The Burden Water-Wheel

The south supporting pier of the old Burden water-wheel at Troy, N. Y., gave way on August 22d, 1914, and since that time there has been a general and rapid decay. In view of the fact that this wheel was the greatest in America, of a type now virtually obsolete, it seems proper at this time that its history, construction, and operation should be reviewed and placed on record in the publications of this Society. The writer was fortunate in having obtained complete measurements of the dimensions of the wheel and its setting prior to its failure, and these are given in the accompanying illustrations. A paper by the late Joseph P. Frizell, M. Am. Soc. C. E., entitled “The Old-Time Water-Wheels of America”, unfortunately, did not mention this wheel. In the discussion of that paper, however, the desire was expressed that it be pictured, “and its efficiency, present condition and relative usefulness made known”. Partly in response to this and to the feeling previously expressed, this paper is presented.