CCC

Probably one of the most knwon historic place you’ve heard of, but never heard from under…

more after the jump..

(translation + résume of  »Étude des Valeurs Architectures et Patrimoniales de l’Usine — by Luce Lafontaine, Architecte ». AQPI. Volume 17, Numéro 1, Hiver 2006

In the first quarter of the 19 century, industrialisation and population growth are massively undergoing in most North American cities. Water treatment begun around 1845 in Montreal when  »la Corporation de la Cité de Montréal acquires  »la Compagnie de l’Aqueduc ». By the time, the system was mostly constituted of partial private propriety made since the early 1800. Montreal being what it is, an island, it is inevitable that flooding occurs. In 1886, one of the worst flooding of the city development happened to most people disagreement. In addition to the cholera epidemics (1832) and typhoid fever (1874) we attributed to stagnant water, flood damage will ensure that a system of containment and pumping parallel to the water systems and sewer already in place had to be constructed. At this particular system belongs the pumping station –(1887).

Inspection of M. St.-George: ‘’The principal low level sewer of the city passes this point at a level of twenty-six feet below the height reached by the flood, entering the city by this sewer is the object of this pumping station. The essential features of the work are: An iron penstock gate, to be close when the river is at flood; the sewerage, dammed up by the closing of this gate, will be conveyed to the pumping station by a brick flume and distributed by six smaller flumes to four centrifugal pumps that have combined discharge of 72,000 gallons per minutes. The sewerage will be raised by these pumps fifteen feet, and discharged into the same sewer from which it was pumped, but at the other side of the penstock gate. The motive power will be two pairs automatic engines of 300 horse power each, manufactured by Laurie & Bro., of this city (…) The party then drove to the Mill street pumping station, which is still far from complete at the time. It is similar in design to the other. ‘’

Historians have been unable to obtain more information on how specific and particular quality of the equipment of the Station –. The station was, however, the one with the greatest capacity to every other station pumps that exist in the city and this until 1960. It comprises four centrifugal pumps Webber American-made with a total capacity of 42 000 GIPM, and as much steam engines built by the J. Laurie & Bro. builders, Montreal, which are all authentic. Sadly, the steam system of the plant has now disappeared. No significant changes have been made to the building.

During the years 1970, the city could not carry more than the maintenance of the building because it is increasingly difficult to recruit skilled engineers to run the pumps. Unless necessary, a notice is sent to stop all activities of the station for a second year. It will follow the recommendation to abandon both stations — and — and lead to halting their maintenance condition. In 1980 on orders to cease maintenance of steam systems of the two stations but ahead pending the commissioning of the interceptor south of the CUM (Communauté Urbaine de Montréal), it is recommended to maintain the –. The abandonment of — pumping station is done in 1987.

After all, the plant has worked to counter the floods that affect Montreal for a few centuries, — possesses a great heritage. The equipment that holds the basement of the building belongs to the first generations of pumps used for sewage disposal in the 19th century in North America.

Thus so far we haven’t found informations on the sewer itself under –.