Shad Thames Pumping Station
This was one of several stations built to pump excess storm sewage into the Thames.
It was one of 54 combined sewer overflows (CSOs) discharging to the tidal River Thames [1]
In 1980 it was the subject of a recording visit by members of the Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society (GLIAS). The station was of particular interest because it still used the original 1908 gas engines. The excellent GLIAS report is available online here[2]. The report contains a great deal of information about the equipment and its manufacturers.
Severe rain storms led to the need for additional storm relief sewers. Among these was the Southwark and Bermondsey Storm Relief Sewer, constructed by the L.C.C. in 1906-8. It runs in a tunnel from near the Elephant and Castle to Shad Thames, and is joined by an overflow from the Duffield Sewer. The pumping station was initially provided with three pumps, but with provision for three more pumps, which were added in 1927-9.
A 12-inch gas main was laid directly from the gas works at Brunel Road, Rotherhithe.
The station's six main engines were three-cylinder vertical gas engines, made by the Campbell Gas Engine Co of Halifax. The original three, were of 350hp. The later three were of 250hp. They were started using compressed air. The engines drove large centrifugal pumps made by the Lilleshall Co.
The pumping equipment has been replaced. One of the gas engines may be seen at the Anson Engine Museum. The Mather and Platt hydraulic accumulator is on display at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry.