|
Reminiscences of John B Jervis Engineer of the Old Croton Edited FitzSimons w/DJ
Reminiscences of John B Jervis Engineer of the Old Croton, The by Neal FitzSimons
Hard Cover w/ dust jacket
196 pages
Copyright 1971
CONTENTS
Foreword, by Robert Vogel vii
Preface ix
Introduction 1
I Early Life 21
II Resident Engineer on the Erie Canal 36
III Superintending Engineer on the Erie Canal 45
IV Delaware and Hudson Canal 65
V Early Locomotives 85
VI Mohawk and Hudson Railway 102
VII Chenango Canal and Erie Enlargement 109
VIII Croton Water Supply System 119
IX Croton Dam 133
X High Bridge 143
XI Douglass Controversy 153
XII Later Projects 174
XIII Professionalism and the Engineer 183
Chronology of Jervis' Professional Life 189
Index 191
ILLUSTRATIONS (following page 94)
Jervis at time of Croton project
Engineering drawing of Croton Dam
View above Croton Dam
View below Croton Dam
Construction on High Bridge View of High Bridge
Murray Hill reservoir
Locomotive "Experiment"
Jervis home in Rome, New York
Jervis in old age
Sketch map of Delaware and Hudson Canal
Sketch map of Croton Aqueduct
DUST JACKET INTRODUCTION
Portions of the Old Croton Aqueduct, which in 1842 furnished New York City with an ample supply of pure water for the first time, may still be seen near Tarrytown and Yonkers north of the city and near the George Washington Bridge. The forty-mile aqueduct brought John B. Jervis (1795-1885) worldwide acclaim as chief engineer for the system, which included the High Bridge, the Croton Dam, and the Murray Hill Distributing Reservoir, where the New York Public Library now stands. Although Port Jervis, New York, is named for him, and he was internationally recognized during his lifetime as one of the great civil engineers of the nineteenth century, Jervis is rarely mentioned in the history books.
John B. Jervis was a poor farm boy from upstate New York. As a young man, he began his career as an axeman, learned surveying in the field, and finally became a civil engineer on the Erie Canal. The Delaware and Hudson Canal was his first assignment as chief engineer, and he later designed the Chenango Canal and the Erie enlargement. He was fascinated with locomotives; he designed the "Stourbridge Lion" and invented the four-wheel "bogie" truck to keep engines from jumping the track on curves.
From middle to old age, Jervis wrote a series of autobiographical sketches of his professional life. They are published here for the first time, edited by Neal Fitzsimons, a civil engineer and engineering historian who has also written an Introduction and provided explanatory footnotes. Robert Vogel, Curator of the Division of Mechanical & Civil Engineering of the Smithsonian Institution, has supplied a Foreword. Mr. Fitz-Simons conducted his research at the Smithsonian and at the Jervis Library in Rome, New York, where the Jervis Papers-including thousands of letters, memorabilia, and the original manuscript of Jervis' sketches-are housed.
Jervis' reminiscences focus primarily on his engineering projects, but he also comments on the nature of his informal education, New York State politics throughout his career, and the changing face of America during his lifetime. As Mr. FitzSimons notes in his Preface: "Jervis' account ... should be of interest not only to historians of technology and Jervis' professional legatees in engineering, but also to others who wonder about how our great public works-railroads, canals, dams, and waterworks-were constructed, and to those who want to gain a greater appreciation for the men who literally built our country."
Illustrations, Chronology of Jervis' Professional Life, and Index are included.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: Ebay will add $1.25 each additional items, there are a few exceptions.
Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and forwarded to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. Refunds may be issued if you add multiple items to your cart and pay with one payment. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
