Putney Aqueduct
Note: The iron aqueduct constructed in 1855-6 was demolished c.1886, the water being conducted in pipes within the new Putney Bridge.
1855 'The Putney mains, at the point which crosses the river, consist of two 30-in. mains reduced to 24 in, and one 15-in. main reduced to 12 in.; the latter for unfiltered water, as used for ordinary purposes, watering the roads, &c. ; the former containing the filtered supply for domestic purposes. The water from the reservoirs on Putney Heath will, by its own gravitation, pass directly over the aqueduct for distribution throughout the extensive districts wherein the supply is directed in the usual manner. The sustaining aqueduct crossing the Thames will be about 720 feet between the abutments, which will be constructed in solid brickwork, set in blue lias or hydraulic mortar. The external brickwork will be of the blue bricks, which for hardness are unequalled, having granite stone quoins. The coffer-dams are now constructing, the water for within which will be discharged by means of Aphold's centrifugal pump, on the principle of that which was seen in the National Exhibition of 1851, and worked by a seven-horse-power steam-engine, and is capable of discharging no less a quantity than 6,000 gallons of water during each minute. The piers, to the height of 5 feet above Trinity high-water mark, will be formed of four cast-iron screw piles, with iron ties and braces, well
driven and screwed down into the bed of the river, on Mitchell's principle, to the depth of 14 feet, so as to allow of the river itself being deepened either by artificial means, the scour of the tidal currents, or the washing of the steam-boats, to the depth of 5 feet, and yet retain their 9 feet hold upon the ground. The piles are to be so driven as to form rectangular piers 8 feet 4 inches by 11 feet 6 inches, each pier having two additional starting or cut-water piers : the whole to be constructed solid to the height of 5 feet above high-water mark, and to be filled in with Portland cement concrete.
Upon these piers the aqueduct will be supported by a cluster of four columns of the Grecian Doric order. The height of the under side of the girder bridge at low water will be 34 feet 6 inches, or 22 feet above Trinity high-water mark, ordinary spring tides. The openings or bays into which the space between the abutments will be divided are of the respective bearings, otherwise spans, which follow : viz., 2 intervals of 60 feet, 2 of 67 feet, 2 of 74 feet, 2 of 81 feet, and a centre opening of 90 feet between the piers.
The aqueduct will be formed of two main girders and cross girders, upon which, as previously stated, the aqueduct mains will be sustained. These girders will be constructed of wrought-iron plates securely rivetted together with joint plates, thickening pieces top and bottom, angle-irons in length sufficient to reach from centre to centre of the pier; the whole to be strongly connected together at the butting joints, so as to form two continuous girders reaching from one abutment to the other, and all the plates to break joint.
The cost of this work, independent of contingencies, may fairly be estimated in approximate amount at about £18,500; the cost of the reservoirs at £23,500, and the pipe-laying and pipes at £120,000; or, with other miscellaneous items of expenditure, of the whole at about £350,000. Under Mr. Simpson as resident engineer, Mr. White superintends the works at Putney, and Mr. Simpson, jun., at Kingston, &c. Mr. Brotherhood, of Cheltenham, is the contractor for the aqueduct; Messrs. Cochran, of Dudley, for pipes; and Mr. Crump, of Derby, for the driving and laying the pipes and mains. Such works as these necessarily must contribute to advance the sanitary state and condition of London. ...'.[1]
See here for photographs showing the old Putney Bridge, the old aqueduct, the temporary aqueduct, and the new bridge during construction [2]