History Extra Podcast: Episode Summary – "The Great Stink: Everything You Wanted to Know"

In this engaging episode of the History Extra Podcast, hosted by Rosemary Ashton and Spencer Mizzen, listeners are transported back to mid-19th century London to explore one of the city's most infamous environmental crises—the Great Stink of 1858. Through a meticulous discussion, the hosts unravel the complex interplay of public health, urbanization, and engineering that characterized this pivotal moment in London's history.

Introduction to the Great Stink

Rosemary Ashton: The episode kicks off with Rosemary posing a fundamental question about the Great Stink, setting the stage for a deep dive into the event's historical context.

Spencer Mizzen: Spencer explains that the Great Stink was a direct result of an exceptionally hot summer in 1858, where temperatures soared to unprecedented highs of 35°C (94.5°F) on June 16th (03:06). This heat exacerbated the already dire situation of the River Thames serving as an open sewer, overwhelmed by human sewage. The unbearable stench halted river activities, including tourism and daily life for those living near the unembanked banks of the Thames.

Public Outcry and Political Scandal

The conversation shifts to how the Great Stink became a national scandal, with the media and public demanding immediate government action.

Spencer Mizzen: He highlights the role of The Times newspaper in pressuring the government. The persistent coverage and public letters to the editor, including from influential figures like barristers near the Thames, amplified the urgency (04:34). A notable moment occurred on June 30th, when prominent politicians, including Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone, were visibly affected by the smell during a parliamentary committee meeting by the Thames, as reported by The Times (06:02). This public demonstration of discomfort by high-ranking officials underscored the severity of the crisis.

Cholera Outbreaks and Misunderstood Public Health

Rosemary Ashton: She introduces the connection between the Great Stink and the cholera outbreaks that plagued London during this period.

Spencer Mizzen: He delves into the misconception of the time that cholera was spread through miasma—poisonous air—linking it directly to the sewage-contaminated Thames (08:51). The episode recounts the significant cholera outbreaks of 1831, 1848, and 1854, emphasizing the pivotal role of Dr. John Snow. Snow's groundbreaking work in Soho demonstrated the connection between contaminated water and cholera, leading to the closure of the Broad Street pump and a dramatic drop in cholera cases (09:10). Tragically, John Snow passed away on the hottest day of the Great Stink, June 16th, 1858, before his theories were fully accepted (12:16).

Michael Faraday's Advocacy and Public Engagement

Spencer Mizzen: He recounts Michael Faraday’s critical letter to The Times on July 9th, 1855, where Faraday condemned the River Thames's state and predicted dire consequences if the situation remained unaddressed (09:10). This letter was immortalized in a Punch magazine cartoon, portraying Faraday handing his identity card to Father Thames, a mythological figure emerging from the polluted river (14:58). The vivid imagery and public discourse galvanized further support for addressing the Thames's pollution.

Joseph Bazalgette: The Hero of London's Sanitation

Rosemary Ashton: She steers the conversation towards the central figure of the episode—Joseph Bazalgette.

Spencer Mizzen: Introducing Bazalgette as the chief engineer of the Metropolitan Board of Works, Spencer outlines his visionary approach to solving London's sewage crisis. Despite facing significant opposition and bureaucratic inertia, Bazalgette championed an ambitious plan to construct extensive sewers beneath the Thames (20:13).

Overcoming Opposition and Implementing the Sewers

Spencer Mizzen: He describes the hurdles Bazalgette encountered, including competing engineering proposals and resistance from local vestries and private water companies reluctant to bear the costs. Benjamin Disraeli's decisive action in July 1858, presenting a compelling bill to Parliament (23:35), was instrumental in passing legislation that empowered Bazalgette to proceed (23:42).

Joseph Bazalgette’s Plan: Bazalgette proposed building two massive brick-sewn tunnels on either side of the Thames, designed to intercept and transport sewage away from the river to outfalls in the tidal estuary. His plan included the creation of the Victoria Embankment, which not only improved sanitation but also enhanced London's urban landscape by providing walkways and reducing traffic congestion along the Strand (26:11).

Construction, Challenges, and Legacy

Spencer Mizzen: Discussing the execution of Bazalgette’s project, Spencer notes the immense scale and technical challenges, such as maintaining adequate slope for sewage flow and navigating existing infrastructure like railways and canals. Originally estimated to take 5.5 years and cost £2 million (30:05), the project ultimately spanned nearly 13 years and cost between £3-4 million (30:16). Despite these overruns, the sewers remarkably alleviated the public health crisis, effectively ending major cholera outbreaks in London (31:48).

Celebration and Critical Acclaim

Bazalgette was rightfully celebrated for his contributions, being knighted and revered as a hero. Although a minor setback occurred in 1878 with a ship collision near a sewage outfall, resulting in some casualties, Bazalgette’s reputation remained largely untarnished due to his continuous efforts to improve London's infrastructure (31:55).

Alternative Proposals and the Superiority of Bazalgette’s Design

Spencer Mizzen: He contrasts Bazalgette’s effective solution with the more impractical proposals of contemporaries like Goldsworthy Gurney, who suggested deep channels to divert sewage without removing it from the Thames (32:55). Bazalgette’s comprehensive and forward-thinking design ultimately prevailed, laying the foundation for modern urban sanitation.

Enduring Impact and Modern Commemorations

Spencer Mizzen: Highlighting Bazalgette’s enduring legacy, Spencer mentions landmarks such as the Cathedral on the Marsh pumping station and the ongoing Thames Tideway Tunnel project, which extends Bazalgette’s original infrastructure to accommodate London’s growing population and modern needs (35:26). The Thames Tideway Tunnel, drawing inspiration from Bazalgette’s work, underscores the lasting relevance of his engineering prowess (37:41).

Exploring Bazalgette’s Contributions Today

Rosemary Ashton: Concluding the discussion, Rosemary inquires about the best places in London to witness Bazalgette’s achievements.

Spencer Mizzen: He points to the Embankments near Charing Cross and Westminster Bridge, where subtle tributes to Bazalgette can be found etched into the brickwork (35:42). Additionally, the upcoming Bazalgette Embankment as part of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project will serve as a prominent homage to his work, further cementing his legacy in London’s urban landscape (37:41).

Conclusion

This episode masterfully intertwines the historical narrative of the Great Stink with the broader themes of urbanization, public health, and engineering innovation. Rosemary Ashton and Spencer Mizzen provide a comprehensive understanding of how a combination of environmental catastrophe, scientific inquiry, and visionary engineering led to the transformation of London’s sewage system. Through notable quotes and detailed explanations, listeners gain a vivid picture of Joseph Bazalgette’s monumental contributions and their lasting impact on modern urban planning.

Notable Quotes:

• Spencer Mizzen on the Great Stink’s impact (04:34): “The Times newspaper in particular... kept the government's nose to the grindstone, trying to get the government, the Parliament, to agree to something.”

• Spencer Mizzen introducing Joseph Bazalgette (20:36): “He was the chief engineer, and he already started. As soon as he was made chief engineer, he suggested extending the sewers to solve the problem of the effluent.”

• Spencer Mizzen on Disraeli’s role (23:35): “He took the bull by the horns... he brought forward a bill for the cleansing of London.”

This episode not only chronicles a critical moment in London's history but also celebrates the ingenuity and perseverance that reshaped one of the world’s greatest cities.