Sewage filter bed installed in 1914 to cater for Knockaloe Alien Detention Camp, Patrick with Peel to Knockaloe railway line featured in the background

Date(s): 1914

Creator(s): Warburton, William Henry

Scope & Content: The photograph was taken on the eastern side of Patrick Road, 50m-70m from and opposite the entrance to Knockaloe Beg farm road - outside Knockaloe Alien Detention Camp. It is looking north towards Peel and shows in the foreground the Sewage Filter Bed installed in 1914 to cater for the camp when initially set up to cater for up to 5000 people. This was quickly overwhelmed in 1915-1916 as numbers of internees grew. Raw sewage was initially allowed to overflow and freely drain down into the Neb, heavily polluting Peel harbour for almost a year, until Peel Commissioners were able to persuade the Home Office to install over 2,200 yards of 9" iron pipes and a pumping station (located in front of the tanks in this photo) to pump the sewage back through the camp, over the hill and into the sea. The outfall pipe is still visible from the coastal footpath. This photograph also shows the railway line to the left centre (sleepers are visible) and the top of the bridge and the Raggatt raised embankment, through to the Peel to St Johns Railway Line.

Language: eng

Extent: 12 x 9.3 cm

Item name: photograph

Collection: Photographic Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: PG/5291/15

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