History Challenge & Journal

[Nereus]

Just a Jimbob Quickie

Britian’s first real Orientalist
At twelve years of age had a pivotal role in a British Trade mission in Asia
Eventually knighted and succeeded to a Baronet title

Who was he and what was his role?

Sir George Thomas Staunton, 2nd Baronet. He accompanied his Father on a trade mission to China as interpreter when he was 12 years old.

[Nereus]

Here is an easy one (for jimbob)

What is it, where and when was it used, where is it now.

what.jpg (53.57 KiB) Viewed 390 times

[Jimbob]

Just a Jimbob Quickie

Britian’s first real Orientalist
At twelve years of age had a pivotal role in a British Trade mission in Asia
Eventually knighted and succeeded to a Baronet title

Who was he and what was his role?

Sir George Thomas Staunton, 2nd Baronet. He accompanied his Father on a trade mission to China as interpreter when he was 12 years old.

Too good Nereus
Yes young Staunton was the only one to bother to learn Mandarin before he arrived in China

[dtaai-maai]

Well done, SM - Bucephalus wins you the star prize...

[Jimbob]

Here is an easy one (for jimbob)

What is it, where and when was it used, where is it now.

without research it looks like a horizontal stationary steam powered compund engine, hence the lagged pipes.
These were often used to pump water. There is one at the tower Bridge
with research
Yup
This is a Vickers Armstrong 150 HP Horizontal Cross Compound Hydraulic Pumping Engine, near to Forncett st Mary, Norfolk, Great Britain.
The high pressure steam cylinder can be seen on the right with the low pressure on the left, using the steam twice to be more efficient.
Built in 1942 by the famous Vickers Armstrong Ltd in their Elswick works, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was designed to top up the accumulators in tower bridge, London <a . It is a 150 HP horizontal cross compound hydraulic pumping engine, Number SE1190SE. Power comes from one 18" high pressure and one 30" low pressure by 27" stroke cylinder.
The engine drove two pumps by the piston tail rods, 750 pounds per square inch of pressure was developed which pumped up hydraulic accumulators. The accumulators stored hydraulic pressure which was released to up to eight hydraulic engines when the two 1000 ton road bascule sections were required to be raised for shipping. With modernisation in 1974 the engine was made redundant and thankfully donated to the Forncett steam museum.

Marvellous engineering, just not that efficent

[Nereus]

Yes, near enough, Jimbob, I thought that you would get it.

To be excact, this particular engine was built and installed at Tower Bridge in 1942 as a back up to the existing engines in case of War damage.
It is now in the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum since 1974.

[dtaai-maai]

beauty spot.jpg (22.11 KiB) Viewed 354 times

Where is this beauty spot and what is unusual about it?

[Jimbob]

Is there any history in this beauty spot?
Looks UKish with a harbour in the back ground
nothing to do with miltary or nuclear installations?

[Siani]

The cliffs are they white? Is it the UK?

[dtaai-maai]

There's a history to everything, Jim! But you probably wouldn't find the answer to this question in a history book. Your observation was spot on, but there are no military or nuclear connections.

You'll just have to dig around for it...

Siani, you're very warm - yes and yes

[Siani]

Is it southern UK or West?

[dtaai-maai]

^^ You've already pretty much answered that question yourself, with my response.

[richard]

Ravenscar in East Yorkshire?

[dtaai-maai]

Nope (read previous posts -some clues in them!)

[Arcadian]

Jurassic coast?