Hydraulic Accumulator Tower Approximately 20 Metres East Of South Dock Basin

The hydraulic accumulator tower, located approximately 20 metres east of South Dock Basin, was built in the mid to late 19th century for the Aire and Calder Navigation. It features a tooled ashlar base and a timber-framed, weather-boarded tower topped with an asphalt roof and cast-iron machinery. The structure is square in plan, measuring about 5 metres on each side, and has a chamfered ashlar plinth. The plain two-stage tower stands around 15 metres high, although the south and west sides show some damage. The second stage on the south side includes a Yorkshire sash window. Near the top of the north and south sides, there are fragmentary timber balcony remnants, with slots for former balcony supports visible on the east and west sides. The hipped roof has exposed rafter ends, a roof light, and a decorative finial. Inside, the tower houses original hydraulic machinery and an iron ladder. A weighted ram compressed water in the cylindrical tank that occupies the lower half of the tower, supplying hydraulic power for the boat hoist and other machinery in the nearby South Dock. The hydraulic accumulator was invented by Sir William Armstrong and first used in Newcastle in 1851. The Goole towers may have been installed by W H Bartholomew as part of improvements that included the boat hoists. At the time of resurvey, the tower was disused and in a derelict state.