SHEET-IRON WATER PIPE.

SHEET-IRON WATER PIPE.

MISCELLANY

IN the far West, says The Metal Worker, where water is conveyed long distances for irrigating and other purposes, it is a frequent practice to make use of thin sheet-iron pipes. It is not at all remarkable that pipes of light weight should be used, for the saving in cost thus effected is an all-important item in a new and sparsely settled country. But what is not so easily accounted for is the durability of water pipes of such material. Practically they are nothing more than sheet-iron, and are run over the surface of the ground without covering or protection of any sort. Nevertheless these water mains are said to last an extraordinary length of time. The only explanation offered of their endurance is the fact that they are not moved or subjected to shocks and rough usage. A pipe is run over the ground and there it remains undisturbed until it becomes useless, while water pipes in cities and towns are constantly being tampered with, displaced by the settling of the earth if underground, or, if exposed, subject too often to rough usage and not infrequently to shiftings. Such rough usage, it is urged, rapidly hastens the destruction of a pipe, which, if left untouched, would last a much longer time. According to the advocates of this theory, it would appear that a water pipe is like a steam boiler in some respects. A boiler may be almost rusted through in spots, and yet under the hydraulic test will show no evidence of being worn out. The same boiler, on the other hand, if submitted to test with the hammer, will immediately discover its weakness. So it is claimed to be with the thin iron pipe which, though pitted and rusted in many places, will yet continue to carry water until it finally collapses or is made to leak by some sudden shock.