Description and History of Site:-

Station opened 1892 by LHP. Coal was delivered to adjacent Shadwell Basin and water extracted from this same dock. 6 boilers provided steam for six inverted vertical triple-expansion pumping engines; hydraulic energy stored in two accumulators. 2 electric turbo pumps added 1923, plant radically modernised 1950s. Steam plant replaced by electric pumps which continued until closure summer 1977. World's last working hydraulic pumping station on public supply system. Much plant removed and tanks were to be removed from roofs at the back. Adjacent is underground water storage reservoir (qv), which held 420,000 gallons. Roof supported on cast-iron columns with beam and jack-arch spanning system. Became the home of the Wapping Project arts centre and Wapping Food restaurant in the turbine hall, but currently (2019) believed closed with plans for redevelopment submitted to Tower Hamlets Council.

Docklands History Survey (1984): 'The London Hydraulic Power Company acquired land for building a pumping station here in 1889 and the completed station commenced its active life in 1892. Coal was delivered to the adjacent Shadwell Basin and water was obtained from this same dock. Six boilers provided steam for six inverted vertical triple-expansion pumping engines, hydraulic energy being stored in two accumulators of the usual kind. Two electric turbo pumps were added in 1923 and the plant was radically modernised in the 1950s, at least in part due to the introduction of a smokeless zone. The steam plant was altogether removed and replaced by electric pumps which continued until the closure of the station in the summer of 1977 when it was the world's last working hydraulic pumping station on a public supply system. Much of the plant has since been removed but there are plans for a hydraulic power museum. The pumping station building with its ivy clad tower is quite a landmark.'

Further Reading and References:-

Falconer, Keith. 'Guide to England's Industrial Heritage'. Batsford, 1980
Tower Hamlets planning application PA/19/00571/A1 including Archaeology Report
Docklands History Survey, Greater London Council Historic Buildings Division 1984, ISBN 978-0716813293.

Help us improve this entry

The compilers welcome corrections or additional information on all sites.
Any information provided will be verified before appearing on the web site.

Email comments

Key Words :- Hydraulic pumping station

Address :- Wapping Wall, London, Greater London, E1W 3SG
Grid Ref :- TQ 3530 8053
Co-ordinates :- Lat 51.507511 , Long -0.051835
Local Authority :- Tower Hamlets London Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- Greater London Council
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II*
Historic England List No - 1242419,
Site Condition :- Site refurbished to industrial / commercial use
Site Dates :- 1892 -
Contributor :- GLIAS Database - 2 June 2018

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © GLIAS Database