3-065-885 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh opening the Chelsea Thames Embankment, 1874. 'Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, on Saturday afternoon, opened the new portion of the Thames Embankment and esplanade, from the gardens of Chelsea Hospital to Battersea Bridge. We have repeatedly described and illustrated this useful work of London improvement. It was begun in August, 1871, by order of the Metropolitan Board of Works. The contractor, Mr. T. Webster, has executed his task, at a cost of £134,000, from the designs of Sir J. W. Bazalgette...The Duke of Edinburgh wore his naval uniform...The National Anthem was played, after firing a salute of artillery, when their Royal Highnesses alighted. Colonel Hogg read an address, to which a reply, prepared by Mr. Cross [Secretary of State for the Home Department], was read by the Duke of Edinburgh, declaring the new Chelsea Embankment to be opened. It is proposed to call it the Alfred Embankment. [It is actually named the Chelsea Embankment.] A knighthood has been conferred upon Colonel Hogg, now Sir James Hogg, and likewise upon the chief engineer, henceforth. Sir J. W. Bazalgette. He was the engineer, both of the Metropolitan Main Drainage system and of all the Thames Embankments'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.