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73
My attention was called to this damage, and to two very similar
cases of damage to water pipes, by Mr. Wilkins, clerk to the St. James's
Vestry, on the 14th ult.
It appeared that a lead water pipe supplying the premises of Mr.
Barker, pastry cook, &c., whose shop is closely adjacent to that of Mr
Peat, had been eaten through twice within a few months.
I examined a piece of pipe which had been thus damaged, and the
appearance was suggestive of electric action.
Mr. Barker's employes also averred that they had sustained electric
shocks from touching the handle of a water tap on a boiler in metallic
connection with the lead pipe.
As the possibility of electric shocks was a very serious matter, I lost
no time in having the main of the London Electric Supply Corporation
•exposed.
This main terminates in a "dead end" nearly opposite Mr. Barker's
shop, and I thought it possible that there might be serious leakage from
this.
But it turned out to be in very good order, and no shock whatever
could be obtained from the outer casing of the main.
The action on the water pipes also was much more likely to be
occasioned by a main supplying continuous current.
On the 29th March, I examined the gas meter on the invitation of
the Chief Inspector, and its appearance was thoroughly in accordance
with the theory of galvanic or electrolytic action as to the cause of the
damage.
Two holes had been eaten through the back of the meter where it had
been in contact with a damp wall, the rest of the meter showing no sign
of corrosion.
On the 30th March I received an intimation from Mr. Wilkins that Mr.
Barker's water service pipe had again failed.
The ground was opened to remove the defective pipe, exposing a
portion of the culvert of the St. James and Pall Mall Electric, Light
Company, which was laid just above the water-pipe, and by means of a
few tests with a galvanometer, I satisfied myself that there was a
steady difference of potential of about six volts between the iron culvert
and the water-pipe, the culvert being negatively charged as regards the
pipe.