12th September 2020 - New River water pipe, 17th century

By the 1600s the water supply in London had become contaminated with sewage and diseases but a revolutionary seventeenth century engineering scheme used wooden pipes like this one to bring fresh water to people in London.

Sir Hugh Myddelton was responsible for building the open waterway in the seventeen century, which winded its way along 40 miles ending next to the Sadler’s Wells at the New River Head. The project cost around £18,000 at the time and employed 600 workers for four years.

From New River Head hollowed out elm trunks such as this one were used to pipe the water into the city and then small lead pipes took water into residents’ homes.

Elm was chosen as it is resistant to water and it grows tall and straight – great for water pipes. One end of the trunk was tapered so that it could fit into the next trunk then the pipes were lashed together with leather straps.

Thanks to Islington Life on-line magazine for the above information and to Islington Museum. Visit their web sites for more fascinating stories. http://islingtonlife.london/discover-islington/blog/our-history-water-pipes/

Before metal was widely available, many other English towns had elm water mains, including Bristol, Reading, Exeter, Southampton, Hull and Liverpool. Credit The Woodland Trust.

Ted Higgs

September 2020