Report - Osmaston Water Wheel Pump (Derbyshire, Jul, 2021)

[urbanchemist]

One of the larger water wheel pumps I’ve come across.

It’s a listed structure and was probably built in the 1840s to provide water for Osmaston Manor.

The manor itself was a rambling old pile with some Liverpool connections which was eventually demolished in the 1960s, https://houseandheritage.org/2016/01/20/osmaston-manor/.

You know you’ve made it when your gaff has an elk pen.

The site of the old manor is now used as a wedding venue with views across the lake, at the far end of which is this pump.

Pictures are mostly phone.

Water no longer flows over the wheel but is diverted down a chute on the right.

The wheel drove a reciprocating pump with three cylinders.

On the right of the picture below is a large iron ballast tank at the corner of the wall, and on the left a clutch mechanism for engaging the pump.

I didn’t notice a makers name on the pump or wheel, but some of the pipework at least was made by T Adams of Manchester - no info about this manufacturer that I can find.

 

[Mikeymutt]

That is stunning. The whole set up is beautiful. You have inspired me with these little finds and I am awaiting for some replica old OS maps at the min.

 

[Down and beyond]

That is a cracker and beautifully cast it is ! I bet that cost some serious money in its day !
Picture 3 if you include the map is fabulous, it reminds me of a gold dredging barge !

did you walk up to the boat house / saw mill area ?

 

[tigger]

One of the only things on the main part of the estate which doesn't look like a Swiss building.
T (homas) Adams had a small engineering works at Gorton. Little known as apart from a single good design for a non-return valve he had no commercial success in the wider field (where most engineers did).
If you didn't look at the water-powered sawmill that was (I say was because the estate were going to strip the interior so it could be used as accomodation for wedding guests...no idea if that ever happened though). Even if modified internally the exterior is postcard-pretty!

 

[mingerocket]

Very nice

 

[urbanchemist]

did you walk up to the boat house / saw mill area ?

One of the only things on the main part of the estate which doesn't look like a Swiss building.
T (homas) Adams had a small engineering works at Gorton. Little known as apart from a single good design for a non-return valve he had no commercial success in the wider field (where most engineers did).
If you didn't look at the water-powered sawmill that was (I say was because the estate were going to strip the interior so it could be used as accomodation for wedding guests...no idea if that ever happened though). Even if modified internally the exterior is postcard-pretty!

Thanks for the info about Adam's valve.

I didn't look at the sawmill - someone who lives a bit closer might want to see if there's anything left inside - looks like it's practically on a public footpath.

 

[HughieD]

That. Is. Fantastic. This is real exploring. As always, top notch stuff @urbanchemist

 

[jezzyboo]

good stuff love water wheels

 

[Calamity Jane]

Agree with all above. What a stunner. I was captured by your opening line "One of the larger water wheel pumps I’ve come across. " Then that opening shot, and the ones that followed. Exploring the forgotten at its best. So so beautiful. Wouldn't you just love to wake up to that view in summer every day.

That wheel is amazing, its housing solid, so rustic and amazing in its build. Loved this.

 

[Cuuvin]

Aces, Mate !!! Amazed the pikeys haven't stripped it bare. Got the angles well covered, and I'd say, keep using that ol' phone!

 

[ikkdjct]

That is a really nice find and stunning pictures.

 

[tumbles]

Awesome stuff, as per, UC

 

[Chris244]

Hats off to you. A brilliant report.

 

[LordLagos]

Ahoy-hoy, I’ve just joined this here website to look at all of UrbanChemist’s work. I found one of these pumps while rambling through a field as a kid on a school outing. There was a collapsing shed around the whole thing but there was still a bit of paint on the wheel and pumps. Anyway, being a kid, I didn’t think to not the location down and go back for proper scout. As such I’ve been looking for it for about 32 years now and this fellow UC and his wonderful pictures are the closest thing I’ve come to finding the thing. So I thank you very much. Really love your output old bean. Keep up the fantastic work!