Pump for London Bridge
Date
13 January 1686
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p3
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 185mm
width (page): 110mm
width (page): 110mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Denis Papin's design of a pump for a water engine at London Bridge. Papin had been to London Bridge, which had a pumping system for water supply since the late sixteenth century (re-installed after the Fire of London). At the meeting of the Royal Society on 13 January 1686, Papin reported that he could not see the pump at the Bridge because it was covered, and offered his own design which would function the same way.
Transcription
Having been commanded to observe the new Pump made at the bridge which by a satisfactory tryall hath been found to outdo a good chain Pump although they were moved both with the same strength: I have accordingly been at the water house, but the engine was not working at that time, nevertheless I could see well enough all the outward parts fitted for to hinder friction and variation, and I shall not describe them since they may be seen by any one.
...
AA is the barrel of the pump exactly shut and soddered both at the bottom and at the top
BC: two valves fitted to let the water get into the pump and keep it from getting out
DE two other valves fitted to let the water be forced out of the pump and keep it from returning in.
HH the plug with a rod fastened to it: this rod passeth through a hole in the middle of the cover of the pump, and it fills the said hole pretty exactly
FF a pipe soddered to the cover of the pump AA
GG the lever to move the plug
LL the extremities of the tubes immersed in the water to be drawn into the pump.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
...
AA is the barrel of the pump exactly shut and soddered both at the bottom and at the top
BC: two valves fitted to let the water get into the pump and keep it from getting out
DE two other valves fitted to let the water be forced out of the pump and keep it from returning in.
HH the plug with a rod fastened to it: this rod passeth through a hole in the middle of the cover of the pump, and it fills the said hole pretty exactly
FF a pipe soddered to the cover of the pump AA
GG the lever to move the plug
LL the extremities of the tubes immersed in the water to be drawn into the pump.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 13 January 1686, ‘Dr. Papin read a paper of his, containing an account of the contrivance of his water-engine for circulating water; which was ordered to be registered. He read likewise his thoughts concerning the water-engine at London-bridge, which raises water without intermission. He affirmed, that though the inward contrivance of that pump was concealed, he could make another, which should have the same effect, and produced a scheme of his invention’ (Birch 4:452).
The account is registered in RBO/6/291 with the legend but without the image.
The account is registered in RBO/6/291 with the legend but without the image.
Related fellows
Denis Papin (1647, French) , Natural philosopher
Associated place