3-008-416 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Metropolitan Railway and the Fleet Ditch, [London], 1862. 'In a few months Paddington will be joined to the City by a new thoroughfare...This line has a width of nearly thirty feet, and its tunnelled arch along the line of what is known as the New-road forms a graceful curve, the majestic sweep of which can be seen at any point, as the whole is well lighted with gas...That portion of the tunnel...from Euston-square to King's-cross, of which Mr. Jay is the contractor, is completed, and the open cutting is being rapidly proceeded with. Fleet Ditch is turned and its bed laid bare, a tunnel having been made under it for the rapid removal of the rubbish which comes from the destruction of the houses cityward. Our View...was sketched at the foot of Frederick-street, Gray's-inn-road, at its junction with Bagnigge-wells-road...Looking towards King's-cross, the streets through which the Metropolitan Railroad has breached its way are - Britannia-street, Swinton-street, Acton-street and Frederick-street...at this point the Fleet Ditch is temporarily diverted from its course, previously to its being boxed up...in an iron tube; and hence we catch what may possibly be a last glimpse of the Fleet, now a sewer, but once a crystal stream...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.