Historic photographs of the Norfolk Naval shipyard located in the Fifth Naval District. Operating under the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, excavating for temporary 36-inch main to allow for subway construction, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., May 18, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, electrolysis of 6-inch pipe, Cambridge Water Works, Boylston Street near Eliot Street (compare with No. 5809), Cambridge, Mass., Aug. 16, 1907 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, old 48-inch main in service, supported temporarily on subway roof, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., May 6, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, blow-out on 20-inch force main to Bellevue Reservoir, rear of Hyde Park Pumping Station, Hyde Park, Mass., Jul. 14, 1920 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, original 20-inch pipe removed from Chelsea Creek; male half of flexible joint, Chelsea Creek; Chelsea, Mass., Oct. 19, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Building 11, Foundation for Forging Press. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Electrolysis, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 27, Broad Street, corner Union Street, electrolytic pittings in 16-inch pipe No. 421, Lynn, Mass., Nov. 13, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Electrolysis, Boston Water Works, Massachusetts Avenue at Harrison Avenue, gap in 30-inch pipe line where pipe injured by electrolysis was removed to make new connection, looking east (compare with Nos. 5968 and 5969), Boston, Mass., Oct. 26, 1905 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, blow-out on 20-inch force main to Bellevue Reservoir, rear of Hyde Park Pumping Station, Hyde Park, Mass., Jul. 14, 1920 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Electrolysis, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 27, Washington Street at Sagamore Street, electrolytic pittings in center of 12-inch pipe No. 1, Lynn, Mass., Nov. 19, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking west from Sta. 881+08 showing upper steel plate special, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., May 29, 1940

Historic photographs of the Norfolk Naval shipyard located in the Fifth Naval District. Operating under the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy.

Electrolysis, Porter Square, interior of positive section of 48-inch insulation joint No. 4 after 1 year, 8 months of service, showing electrolytic pittings, Cambridge, Mass., Sep. 12, 1906 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, completed tunnel from station 11+40, Newton, Mass., Jul. 10, 1911 , waterworks, water tunnels, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, stratification on south side of main cut-off trench, station 8+75, Clinton, Mass., May 29, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Electrolysis, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 11, Boylston Street, 48-inch insulation joint, Cambridge, Mass., Jul. 16, 1904 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, electrolysis

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