Water for the Nabob - An Indian Journey |
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In 1814 Hugh Thomson, a young engine
erector, travelled to India at the request of the East India Company,
to put up an engine for the Indian dignitary the Nabob Vizier of
Oude, at his palace near Lucknow.
The engine was for draining the foundations
of a new iron bridge across the Goomty River designed by the
renowned engineer John Rennie. Afterwards the engine was to
pump water to a reservoir and fountains in the Nabob's garden.
The journey took Thomson six months. When he arrived he found
the Nabob had died, and his son was unsure about buying the
engine. |
Left: Sketch plan of palace and bridge
by John Rennie |
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Above: Sketch of
the proposed
arrangementof the engine and pumps |
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Above: Section
of the engine
and enguine house, 1814 |
| Furthermore, wrong parts had been sent - pieces
of an engine that should have been sent to the Caribbean! This delayed
Thomson's work by another four months. Thomson was not idle during
this time, helping the Calcutta authorities to plan water supply using
a steam engine. |
Moreover, in contrast to some English engineers, India agreed with
him. The hot climate suited his constitution and he "liked the
country well", helped by the "liberal manner" in which
the East India Company were providing for him during his stay.
Right: Elevation of the Nabob's engine house, 1814 |
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