32G THE ISLAND Otf NANTUCKET. 



the people being bitterly opposed to the introduction 

 of the water. 



The first meeting held to consider the matter of in- 

 troducing water into the town of Nantucket was on 

 May 31, 1877, in Atlantic Hall. Space will not permit 

 an extended account of the conception and carrying 

 out of Mr. Joy's plans, and a few facts only can be 

 given. We find in the Nantucket Journal, March 19, 

 1879, the following article — 



" The pond covers an area of eight acres, is eighteen 

 feet deep in various parts, contains now about 33,000,- 

 000 gallons, and is supposed to be fed by strong springs. 

 The water is remarkably clear and pure, and the pond 

 has a fine sandy bottom, surveys made the past win- 

 ter failing to detect any mud. Prof. Lattimore of the 

 Rochester (K. Y.) University, while on a visit to the 

 island last fall, examined the premises, and pronounced 

 the water of excellent quality and the surroundings as 

 favorable for a water supply as he ever saw. On the 

 day of the first trial, March 18, 1879, there were 3,000 

 barrels pumped out with no perceptible decrease in the 

 pond, as shown by marks upon the margin, and there 

 is not the slightest fear of the supply ever becoming 

 exhausted under any circumstances. The pond is a few 

 feet higher than the level of the sea. 



" The tank was made by H. B. Bigelow & Co. of New 

 Haven, Conn., and is of quarter-inch wrought iron, 

 hot-riveted together. It is fifteen feet deep, twenty- 

 four feet in diameter, and holds 1,585 barrels. It is 

 supported by nine cast-iron pillars seven inches in 

 diameter, cross-braced with wrought-iron bars, and set 

 on a solid brick foundation. Across the top of the pil- 



