(This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)
This book was originally published prior to 1923, and represents a reproduction of an important historical work, maintaining the same format as the original work. While some publishers have opted to apply OCR (optical character recognition) technology to the process, we believe this leads to sub-optimal results (frequent typographical errors, strange characters and confusing formatting) and does not adequately preserve the historical character of the original artifact. We believe this work is culturally important in its original archival form. While we strive to adequately clean and digitally enhance the original work, there are occasionally instances where imperfections such as blurred or missing pages, poor pictures or errant marks may have been introduced due to either the quality of the original work or the scanning process itself. Despite these occasional imperfections, we have brought it back into print as part of our ongoing global book preservation commitment, providing customers with access to the best possible historical reprints. We appreciate your understanding of these occasional imperfections, and sincerely hope you enjoy seeing the book in a format as close as possible to that intended by the original publisher.
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Frederick Graff's grandfather, Jacob Graff, arrived in Pennsylvania from Germany in 1741. His father, also christened Jacob, established the family fortunes on a firm basis; and Frederick, born in Philadelphia, was followed in his profession by Frederic, his son.
In 1797, Graff began his apprenticeship as a draftsman on the Philadelphia Water Works, with which he was connected during the rest of his life.
In 1805, four years after the first system, in Centre Square, was opened, Graff was appointed superintendent. This system, to the success of which Graff contributed materially, was the first steam-power water-works in the United States.
From the Schuylkill the water was raised fifty feet and, after flowing through a brick tunnel six feet in diameter, was again raised thirty-six feet to the reservoir from which it was distributed by wooden mains throughout the city.
The boiler, an ingenious device made of five-inch pine planks secured with braces and stay bolts, contained a cast-iron fire-box and a number of flues.
Part of it has been preserved by the Franklin Institute, of which Graff became a member in 1826.
As early as 1810, Graff and John Davis were instructed to examine all possible sources of supply. They selected Mount Morris, now Fairmount, as the site for a new reservoir.
At first, they used a steam- power plant; but before the undertaking was completed, in 1822, Graff had projected the hydraulic development which he carried out with such tenacity, skill, and judgment.
The crib dam which he erected on the river was thirteen feet in height and over 1, 250 feet in length; and the eight breast wheels were sixteen to eighteen feet in diameter.
For this innovation, Graff was almost entirely responsible. With practically no data on which to base his calculations, he designed the mains, over 113 miles of which were laid by 1842, the connections, stop-cocks, and fire- plugs.
Since they were constructed of iron, he encountered many obstacles in the process of manufacture; but he surmounted all of them in such a manner as to establish his reputation throughout the United States.
He remained chief engineer of the Water Department until his death, when he was succeeded by his son Frederic Graff, Jr.
(This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)
Graff was married to Judith Swyer.
