3-003-966 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

London Main Drainage: barrow-hoist on the southern high-level sewer at Peckham, 1861. '...Illustration of a peculiar arrangement by which the barrows used in making the excavation are hoisted from the bottom of the cutting to the top by means of steam machinery - an improvement on the plan of casting earth up from stage. This plan is the patented invention of Mr. Bennett. That now working on the southern high-level sewer has eighteen barrows attached to it, which are lifted from 35 to 40ft. in about half a minute; the barrows contain in all about three cubic yards of earth, and can be filled, lifted, emptied, and again lowered and made ready for again lifting in less than two minutes'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.