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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: cristeen on Monday 12 February 18 16:32 GMT (UK)

Title: tank/tanks on old maps
Post by: cristeen on Monday 12 February 18 16:32 GMT (UK)

There seem to be a huge number of tank or tanks marked on old maps, particularly in rural areas. I have always assumed these to be for storing water, either for irrigation or domestic use. Am I correct? I have tried googling but haven't found any specific references. An example here http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=54.1477&lon=-2.7616&layers=6&b=1

Title: Re: tank/tanks on old maps
Post by: jim1 on Monday 12 February 18 16:47 GMT (UK)

Most of them seem to be out in the sticks. Possibly drainage tanks.

Title: Re: tank/tanks on old maps
Post by: andrewalston on Monday 12 February 18 17:05 GMT (UK)

They could easily be water troughs for grazing animals. It's quite a common use for a recycled domestic water tank today.

Title: Re: tank/tanks on old maps
Post by: Jon_ni on Monday 12 February 18 18:09 GMT (UK)

also lime kilns on the map view attached suggesting limestone and therefore may explain the lack of streams; fair few quarries too

Title: Re: tank/tanks on old maps
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Monday 12 February 18 18:44 GMT (UK)

Having lived on a farm with spring water, not mains, the spring fed a tank, then the pipe from the tank crossed the field to the house.

Malky

Title: Re: tank/tanks on old maps
Post by: cristeen on Monday 12 February 18 22:38 GMT (UK)

Thanks all for your suggestions. I have done some newspaper searches and it seems there were many uses for 'tanks' including all of the above thoughts and also the creation/storage of liquid manure/fertiliser :)