Paul Cook
When London was powered by water..The London Hydraulic Power NetworkOriginsBuilt in the late 19th century to supply high-pressure water for industry.Operated by the London Hydraulic Power Company (LHPC), established in 1883.It replaced countless small steam engines and hand-powered systems in factories, warehouses, theatres, and even private homes.---How It WorkedCentral pumping stations (at places like Wapping, Rotherhithe, Grosvenor Road, City Road, and Millbank) pumped water into cast-iron pipes.The water was kept under pressure using hydraulic accumulators (big pistons weighted with heavy stones or iron).Pressure in the system: about 700 psi (48 bar) — very powerful.Distribution network: over 180 miles (290 km) of pipes under London streets at its peak.---What It PoweredWarehouses & Docks → cranes, hoists, capstans, lifts.Factories → presses, machinery needing steady power.Theatres → stage machinery (moving scenery, safety curtains).Public utilities → some early lifts in hotels and offices ran off it.Basically, anywhere you needed mechanical force, you could “plug in” to the hydraulic main instead of running your own engine.---DeclineBy the mid-20th century, electric motors became cheaper, more reliable, and easier to install.The hydraulic network shrank steadily.It finally closed in 1977.---What Happened AfterAfter closure, much of the pipe network remained underground.In the 1980s, parts of the system were reused to carry telecommunication cables (not water).Some of the pumping station buildings survive:Wapping Hydraulic Power Station → now an arts venue and restaurant.Rotherhithe Pumping Station still stands.---🌍 Why It’s SpecialIt was one of the world’s first city-wide utility networks, similar in concept to gas, electricity, and telephone.At its height, it powered 8,000+ machines across London.A piece of infrastructure that hid in plain sight, quietly powering much of London’s economy.If you liked this sort of historical nugget please like so I know what you guys like 👍 Please subscribe ☝️♥️
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 447
Paul Cook
When London was powered by water..
The London Hydraulic Power Network
Origins
Built in the late 19th century to supply high-pressure water for industry.
Operated by the London Hydraulic Power Company (LHPC), established in 1883.
It replaced countless small steam engines and hand-powered systems in factories, warehouses, theatres, and even private homes.
---
How It Worked
Central pumping stations (at places like Wapping, Rotherhithe, Grosvenor Road, City Road, and Millbank) pumped water into cast-iron pipes.
The water was kept under pressure using hydraulic accumulators (big pistons weighted with heavy stones or iron).
Pressure in the system: about 700 psi (48 bar) — very powerful.
Distribution network: over 180 miles (290 km) of pipes under London streets at its peak.
---
What It Powered
Warehouses & Docks → cranes, hoists, capstans, lifts.
Factories → presses, machinery needing steady power.
Theatres → stage machinery (moving scenery, safety curtains).
Public utilities → some early lifts in hotels and offices ran off it.
Basically, anywhere you needed mechanical force, you could “plug in” to the hydraulic main instead of running your own engine.
---
Decline
By the mid-20th century, electric motors became cheaper, more reliable, and easier to install.
The hydraulic network shrank steadily.
It finally closed in 1977.
---
What Happened After
After closure, much of the pipe network remained underground.
In the 1980s, parts of the system were reused to carry telecommunication cables (not water).
Some of the pumping station buildings survive:
Wapping Hydraulic Power Station → now an arts venue and restaurant.
Rotherhithe Pumping Station still stands.
---
🌍 Why It’s Special
It was one of the world’s first city-wide utility networks, similar in concept to gas, electricity, and telephone.
At its height, it powered 8,000+ machines across London.
A piece of infrastructure that hid in plain sight, quietly powering much of London’s economy.
If you liked this sort of historical nugget please like so I know what you guys like 👍
Please subscribe
☝️♥️
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 447