Shannon Scheme reports (1926-1929)

By esbarchives / Jan 31, 2017 / 4 Comments

We’re kicking off ESB’s 90th year with the launch of a new online resource relating to our founding project, the Shannon Scheme.

pg-ss-r-1-1

For the first time, each of the 39 progress reports published by Siemens during the construction of the scheme (1926-1929) are freely available to the public, giving unparalleled insight into the background of the project.

The reports cover a range of topics, including the design of Ardnacrusha power station and the Parteen Weir, the assembly of each component from turbines to transmission lines, as well as a glimpse into the staff encampments onsite and an exploration of the use of materials such as concrete and timber.

Each 4-page report is based on a single topic, and contains a number of maps and plans used during construction, as well as a number of never-before-seen photographs.

To jump to the full list of reports, click here.

Some images from the reports

click on any image below to start slideshow

Carpenter’s workshop
Concreting the sides of the embankment
Preparing charges
Blasting rock
Cross-section of Weir
Coffer dam on the River Shannon
Construction of Ardnacrusha power station
Transporting a 35 ton rotor section
Finished station with head race (right) and tail race (left)

Download and view the reports

Click on any title below to download a PDF version of the report. For help on searching within a PDF document click here.

1926
Oct The Shannon Power development
Nov Civil Engineering on the Shannon
Dec Syphon under the Headrace
1927
Jan The Camps on the Building Sites of the Shannon Scheme
Feb The Head Race
Mar Building of Embankments with the Aid of Transporters
Apr Rock Excavation on the Shannon
May Stone Crushing and Washing Plant
Jun Weir and Intake-Building
Jul Excavation for Main Power Station
Aug Transport and working Arrangements of the Shannon Scheme
Sep The Building of the Embankments
Oct The Blackwater Bridge
Nov Concrete Testing and Concrete Work at the Power Station Intake Building
Dec The Gravel Washing Plant at the Weir
1928
Jan Electrical part of the Shannon Scheme: High Tension Transmission Lines
Feb Electrical part of the Shannon Scheme: High Tension Transmission Lines (Continuation)
Mar Blasting Operations in connection with the Shannon Scheme
Apr Model Experiments on the Design for the Weir near Parteen Villa
May Construction of Weir Section I
Jun Concrete Work at the Main Power Station
Jul Electrical part of the Shannon Scheme: High Tension Transmission Lines (Continuation)
Aug Electrical part of the Shannon Scheme: High Tension Transmission Lines (Continuation)
Sep Clonlara Rockcut and Bridge
Oct The use of Timber on the Building Sites of the Shannon Scheme
Nov Turbines in the Power Station
Dec Progress on the Power Station: Part I
1929
Jan Progress on the Power Station: Part II
Feb Electrical part of the Shannon Scheme: Transformer Stations 38/10 KV
Mar Construction of Weir Section II
Apr Electrical Part of the Shannon Scheme: 110 kV Transformer Station Dublin: Part I
May Electrical Part of the Shannon Scheme: 110 kV Transformer Station Dublin: Part II
Jun Locks at Ardnacrusha: Part I
Jul Locks at Ardnacrusha: Part II
Aug Power Station: General Description of the Electrical Part
Sep Power Station: Transport of Material
Oct The Intake Building: Part I
Nov The Intake Building: Part II
Dec Completion of the Power Plant

© Siemens Archive and ESB Archives

4 Comments

  1. The progress report for January 1929 “Progress on the Power Station: Part II” is also fascinating reading but the final page is a repeat of the second page. Could this be corrected?

  2. Fantastic images and information on the Ardnacrusha Project – wonderful and timely addition to the Archives site

Comments are closed.