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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