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Claverton Pumping Station is a pumping station, located at Claverton in the English county of Somerset, which pumps water from the River Avon to the Kennet and Avon Canal using power from the flow of the Avon.
Description
At Claverton the canal is cut into the valley side 48 feet above the river. The pumping station is located in a pump house, built of Bath Stone, by Warleigh Weir on the river. The power is generated by a water wheel, 24 feet wide, 17 feet in diameter and with 48 wooden slats. At full power the wheel uses two tons of water per second and rotates five times a minute.
The water wheel drives gearing which increases the rotation to 16 revolutions per minute. Cranks driven by the gearing drive vertical connecting rods powering two 18 foot long cast iron rocking beams. Each rocking beam in turn drives an 18 inch diameter lift pump which take their supply from the river. Each pump stroke raises 50 gallons of water to the canal.
History
The pumping station was built by John Rennie and served continuously from 1813 until 1952. It then lay derelict until restored by a group of volunteers and re-opened in 1978.
There is a working model on the Kennett and Avon museum at Devizes.
Visiting
The pumping station is usually open on Wednesdays, Sundays and holidays in summer. The 'Claverton Pumping Station' website (below) carries admission details.
See also
External links
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