Grays Chalk Quarry, to the west of Hogg Lane in Grays,
covers an area of approximately 100 acres and is probably
the oldest quarry in Thurrock, although its exact age is
uncertain. References to the "Chalk Pit at Grays" were
made in a report entitled "The Water-Springs at Grays -
their capability of affording a supply of pure water to
the metropolis", dated 1860. The owner of the land at this
time was Richard Meeson of Duvals, Grays. An area of
approximately 60 acres had been excavated, but extraction
was continually hampered by spring water flooding into the
pit through fissures in the chalk strata. Pumps were
installed and during the working period the water level
was lowered by 12 feet. When the engines ceased, however,
the water level speedily rose.
Over a period of 24 hours more than two million gallons of
water were pumped out of the Quarry and Richard Meeson set
upon the idea of supplying this pure spring water to the
City of London. Examination of a sample of unfiltered water
was carried out by Mr Dugald Campbell, FCS, analytical
chemist to the Brompton Hospital in London. He reported:
"The water has a fresh, pleasant taste,
is remarkably free from colour and on
standing shows no deposit"
London, January 5th 1860.
At this time quarrying had been in progress for about twelve
years, but sadly Richard Meeson's scheme never materialised,
although for some time the water was supplied to the Brent-
wood area.
In 1863, Richard Meeson's quarrying concern merged with a
company called Erringtons and the Grays Chalk Quarry Co.
Limited was formed. A wharf was built on the Thames nearby
to transport the Quarry's production of chalk and lime to
its various destinations.
As in all open-cast quarries, the floor of Grays Chalk Quarry
is at various levels, gently sloping from ground level in
the south to a depth of some 60 metres in the north where
the natural water-table penetrates the surface. With
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