Скачать с ютуб Austin Dam and Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill в хорошем качестве

Austin Dam and Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill

The Austin Dam, also known as the Bayless Dam. Was constructed on Freeman's Run. Designed to supply water to the Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill in Austin PA. The paper mill was the primary employer for the residents of Austin. George C. Bayless, from Binghampton NY started construction of the mill in 1900. The dam was later constructed in 1909, to insure that the mill would have water to run the mill during dry periods. On May 8th, 1909 construction of the dam began. Designed by T. Chalkley Hatton. The dam was designed 50 feet high and more than 530 feet long. And to hold 200 million gallons of water. The base of the dam was designed to be 30 feet thick. Howevercost cutting measures during construction were done so the base of the dam was only 20 feet thick. And the depth of the foundation designed to be 11 feet deep, was only constructed 4 feet deep. Against safe engineering practice at the time. George C. Bayless also instructed workers to increase the height of the dam and spillway, to increase the water capacity, without informing engineer T. Chalkley Hatton. Construction of the dam was finished by December 1909 at a cost of $86,000. The dam was designed to replace a smaller dam up stream for more water capacity for the mill. Due to the cost cutting measures, and shortcuts in construction. By January 1910, there were already problems with the dam. Slippage and leaks. The pressure caused the concrete to crack, and the dam bowed more than 36 feet. Repairs were done, including blasting a 13 foot section of the crest for excess water to spill over to relieve pressure. In 1910, Austin had 3,000 residents. Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill had a monthly payroll of $35,000. The mill produced 50 tons of paper each day. On September 30th, 1911. The water level was just half an inch below the spillway crest of the dam. Despite leakage through and under the dam. The mill superintendent refused to open the outlet works to relieve pressure. As he wanted to ensure maximum productivity of the mill by keeping the water high. Around 2:00-2:15pm, the dam broke. A wall of water, hundreds of millions of gallons, surged down Freeman's Run. The torrent of water carried wood from the Bayless lumber yard down the stream. The water and logs smashed into Austin and then Costello. 78 people died. Damage was estimated to be around $10,000,000 in 1911 dollars. Adjusted for inflation, it would be almost $270,000,000 as of 2018. Although the paper mill and town was rebuilt after the flood. By 1920, the population of Austin was half of what it was in 1910. Bayless paid $600,000 to victims families in multiple lawsuits, due to negligence. In 1942 another flood would hit the Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill and Austin. However the 1942 flood did not result in loss of life. The mill finally closed in 1944 after a major fire, and has been abandoned since. The remains of the dam are as it was in 1911 when it broke. And after nearly 75 years, what is left of the mill is in decay after it closed in 1944.