early 1900's photos of the De Sabla powerhouse supplying Oakland and San Francisco

These are a couple of photos dated Nov. 1909, of the De Sabla powerhouse in Northern Ca. These were taken by W. J. Crabbe a family ancestor. I have numerous other photos of different power houses and dam construction projects from this time frame that he worked on, which I won't post just yet, because I may publish them in book form. W. J. Crabbe worked as a superintendant for the precursors to and the newly forming PG&E co. at the time, and was one of the pioneers in California's present day electrical generating grid.

photo #1 back reads: "showing no. 3 and 4 generators operating at 2300volts capacity, capacity 5000kw each. voltage stepped up to 60,000volts for transmission to Oakland and San Francisco 215 miles distant by pole line and 258 to San Francisco."

photo #2 back reads: "showing part of a switching gallery with switches of no.4 generator exposed. All work shown in picture including concreteing,doors,ironwork, bus bars, switches etc, done by W.J.Crabbe Apr to Nov 09"

photo #3 back reads: "De Salba Powerhouse reconstruction 1909. A cockeyed valve.-error. Flange holes were ordered "on center". Valve delivered with flange holes 10 degrees off center. (Too many conflicting standards for flange boring)."

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