Monument record MDO6686 - Water Turbine House, Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth

Water turbine house 1856/7. A low head jet reaction turbine connecting to two double acting ram pumps built by Thomas Hawksley , and manufactured by D Cook of Glasgow in 1857, was installed in a purpose built single storey stone pumphouse of 1856. Originally one of a pair, the pump is now probably unique and although disused is still maintained by Weymouth Water Works in good condition. Originally drew water from a spring to the North, where a small dam was built to form a basin so that water could be piped to the station, (part of a funnel from IK Brunel's SS Great Eastern was installed to act as a strainer and settling chamber). Water was pumped to the newly built Preston Reservoir near Chalbury Hill. In 1869 the station was expanded and steam-power installed. Further expansion in 1882, 1899, 1901 and 1934. Converted to electric pumps in 1958 when the steam plant was broken up.

SY 707838. Sutton Poyntz Turbine House. A low head jet reaction turbine connecting to two double acting ram pumps built by D Cook of Glasgow in 1857 was installed in a purpose built single storey stone pumphouse of 1856. Originally one of a pair, the pump is now probably unique and although disused is still maintained by Weymouth Water Works in good condition. <1-4>

Recorded by NRIM. Recorded by D Young, 05-Apr-1974. <3>

Full description. <5>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1973, Recommendations of CBA Panel on Industrial Monuments Dorset, 2 (Monograph). SWX2360.

<2> Department of the Environment, DOE (IAM) Ancient Monuments Record Form, 15.1.74 (Index). SDO17347.

<3> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, National Record of Industrial Monuments (NRIM), DO16 (Index). SDO17399.

<4> Department of the Environment, 1978, Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monuments of England (Vol 2), 83 (Monograph). SWX1687.

<5> English Heritage, 2000, Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment, Step 3 Report: The Water and Sewage Industry (Unpublished document). SDO18671.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 454466 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 22 2023 3:23PM