Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Formerly listed building. Main construction periods 1840 to 1880

Summary from record TQ 97 SW 66:

Water pumping station of 1862 by Sheerness Board of Health

Monument Types

• SITE (Post Medieval - 1840 AD to 1880 AD)
• PUMPING STATION (PUMPING STATION, Post Medieval - 1862 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
The entry for the following shall be deleted:
TQ 92 74 NW SHEERNESS Trinity Road
9/128 Water Tower Council Yard
The list was previously amended in respect of this entry on 29 October 1987.
SHEERNESS TRINITY ROAD TQ 92 74 NW Water Tower 9/128 Council Yard
II
Purpose built municipal water tower. c.1860 in elaborate classical style. Front part is of red brick with terra-cotta dressings. Roof concealed by pediment, 2 storeys and semi casement 3 windows: pediment with modillion cornice and elaborate scrolled cartouche with the initials of the water company. Below this are end giant pilasters with 2 smaller pilasters to 1st floor and projecting large central bay flanked by pilasters to 1st floor. Central bay has to 1st floor a triple round-headed window with elaborate terra-cotta surrounds with keystones and central porch with pediment on pilasters and frieze bearing inspection "Sheerness Local Board of Health". Central round headed doorcase with keystone. Other windows are also round headed with keystones. Side elevation of 2 bays with 2 paired round-headed windows to 1st floor and ground floor has 2 giant round headed arches with paired round headed arches and circular windows above. Rear part of building is of stack brick with large bracket cornice, stepped corner buttress and round headed arches with red brick dressings.
Listing NGR: TQ9220674729

Description from record TQ 97 SW 66:
Trinity Road Water Works built by Sheerness Board of Health in 1862. The original water tower on this site, designed by the Board's Surveyor, a Mr Barnes, was part constructed in 1861 but colapsed before completion. Sir John Rennie jr was called in to survey the site and advise on the building and the remains of the original tower were pulled down in 1862. By September of that year the present pumping station and water tower were in construction and was finished and the engine first steamed in April 1864 (1). The three storey puming engine house is in brick with artificial stone trim and decorative panels on the upper portions of the east (Trinity Road) and N elevations. The tower section, to the rear, is more plain. The engine (prob beam engine) and pumps have been removed as has the water tank and chimney (a stump remains at the SE corner of the station) but evidence of water pipes and workshop line shafting remains in the base of the tower (2). Site photographs (3,4).

English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Judge, Sheila 'Saga of Sheppey's Water Supply pt 2' (Bygone Kent 10/1, p.42) (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Site visit by DC Eve, Kent SMR Summer 1996 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<3> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9499.

<4> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9809.

Sources and further reading