196 Modem Drainage Problems 



reasonable size; the smaller unit is more economical for normal use, while 

 the possibility of duplicating the plant allows for additional safety. 



An outhne of pumping installation in the Littleport and Downham 

 district, a well-managed Board, gives some idea of the constant struggle 

 to maintain internal drainage. The district has a taxable area of 26,000 

 acres, but the total area drained is of the order of 35,000 acres. It includes 

 approximately 26 rrules of drains. The district was among the first to adopt 

 steam-driven pumps. A 30 h.p. engine and scoop-wheel was originally 

 erected on the Ten-Mile River bank; this was increased to 80 h.p. in 1843. 

 A similar engine had been installed on the Hundred Foot River bank in , 

 1829, seven miles away. Both these were condensing beam-engines, the \ 

 steam pressure being 15 lb. per sq. in., and the scoop-wheels about 41 ft. 

 in diameter. Owing to the lowering surface, these scoop-wheels were 

 increased in size to 50 ft. in 1882, and they weighed 75 tons each. In 1912, 

 at the Ten Mile station, the Commissioners installed two double-acting 

 open compound condensing engines of 200 h.p. directly coupled to 48 in. 

 Allen pumps, each with a capacity of 150 tons per minute. While in 1914, 

 at the Hundred Foot River station, a 400 h.p. steam-engine was installed 

 to drive a 50 in. Gwynne pump handling 212 tons per minute against a 

 total head of 21 ft. This was supplemented in 1925 by a Mirrlees 

 Diesel engine with a 36 in. Gwynne pump lifting no tons per minute. 

 Finally, in 1937, the Ten Mile set was further improved; 340 h.p. 

 Allen engines replaced the older unit, but the existing pump casing was 

 maintained. 



Irregular surface lowering may cause an entire change in the direction 

 of the drainage. That has been the fate of the Methwold and Feltwell 

 Board. To aid the original drainage tlirough Sam's Cut, a pump was 

 installed in 1883 where the cut joined the Ten Mile River at Hunt's Sluice.^ 

 In 19 1 3, it was felt advisable to erect an additional pump. This was the first 

 crude oil engine in the Fenland, and was installed by the Campbell Gas 

 Engine Co. By 1928, however, this ancient system had to be abandoned, 

 and the drainage was taken across country to the River Wissey. A Mirrlees 

 engine and an Axial flow pump (another newcomer) was installed, and 

 this has now been supplemented in 1938 by two AUen engines and pumps, 

 developing, between them, a total of 260 h.p. and capable of pumping 

 170 tons per minute. This improved drainage has necessitated a deepening 

 and widening of the drains, which now flow in an opposite direction to 

 the original layout. Certain drains and culverts have had to be abandoned 

 because they can no longer function owing to the lowering of the peat 

 surface. 



' See p. 189 above. 



