3-043-798 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Brighton Aquarium, [Brighton, Sussex], 1872. 'This establishment...promises to be a great help to the popular study of an interesting branch of zoology...The engineer was Mr. Eugenius Birch...the architect was Mr. Nightingale...The first corridor...is covered with an elegant groined roof of parti-coloured brick, the arches, diagonal ribs, and central bosses being of Bath stone...On each side...are ranged the tanks, part of which are intended for fresh and part for salt water fish...The largest [tank] is over 100 ft. in length, and capable of accommodating the largest-sized whale, or, if need be, the famous sea-serpent itself. The front work is composed of Portland stone, ornamental iron, and heavy plate glass, which is secured to stone and iron work by waterproof cement...The fronts of these tanks are constructed of Ransom's patent concrete stone - a new material...The water will be supplied by means of pumps from the main reservoirs, which occupy the whole basement of the building; and by the judicious arrangement of pipes laid through the walls of the several tanks the water (without which the denizens of this marine palace would quickly cease to live) will be kept constantly in circulation throughout the entire building'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.