HISTORY IN WOOD DUO UP FROM MUD

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1937, Page 4

HISTORY IN WOOD DUO UP FROM MUD

Relics of Old London were unearthed recently on the site of the “News Chronicle” garage and printing works at Commercial Wharf, Commercial Road, Southwark.

A workman digging in the spongy mud 14 feet below the surface struck his spade against a hollowed-out elm tree, and further excavation yielded three other hollow trunks. Part of Water Supply. An official who is expert in digging up Old London, said; “These trunks, all of elm, chosen because it does not easily decay, evidently formed part of a main water supply. They have lain here for probably 200 or 300 years, and, having been hermetically sealed in the mud, are in a good state of preservation.

“They are similar to the old water conduits found in recent years on both sides of the river bank. The bore bears traces of having been burned out by hot shot or a cannon ball, which in those days was considered an easier method than drilling.” The longest pipe is about 8 feet and the other three about 5 feet, with a diameter of 1 foot 9 inches. Wooden Piles Also. Several wooden piles of beech have also been discovered at the wharf. They may have provided the foundation of a riverside quay. Seven years ago a hollow tree which had apparently been used as a well shaft was unearthed on the same site. It was found in an upright position 20 feet below the ground, resting i cn the bed of a forgotten under-! ground stream. ! The New River Canal, which j brought water to Lnodon from the I I Hertfordshire springs, was constructed j in 1609-13, and thousands of elms were j cut down to supply the wooden pipes, j