Wondering what a grand Victorian opening day looked like? Crossness Pumping Station’s inauguration was filled with crowds, speeches, royals, and more.
The official invitation to the opening of Crossness Pumping Station. (1865, Crossness Pumping Station Archives)
On the 4th of April 1865, five hundred guests (all men) attended the magnificent event including the guest of honour, the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII). He was accompanied by John Thwaites (chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works) and Crossness’s chief engineer, Joseph Bazalgette. The royal party arrived via the Thames River on a steamboat, while other guests arrived on a specially arranged rail service from Charing Cross.
As the finely dressed visitors made their way to the Cathedral of Sewage, their first stop was a tour of the reservoir, where the untreated sewage was held before being pumped by the beam engines. Described as a ‘fairy grotto’ lit by oil lamps, guests explored the cavernous space but only stayed for a short while, as the smell proved to be a bit too strong. The crowd moved to the Valve House, where they were treated to a speech by Joseph Bazalgette.
Then it was onto the main event in the Beam Engine House. Surrounded by the intricate painted ironwork, guests watched as the Prince of Wales turned on the beam engine named after him – the Albert Edward. There was a short pause and the mighty engine rumbled to life to loud cheers.
But the day was not over yet- the group was treated to a five course banquet in the Fitting Room. While the original menu has been lost to history, turtle soup, a Victorian delicacy, was served. As the sound of the Royal Marines band filled the air, guests clinked glasses to several toasts celebrating Crossness Pumping Station’s extraordinary achievement. Overall, it was a momentous opening day at Crossness!
Sources:City Press, April 8, 1865
London Evening Standard, April 5, 1865