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Woolwich Common.—There is a covered reservoir on
Woolwich Common. It is situated to the south-west of the
Royal Military College, and to the south of the road between
the College and the Herbert Hospital. The part of the Common
which is occupied by the reservoir is enclosed by low iron railings
to keep off cattle. The reservoir is of oblong form, covered by
brick arches, and turfed over. It is capable of holding 1,500,000
gallons and is situated 248 ft. above ordnance datum.
Plumstead.—The station at Plumstead consists of a well and
pumping station. The well is 136 ft. in depth and is lined by
brick to a depth of 78 ft., and there is a bore-hole 600 ft. in
depth. When visited on March 25th the water level was 107 ft.
below the surface. After pumping the level has been as low as
112 ft. below the surface. Usually the well is pumped for from
twelve to sixteen out of the twenty-four hours. The water is
pumped by a rotative engine of 60 horse-power, which works a
pair of lift-pumps and four force-pumps driven through tooth
gearing. The steam is generated by two Cornish boilers working
at a pressure of 30 lb. The amount of water pumped daily
averages about 750,000 gallons. From this well Plumstead and
Woolwich are supplied directly, and some of the water goes to
the reservoir on Plumstead Common.
Plumstead Common.—The reservoir, built in the year 1854,
is situated at a height of 170 ft. above ordnance datum. It is
covered by brick arches which are supported by iron girders.
The reservoir is divided into two parts internally. It is capable
of holding 650,000 gallons. There is sufficient land here for
another reservoir of the same size.
Greenwich Park.—This reservoir is situated at the highest
part of Greenwich Park, not far from the Royal Observatory.
The original reservoir was built by the Admiralty to store water to
be used in case of fire at the Dockyard, the Victualling Yard, or
the Greenwich Hospital (now the Royal Naval College). It was
made about the year 1845, just after a destructive fire had occurred
at the Tower of London. The reservoir is circular in form, and
is now covered over by brick arches which are supported by iron
joists. It is capable of holding about 1,125,000 gallons, and the