The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-03 00:00:00

PURIFICATION OF THE SERPENTINE.

The select committee appointed to consider the
best means of effectually cleansing the Serpentine
have consid• red the matters to them referred, and
have agreed to the following report :-
1. The sheet of water called the Serpentine was
derived from the Ranelagh-brook, which, after
springing in the Highgate-hills, ran along the Bays-
water-valley through Kensington-gardens and
Hyde-park, under the ancient Knightsbridge, into
the Thames.
2. The waters of this brook, having been checked
by the dam which was thrown across the lower end
of the Serpentine in the reign of King William 111.,
flowed into gravel pits and ponds which were adja-
! cent to their channel, and occupied their present
area in 1730. As population increased in the dis-
tricts tkrough which the brook passed it lost its
character of a brook, and became known as Raue-
lagh Sewer. Its current had become so offensive
in 1834, that am Act of Parliament was passed to
divert it from the Serpentine through a covered
channel, and since that period only the OVet flow,
in heavy or continuous rains, has reached the Ser.
pentine. The overflow is the main cause of the
complaints which have been made of the state of the
Serpentine, and constitutes such a nuisance as in
our opinion ought to be immediately abated. The
engineer of the Metropolitan Board of Works has
informed us that the Board are about to commence
works for the purpose of intercepting all this sew-
age, and that these works will be completed before
the end of the summer. When this is done the main
cause of the past deter:oration of the water will be
removed.
3. The mud which has been accumulating for so
many years covers the bottom of the lake to a thick-
ness of nine feet in some places. It is black and par-
tially semi-fluid, containing a large proportion of de-
caying organic matter, and is very prejudicial to those
who, by accidents in bathing, skating, or otherwise,
are immersed in it. The foulness of the Serpentine,
which render it so unfit to be the place of recreation
for the multitudes of all classes and from all places who
flock to the metropolis, is atti ibutable mainly to the
following causes:--The occasional admission of sew-
age, the contamination arising from putrifying mud,
the deposit of soot and other impurities of the Lon-
don atmosphere, the results of bathing, and the stag-
nation of the water.
4. The only correctives heretofore applied to
the evils arising from these impurities have been,—
the supply of a certain quantity of fresh water ob-
tained from springs in the lake itself, the rainfall
and water shed, and Chelsea Water Company. These,
however, have not been sufficient either for remov-
ing obnoxious exhalations, or for clearing the water
of confervse and other vegetable productions ; and
during the summer months of 1858 and 1859 a
quantity of quicklime was thrown into the water,
by which, for a time at least, the evils complained
of were diminished.
5. Several plans and estimates have been sub-
mitted to the Government for remedying this evil
condition. Sir John Rennie, in September, 1848,
proposed to remove the mud, and to obtain a sup-
ply of fresh water from the water companies,
or from the Brent or Verulam ; Mr. Mann proposed
in November, 1848, to cover the mud with concrete
in the manner which was subsequently adopted
with regard to St. James's Lake in 1857. Messrs.
Easton and Amos, in December, 1848, proposed also
to cover the mud with concrete, and they submitted
another project in April, 1857, for supplying water
to the Serpentine from a well in Duck Island. In
1858 Mr. Page was instructed by the First Com-
missioner of Works to investigate the question, and
in 1859 a plan was prepared by him which he
stated would put the Serpentine into a clean and
sanitary condition, and maintain it in that state,
and also render it less dangerous to bathers and
skaters. This plan received the sanction of the
Government, and was submitted by them to Parlia-
ment. Owing, however, to a change of Govern-
ment before the civil estimates were voted the opi-
nion of Parliament was not taken upon it, and Mr.
Hawlassley was requested, on the 7th of July, 1859,
to prepare a scheme, which he submitted on the
15th of July, and which was adopted by the Firs
Commissioner of Works.

6. A sum of £17,000 was voted by Parliament
for its execution, and tenders were accepted on the
25th of November, 1859; and, although the works
have made considerable progress, they are as yet
incomplete,
7. This plan was intended to purify the water
by filtration, without dealing with the mud, and
without any increase in the supply of fresh water.
It aimed at removing the fibrous filaments of con-
fervm, the naviculx, and other lower orders of aqua-
tic vegetation which occur in still water containing
free carbonic acid or bicarbonate of lime, and which
produce a disagreeable appearance in the water.
8. This object was to be secured by causing the
Serpentine to circiflate through filter beds of sand,
so that a 30th part of its whole bulk might pass
daily through the filter during the six hottest
months, a 60th during four of the colder months,
leaving it at rest the remaining two months of the
year.
9. This plan was recommended for its efficiency
and economy, as enabling a larger quantity of water
to be purified in this way than by any other means. I
But against this it has been urged that, in compa-
rison with other schemes, its results will not be
worth its cost ; that the cleansing of filter beds close
to public walks is likely to be offensive ; that it
will become unnecessary whenever a copious sup-
ply of water is otained, and that the works neces-
sary for its execution will be prejudicial to the
appearance of that portion of Kensington-gardens
where they are situated.
10. Although river water drunk in towns is com-
monly passed through filters of sand on its way to
the houses to which it is distributed, and although
filtration is also used to purify water for some
manufactures, yet no instance has been mentioned
to us of its having been employed for the purpose
of keeping a large body of water in a permanent
state of purity; and we have received much evi-
dence as to facts which might guide us in coming
to a conclusion upon the probabilities of success
which may attend such an experiment.
11. The proposed filtration is not stated to be
such as can remove impurities held in,solution ; and,
considering that the object in view is not only to
provide an ornamental piece of water, but a bath in
which many more than those who, in the present
repulsive condition of the water, take 260,000
baths yearly, may seek health aid recreation,
your committee are of opinion that the
common mode of supplying •ti, lake with
fresh water is preferable to the' new and in-
genious contrivance of refiltering continuously even
a larger annual quantity than can be supplied from
a well or a river.

12. If a supply of fresh water sufficient not only
to replace the waste, but to provide for a continual
change, were impossible to be obtained, in the
absence of another alternative, filtration might be
justifiable; but your committee believe that such a
supply of fresh water may be obtained from the
springs within or contiguous to the Serpentine, from
an enlargement of the water shed of the park and
Kensington-gardens, and from other sources which
have been pointed out to the committee. Some of
this supply may be obtained by means of simple
gravitation, at a small expense.
13. Conflicting evidence has been given as to
the quantity and quality of the water that can be
pumped from the well in Duck Island, but Mr.
Hawkesley states in his evidence that he entertains
no doubt that a considerable supply of water can
be procured in the neighbourhood of his works, and
that an increased amouut of water could be drawn
into the Serpentine by an extension of the surface
drainage of the park and Kensington-gardens.
14. We have had, however, a more embarrassing
task than to decide merely whether Mr. Hawkes-
ley's plan is the best for effectually cleansing the
Serpentine. We have had to consider whether that
plan, recommended by great engineering authority,
adopted by the Executive Government, sanctioned
by Parliament, and nearly
.approaching its comple-
tion, is so unsatisfactory in its object and means
that it ought to be arrested, even in its present
stage of advancement, and the work which has been
performed diverted to other purposes. After much
patient investigation, we have arrived reluctantly
at the conclusion that the proposed filtration will
not be effectual for the desired object, and that this
cleansing process ought not to be carried on in one
of the most beautiful spots of Kensington-gardens.
We recommend, therefore, that the project of filtra-
tion be abandoned, and that the best available supply
of fresh water be poured in to such an extent as to
produce some continual flow.
15. Whenever the Metropolitan Board have com-
pleted their works for the diversion of sewage from
the Serpentine measures should be taken for ren-
dering the bed of the lake clean and hard. We
ve not come to any conclusion as to the extent
which the mud ought to be removed, hardened,
or covered, nor as to the relative merits of gravel
or concrete as a covering, nor as to the expediency
of burning it, nor as to the depth which would best
promote the convenience and safety of bathers and
skaters and the
purity of the water ; but
we are of
opinion that the present condition of the bed of
the Serpentine absolutely requires amendment.

APRIL FOOLS IN LIVERPOOL-4)R Sunday
morning
• official-looking fficial-looking document was placarded on the
walls of Liverpool, calling upon the 'Volunteer Corps to
assemble opposite the Lime-street station on the arrival of
the trainfrom London, in order to meet the Duke of Cam-
bridge, who would pass through the town en route for
Dublin. Several volunteers in full attire, and a host of
4. civilians," were duly in attendance at theprescribed hour,
and after waiting patiently for some time they at last dis-
covered that they had been hoaxed, and dispersed in various
states of temper.

2HE NAVY.

At St. Helena, on the 10th of February, a brigan-
tine, name unknown, arrived in charge of Mr.
Hamilton, midshipman, of the screw steam corvette
Archer, 13, Capt. Richard-W. Coartenay. She was
seized off Lung° Bonda, January 30, when her crew
were so reduced by fever that they asked to be re-
moved to the Archer for medical treatment. On
the 13th a bark captured by the paddlewheel
steamvessel Triton, 3, Lieut.-Commander Robert H.
Burton, was condemned by the judge as a prize.
When captured she had 453 male and 141 female
negroes on board. When condemned there were
398 men and 114 women ; all the others died in the
interim.
About 150 men from the flagship Impregnable,
in Ilamoaze, and an officer and 40 men belonging to
the screw steamship Conqueror, 101, Capt. Sotheby,
C. 8., Plymouth, were sent on Sunday to assist the
hired Government transport Havering, stranded on
Batten Ridge. The paddlevateel steamtug Con-
fiance and a lighter with an anchor were also in
attendance. Her yards and topmasts have been
sent down. When the Havering parted her chains
her topgallantmasts were across ; this is uaual on
board merchant ships in the Sound, although at
the same time everything is made snug on board
ships of war, and possibly steam is up to meet ap•
parent contingencies. The difference in the com-
parative strength of the crews may account for the
fact, but there is no doubt that less injury would
arise to merchant shipping if more precaution in
this respect could be observed.
The Siren, 16, sailing sloop, Commander G. M.
Balfour, arrived at Spithead yesterday, shortly
after noon, from Pernambuco, which port she left
on the Ist of March. She brings home two naval
engineers from her Majesty's ships Buzzard and
Oberon, who have been tried by court-martial on
the station, and a few naval invalids. Mr. Graves,
late senior lieutenant of the Siren, has also come
home a prisoner on board her. The Siren has been
in commission four years and eight months on the
Bth inst. ; and during that time has been com-
manded successively by four different officers--
Commander Otway, by whom she was commis-
sioned; Acting Commander Buckle; Commander
Selwyn, and her present commander, G. M. Balfour.
The funeral of the late Commander James Hunt,
of her Majesty's troop steamer MegLera, took place
yesterday in the burialground attached to the Royal
Navy Hospital at Haslar. During the time the
ceremony was taking place the men of-war in
Portsmouth harbour lowered their ensigns to
" half staff."

Mr. Grant, late paymaster of her Majesty's ship
Britannia, will be attached to the suite of his
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales during the
forthcoming visit of his Royal Highness to Canada.
Rear-Admiral Hon. F. T. Pelham, ons of the
Lords of the Admiralty, visited the dockyard at
Portsmouth yesterday.
The Bacc!ante, 51, screw steamer, at Portsmouth,
is hourly expected to be commissioned by Capt.
Mackenzie (late of her Majesty's ship Excellent),
for the flag of Rear-Admiral of the White Sir
Thomas Maitland, K.C.B. Lieut. Trolloppe, it is
reported, will be the Flag Lieutenant.

The Victoria and Albert, Royal paddle yacht, got
up steam yesterday in the steam basin, at Ports-
mouth, to test joints, &c., on the completion of the
fitting of her superheating steam apparatus. She
is expected to start to-morrow on a trip as far as
Lisbon or Gibraltar, to give her superheating gear
a full trial.

The Vulture, 6, paddle, Capt. G. Parker, is
stripping at the middle harbour buoy in Ports-
mouth harbour, and returning stores, &c., in readi-
ness for paying off.

In the steam basin at Portsmouth the Victoria,
121, screw three-decker, is complete in her engineer
department, and will get up steam in about six or
eight days. The Prince of Wales, 131, screw three-
decker, has her boilers and screw-shafting in. The
Duncan, 101, screw two-decker, has her engines and
boilers in, and is having her coal bunkers built up.
The Immortalite, 51, screw frigate, has also her en-
gines and boilers on board, and has only to add her
coal bunkers before getting up steam, which she is
expected to do in about three weeks' time. The Sutlej,
51, screw, has her boilers and screw-shafting in, and
hands are employed completing the beds for the re-
ception of her engines. The Nelson, 91, screw two-
decker, has all her machinery on boat d, and is ex-
pected to be ready for her screw trial about the 17th
inst. The Rinaldo, 17, screw corvette, has her screw
shafting in and screw shipped, and will commence
taking on board her boilers and machinery in a few
days.

The Ariadne, 26, screw, Capt. E. W. Vansittart,
is awaiting orders at Spithead. On her recent
cruise to the westward under canvass she experi-
enced very strong westerly and north-westerly
breezes, reducing the canvass to close-reefed topsails
and reefed courses. The ship behaved remarkably
well throughout the cruise; was always under per-
fect command of her helm, tacked beautifully in
heavy cross seas, was very easy, and gave every
promise of being fast under her canvass. Three-
fourths of the Ariadne's crew are for the first time
serving on board a man-of-war.

The following appointments were made yesterday
at the Admiralty :—Commander S. H. Henderson,
to the Megfera ; Charles R. Forrest, mate, to the
Donegal ; W. B. Walpole, naval cadet, to the Con-
queror; Samuel Harrison, promoted to the rank of
second-class assist.-engineer in the London ; Wm.
Smith, promoted to the rank of second-class assist.-
engineer in the Grappler ; Allen Aitkin, promoted
to the rank of second-class assist.-engineer, to the
Melpomene; Wm. Inglis (a),promoted to the rank
of second-class assist.-engineer in the Hydra; Jas.
Jessop, promoted to the rank of second-class assist.-
engineer in the Magicienne ; Hervey Benbow, pro-
moted to the rank of acting second-class assist.-
engineer in the Intrepid ; Wm. Henry Croxall, pro-
moted and appointed second-class assist.-engineer,
to the Asia, for charge of machinery of the Philo-
mel ; Thomas Willmott, acting third-class assist.-
engineer, to the Fisgard, for service in the Widgeon.