Draft
Bing air view
On my recent visit to Rushgrove House (private property).
The pond in its gardens looked so natural. (And thankfully looked after which
is more then can be said for its Government owners) But what we see today is totally
man made and formed a major part of the main clean water supply to the Arsenal.
Up until?????.
Perched on the very edge of one the best preserved of Bowater
quarries. Edward BOWATER (1712-1777 unchecked*) was approached in the 1750’s to
supply water for both the Dockyard and Arsenal. He had constructed a reservoir
which is now known as Mulgrave pond.
cromptonfamily 2013.11
Brought in 1815 by The Board of Ordnance.
The water being piped down via Wellington Street, into underground
tanks with an outlet pipe and valve into the Thames near to the Arsenal pier. With
water from the unnamed “Brook” running down from Brook Hill. (Information unchecked).
The amount of water required for steam power. The Thames
unusable being both salt water and highly polluted at Woolwich. The Arsenal would
still off required a much more supply then this. To work. The water tower on
Shooters Hill brought water in from Kent. For local supply.
Also during the 18hundreds an unsuccessful series of bore
wells to depth of some 400feet (or yards). Was also made.
Victoria House on Woolwich Common also had a pond. Was this also
connected towards the Arsenal?
Small brick building on Ha Ha Road, south side.
Many rumours of connecting secret tunnels out from the Arsenal Walls running all over
the place. Can be laid at the need for water supply.
How did the water get in pass the later built North Kent Railway line
and the main South London Sewage pipe?
·
British History Online (1796) Edward BOWATER esq
owner of Manor of Southall.
updated
2013.11.26
