During his administration as engineer of the Croton Aqueduct, the growth of the city required extensive additions to the waterworks. The distribution of water was greatly increased, the large receiving reservoir in the Central Park was built, as well as those on Blackwell's and Ward's islands, which were connected with the city services by pipes laid under the bed of the river. A complete survey was made of the watershed of the Croton river, and the large catch basin at Boyd's Corner was commenced, together with the pumping engine works, and the reservoir tower for the high service; also a wrought iron main pipe, 7 1/2 feet in diameter, was carried over the High Bridge, above the previous pipe, and was brought into use without interrupting the flow of water into the city for a single day. The sewer department was incorporated with the Croton Aqueduct department, and, under Mr. Craven's supervision, the present system of sewers was' projected, and many miles completed, before he resigned office on the 12th of May, 1868, which he did to the regret of the entire community, for he was known and esteemed as one of the most upright, faithful,and careful public officers the city ever had. He then, with his family, made an extensive tour in Europe, spending one summer in Sweden, studying the canals and river communications, and met with a most gracious reception from the King, from whom he received many favours. In Egypt Count Ferdinand de Lesseps paid him marked attention, and he was the first to carry American flag through the Suez Canal. On returning to the United States he opened an office in New York. During his connection with the Croton Aqueduct department he had been frequently called upon for advice by the engineers of other waterworks; this he always gave with promptness and great cheerfulness, for it was a pleasure to him to assist the younger members of the profession. He was, as Engineer-in- Chief, or as Consulting Engineer, connected with many water works, as those at Brooklyn, Savannah, and Augusta; and he was directly or indirectly connected with most of the works, projected or constructed, for the supply of water to many towns, his reputation in this branch of engineering having been more extensive than that of any other person in America. He was now again called into consultation on the construction of the Hempstead reservoir in Brooklyn, on the Syracuse waterworks, and on the supply of water for the city of Newark, the Gilbert elevated railroad, the Quarantine Hospital, the Fire Department,the Rifle Range, the Yacht Club, and many other institution of the city of New York, and was appointed one of the Commissioners of the Fourth Avenue improvements. Failing in health, he went again to Europe in Apri1l 1878, but his disease was irremediable, and he died at Chiswick, near London, on the 25th of March, 1879. His remains were conveyed to New York, where they were interred with all the honours paid to public men in that country.
No engineer has had in America a more extended reputation and no one has contributed more to give character and standing to the profession in that country. He was one of the first to assist in forming an American Society of Civil Engineers, of which he was elected a Member on the 1st of December, 1852. On the 29th of January, 1858, he read a Paper before that body, entitled, " Description of a line of large Water Mains laid by the Croton Aqueduct Department of the City of New York; and an inquiry into the causes of failure of a few of them." On the reorganization of the Society in 1868 he became one of its directors, and was its President during the years 1870-71. His idea of duty to the profession and to his employers was high; honest in his convictions, he was bold in expressing them, and never avoided official or personal responsibility. His friends were many; his enemies few, if any.
Mr. Craven was elected a Member of The Institution of Civil Engineers on the 1st of February, 1870. During his visits to Europe he was remarkable for the great number and high character of the friendships he formed. His chivalrous bearing, his extensive and thorough knowledge, and his extraordinary social gifts, secured a welcome wherever he traveled. He was on terms of intimate friendship with several well known English engineers, to whom his singular power of exposition in discussing professional details. was no slight additional attraction to the other charms of his society.
During his administration as engineer of the Croton Aqueduct, the growth of the city required extensive additions to the waterworks. The distribution of water was greatly increased, the large receiving reservoir in the Central Park was built, as well as those on Blackwell's and Ward's islands, which were connected with the city services by pipes laid under the bed of the river. A complete survey was made of the watershed of the Croton river, and the large catch basin at Boyd's Corner was commenced, together with the pumping engine works, and the reservoir tower for the high service; also a wrought iron main pipe, 7 1/2 feet in diameter, was carried over the High Bridge, above the previous pipe, and was brought into use without interrupting the flow of water into the city for a single day. The sewer department was incorporated with the Croton Aqueduct department, and, under Mr. Craven's supervision, the present system of sewers was' projected, and many miles completed, before he resigned office on the 12th of May, 1868, which he did to the regret of the entire community, for he was known and esteemed as one of the most upright, faithful,and careful public officers the city ever had. He then, with his family, made an extensive tour in Europe, spending one summer in Sweden, studying the canals and river communications, and met with a most gracious reception from the King, from whom he received many favours. In Egypt Count Ferdinand de Lesseps paid him marked attention, and he was the first to carry American flag through the Suez Canal. On returning to the United States he opened an office in New York. During his connection with the Croton Aqueduct department he had been frequently called upon for advice by the engineers of other waterworks; this he always gave with promptness and great cheerfulness, for it was a pleasure to him to assist the younger members of the profession. He was, as Engineer-in- Chief, or as Consulting Engineer, connected with many water works, as those at Brooklyn, Savannah, and Augusta; and he was directly or indirectly connected with most of the works, projected or constructed, for the supply of water to many towns, his reputation in this branch of engineering having been more extensive than that of any other person in America. He was now again called into consultation on the construction of the Hempstead reservoir in Brooklyn, on the Syracuse waterworks, and on the supply of water for the city of Newark, the Gilbert elevated railroad, the Quarantine Hospital, the Fire Department,the Rifle Range, the Yacht Club, and many other institution of the city of New York, and was appointed one of the Commissioners of the Fourth Avenue improvements. Failing in health, he went again to Europe in Apri1l 1878, but his disease was irremediable, and he died at Chiswick, near London, on the 25th of March, 1879. His remains were conveyed to New York, where they were interred with all the honours paid to public men in that country.
No engineer has had in America a more extended reputation and no one has contributed more to give character and standing to the profession in that country. He was one of the first to assist in forming an American Society of Civil Engineers, of which he was elected a Member on the 1st of December, 1852. On the 29th of January, 1858, he read a Paper before that body, entitled, " Description of a line of large Water Mains laid by the Croton Aqueduct Department of the City of New York; and an inquiry into the causes of failure of a few of them." On the reorganization of the Society in 1868 he became one of its directors, and was its President during the years 1870-71. His idea of duty to the profession and to his employers was high; honest in his convictions, he was bold in expressing them, and never avoided official or personal responsibility. His friends were many; his enemies few, if any.
Mr. Craven was elected a Member of The Institution of Civil Engineers on the 1st of February, 1870. During his visits to Europe he was remarkable for the great number and high character of the friendships he formed. His chivalrous bearing, his extensive and thorough knowledge, and his extraordinary social gifts, secured a welcome wherever he traveled. He was on terms of intimate friendship with several well known English engineers, to whom his singular power of exposition in discussing professional details. was no slight additional attraction to the other charms of his society.
Family Members
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