Found in the study: A folded piece of high-grade paper, embossed, neatly folded, carefully handwritten…

Charles Henry Driver. FRIBA
London Metropolitan Board of Works
Spring Gardens
Tuesday, 29th April 1978

Dear Charles,

I really enjoyed our work together for Sir Joseph Bazalgette on the dolphin lamp standard, and as discussed the pumping stations at Abbey Mills and Crossness, are innovative facilities and have reduced disease, such as deadly cholera epidemics, by moving the raw sewage and polluted effluent downstream of London for discharge into the river. I am amazed by our project, to not only provide a new roadway and riverside walkway, but also incorporated an underground railway and a major sewer system. Whilst embankment has helped prevent flooding and improved the overall infrastructure of central London, I believe certain mistakes could have been prevented.

The construction process was fraught with dangers and challenges. Workers faced hazardous conditions, including the risk of drowning, exposure to toxic gases, and the physical strain of manual labour. The embankment’s construction involved extensive excavation, the use of heavy machinery, and the handling of large quantities of stone and other materials, all of which posed significant risks to our labourers. The embankment project also required the construction of underground tunnels and sewers, which exposed workers to the risk of cave-ins and collapses. The confined spaces and the use of explosives for excavation added to the dangers. Despite these risks, our workers persevered, driven by the promise of employment and the necessity of the project for the city’s health and infrastructure. We have to do better, given our skills and lessens from experience.

However…I want to privately discuss the tragic incident occurred when around six hundred and forty people drowned in water that had been filled with sewage discharged from our pumping stations. This incident highlights the perilous nature of the work and the severe consequences of accidents during the construction process. The combination of water and sewage created a deadly environment, leading to fatalities not only from drowning but also from the ingestion of contaminated water. Here are the findings you requested, and whilst I am not a physician, I have dabbled in the sciences, and in speaking to others with some medical authority, the deaths from caused by several illnesses, including:

  1. Gastroenteritis: Caused by pathogens led to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
  2. Infectious Hepatitis: A viral infection that affects the liver, transmitted through ingestion of contaminated water.
  3. Enteric Typhoid: Caused by bacteria leading to high fever, abdominal pain, and other severe symptoms.
  4. Dysentery: An infection causing severe diarrhoea with blood, often due to Shigella bacteria.
  5. Cholera: A bacterial infection causing severe diarrhoea and dehydration, often spread through contaminated water.
  6. “Weil’s disease” or “Rat Catcher’s Yellows”: A bacterial infection that can cause severe illness, including kidney damage, and liver failure.

These illnesses are typically spread through ingestion of contaminated water or direct contact with sewage, leading to severe health consequences and, in many cases, death. Many are only recently discovered or written up in papers, but all are the current. I articulate this because these are also illnesses that our project now prevents further, including drowning by flooding.

My work for the London Metropolitan Board of Works to light the new Thames embankments with electric lights has now concluded. I really enjoyed working on George Vulliamy’s “dolphin” design. As you know George been the superintending architect to the Metropolitan Board of Works, and he designed all the benches for the embankments with cast iron ends in the form of sphinxes and camels, inspired by Cleopatra’s Needle, which I also like his designs, although it does not involve my skillset.

As our good friend Sir Bazalgette was the Board’s chief engineer and selected Vulliamy’s lamp design but of course as you know I have voiced my dislike of the use electric Yablochkov candles lamp, which is inefficient for purpose, and there are rumours in certain circles that they will replace them with gas. Alas our friend Sir Bazalgette was mentioned a great deal on the lamp project, and during a recent catch up with our colleagues, I have heard that certain factions in Parliament are considering the possibility of yet another enquiry into the deaths of all those people in the flooding. Due to various allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption I am of the belief that they will soon conduct inquiries to investigate these issues and ensure proper governance.

I confess that whilst the event was terrible, and you and I first saw firsthand the horrific effects, and the piles of all those bodies, (a sight that will never leave us), it is important that you ensure that all records clearly show our documented objections, and attempt to prevent what occurred and to assist Sir Bazalgette in any way we should things progress. I will be on another private assignment for a brief period for a friend in the military and may be out of contact for a week or so, but when I return to London, perhaps we can catch up further and discuss.

Yours truly, Jack

A handwritten copy of the letter above