Here are 8 of the 12 ram pumps that I’ve found in Derbyshire - the other 4 have appeared in previous reports.
All of these appear between about 1880 and 1920, before the water mains reached rural areas.
The first few pumps are ‘Vulcans’, originally made by H.P. Vacher, who were later taken over by Green and Carter.
The remaining ones are by John Blake Ltd., recently also taken over by Green and Carter.
Most photos are phone.
a. Starting in a wooded area near Great Cubley, 2 or 3 rams are indicated - maps are usually not reliable about the number.
I found one in a deep pit and the possible site of second, both downhill from a couple of tanks which may have been reservoirs.
b. Another ram is shown in a field nearby and was still there, just about - looks like the farmer never got round to grubbing up the remains.
The first picture is the reservoir/filter tank with the ram just visible in the background.
c. A ram near Church Broughton, which may have served a large house.
This was in a sunken hut - the small brick structure in the background is the reservoir.
d. Now up north a bit for a couple of Blakes along the gorge formed by the River Wye in the Peak District.
There are lots of old industrial remains in this area which I’ve never really looked at.
The pumps could have been connected with these, or possibly just to get water up to the fields above - there are remains of a couple of waterwheel pumps in this area as well.
The first one is right beside the footpath in Miller’s Dale.
The second is below Monsal Dale Weir, pictures taken as it was getting dark one evening.
There is a third ram site, near the first but hidden in the undergrowth on the other side of the river.
However this one was heavily fortified with openings bricked up and additional metal shutters.
e. Still in the Peaks, a ram near the Ladybower reservoir, better known as a place for taking selfies in its overflow plugholes.
Here’s the pump, which predates the reservoir and probably pumped spring water to a farm - its label had fallen off so I propped it back up with a twig.
f. Back down south, one at the bottom a deep pit near Ashbourne, probably pumping to a farm.
There are a couple more in this area which have the same design of ladder and brickwork, but no ram.
Uphill is the reservoir and a little hut with some electrical scraps for a later pump.
g. Finally, another Blake hidden in the undergrowth near Yeaveley, probably serving a farm.
Following the pipework from a possible reservoir into a hedge…
…lead to another ram hut that looked a bit like drain.
Inside was a tired old pump propped up in the corner.
The taps on these things are made out of gunmetal and often still turn even when as far gone as this one.
The hit rate in Derbyshire was about average - ca. 30% chance of anything to find - although I expect there are some which I don’t know about because they aren’t shown on old maps.
All of these appear between about 1880 and 1920, before the water mains reached rural areas.
The first few pumps are ‘Vulcans’, originally made by H.P. Vacher, who were later taken over by Green and Carter.
The remaining ones are by John Blake Ltd., recently also taken over by Green and Carter.
Most photos are phone.
a. Starting in a wooded area near Great Cubley, 2 or 3 rams are indicated - maps are usually not reliable about the number.
I found one in a deep pit and the possible site of second, both downhill from a couple of tanks which may have been reservoirs.
b. Another ram is shown in a field nearby and was still there, just about - looks like the farmer never got round to grubbing up the remains.
The first picture is the reservoir/filter tank with the ram just visible in the background.
c. A ram near Church Broughton, which may have served a large house.
This was in a sunken hut - the small brick structure in the background is the reservoir.
d. Now up north a bit for a couple of Blakes along the gorge formed by the River Wye in the Peak District.
There are lots of old industrial remains in this area which I’ve never really looked at.
The pumps could have been connected with these, or possibly just to get water up to the fields above - there are remains of a couple of waterwheel pumps in this area as well.
The first one is right beside the footpath in Miller’s Dale.
The second is below Monsal Dale Weir, pictures taken as it was getting dark one evening.
There is a third ram site, near the first but hidden in the undergrowth on the other side of the river.
However this one was heavily fortified with openings bricked up and additional metal shutters.
e. Still in the Peaks, a ram near the Ladybower reservoir, better known as a place for taking selfies in its overflow plugholes.
Here’s the pump, which predates the reservoir and probably pumped spring water to a farm - its label had fallen off so I propped it back up with a twig.
f. Back down south, one at the bottom a deep pit near Ashbourne, probably pumping to a farm.
There are a couple more in this area which have the same design of ladder and brickwork, but no ram.
Uphill is the reservoir and a little hut with some electrical scraps for a later pump.
g. Finally, another Blake hidden in the undergrowth near Yeaveley, probably serving a farm.
Following the pipework from a possible reservoir into a hedge…
…lead to another ram hut that looked a bit like drain.
Inside was a tired old pump propped up in the corner.
The taps on these things are made out of gunmetal and often still turn even when as far gone as this one.
The hit rate in Derbyshire was about average - ca. 30% chance of anything to find - although I expect there are some which I don’t know about because they aren’t shown on old maps.
