The Express.
London, England, 1862-11-10 00:00:00

THE EMBANKMENT OF THE THAMES.

Mr. BazatorrrE, the chief engineer, presented the fol-
lowing further report on the embankment for the south side
of the River Thames :—" In my preliminary report upon
the Thames embankment, of the 15th ult., I suggested for
your consideration the principle upon which an embank-
ment might be advantageously constructed on the south aide
of the river, between London and Westminster bridges, and
the outlay thereof defrayed at a moderate cost to the public.
1 now submit, pursuant to your instructions, a plan showing
the line of such embankment which I recommend. This
would form a continuation of the line of the new embank-
ment in front of Mr. Alderman Humpbery's wharf at
Landon-bridge, commencing on the west side of St. Mary
Ovary's Dock, and continued in a curved line to the south
abetment of Southwark-bridge, and thence to the south
abutment of Blackfriars-bridge. Up to this point
the embankment would not encroach upon the
river further than is requisite to connect the
present irregular line of frontage into a regular line, and to
re-face the present defective wharves. It is moreover pro-
posed to cut off a small portion of the wharf wall which
now projects into the river beyond the abutment of South-
wark-bridge, and there form the narrowest gorge of the
stream, and so far to widen the river at this pinching poiut.
From Blackfriars-bridge the line of the proposed embank-
ment gradually extends into the river as the river widens,
until it reaches the first pier of Waterloo-bridge and the
new Charing-cross Railway-bridge, from which it passes in
a line nearly parallel with the present foreshore of the river
to the south embankment of Westminster-bridge. The
present docks would all be thus maintained and lengthened,
and about 13 acres of land would be added to the wharves.
The river is at the same time so wide opposite the localities
where the embankment extends into it, that there is, if
desirable, abundance of room for the storeage of timber upon
its foreshore as at present, and the value of the land re-
claimed ought to refund a considerable portion of the cost of
reclaiming it. In my preliminary report I estimated the
coat of this work at 250,0001 , but as it would be prudent
to provide for safer foundations than I at that time anti-
cipated, and allowing for contingencies, I now estimate it at
350,0001. The embankment recommended by the Royal
Commissioner, between Westminster and Chelsea Bridges
is estimated to cost 1,100,0001., inclusive of compensation.
Probably the mat useful part of this scheme consist, in the
formation of a roadway from Westminster-bridge to the
Palace New-road, to a point near Vaux-street, whence six or
seven important lines of thoroughfare diverge in different
directions. To accomplish the object I propose to construct
• roadway similar to that recommended by the Royal Com-
missioners up to Lambeth-bridge, but not extending
quite so far into the river, and to form a junc-
tion with the bridge at its southern abutment.
This line would form a better approach to the
bridge, and would not interfere with lie construction,
SS the line recommended by the Royal Commissioners must
necessarily do. I propose to terminate the embankment a
little above the bridge, and to cut off the projecting point
of land, and thus widen the river at its narrowest gorge op-
posite Millbank Penitentiary. Hence I propose to continue
the roadway in nearly a straight line to the point near
to Vauxhall station, at which the roads above referred to
converge. The embankment and roadway above this point
are of lees importance, and might for the present with leas
public inconvenience be postponed. Those premises above
Vauxhall-bridge which are now subjected to Hooding at
high tides can be secured against this by raising their wharf
walls three or four feet higher at a very small cost to the
owners thereof. The estimated cost of the works above
Westminster-bridge herein recommended is 2:4,0004,
which, added to the cost of tbehnibanktuent from London to
Westminster-bridge (viz., 350,0001.) makes a total of 600,0001.
for works, and leaves a margin of 500,0004 upon the estimate
of the Royal Commissioners (viz., 1,100,0001.) to cover com-
pensations, an amount which, without having gone into
the matter in detail, I believe will be found to be ample for
the purpose. I have appended to this re?ort a table, show-
ing what the width of the river will be at various points
between London and Vauxhall Bridces, after the embank-
ments have been completed.—J. W. Bezarorrrr, Engineer."
Mr. CARPNALL moved that this report be printed and
circulated.
Mr. DOULTON said he should give the scheme his decided
qipneitioo, as it would spoil an excellent plan proposed by
the Royal Commissioners.
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR was also of opinion that it was a plan
that required to be fully entered into.
The motion was put and agreed to, and the !abject was
referred to the Works and Improvements Committee.

NEW STREET TO THE NORTHERN EMBANKMENT.
The CHAIRMAN submitted to the board the necessity of
applying to parliament for powers to make a new street
from Blacktrutrs-bridge to the Mansion-house, according to
the report of the Royal Commissioners of IS6I, and u to
giving orders for all necessary steps being taken by the
solicitor, parliamentary agents, and officers, with a view to
a bill being presented to parliament is the ensuing pension.
The subject was referred to a committee, and ordered to
be taken into consideration on a future day.
Mr. BAZALGaTTE then read the report on the progress of
the main drainage works, which was ordered to be printed.
The routine business having been disposed of, the board

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