ME'CHANICS' CLUB. 



Organized March 2, 1854. 



The first meeting of the season was held on Wednesday, May 

 the 13th, 1857. 



Present — Messrs. Tillman, Sands, Cohen, Godwin, Fields, of 

 Wilmington, Delaware, Butler, Stetson, Haskell, Fisher, Leonard, 

 Chambers, and others; twenty-three members. 



The regular Chairman, Mr. Haswell, being absent, Mr. Haskell 

 was chosen Chairman pro tern. Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



Mr. Fields explained the anti-freezing hydrant erected in the 

 Repository. He and Mr. S. Gerhard are the patentees. This 

 apparatus prevents all waste of water, and is self-closing. The 

 water all leaves the pipe, and retires to the ground, and by moving 

 a crank, instantly rises to full head; thus preventing the process 

 of chemical solution of the metallic pipes, which is much increased 

 by the water in them being under heavy pressure while at rest. 

 It is claimed for it, that it will work for several years without 

 repairs. 



Mr. Godwin remarked, that the principle is not new by any 

 means, for he, being a plumber, was well acquainted with it. 

 His friend, Haines, of this city, some time ago invented one. 



Mr. Fields doubted whether Mr. Godwin understood it; and 

 asked Mr. Godwin to draw Haines' hydrant on the blackboard, 

 while he drew the other. 



With the assistance of Mr. Tillman, it was drawn, and Mr. 

 Godwin drew the other- so that comparison was perfect. Both 

 having been explained 



