BAZALGETTE, SIR JOSEPH WILLIAM English engineer, carried out many important engineering works in London, being concerned with the construction of the main drainage system and the Thames embankment. On the creation of the Metropolitan Board of Works (1855) he was at once appointed its chief engineer. His drainage plans were ready, but the work was delayed by official obstruction until 1858. Once begun, how ever, it was vigorously pushed on, and in, 1865 the system was formally opened. The section of the Thames embankment, con structed on his plans, between Westminster and Vauxhall on the Surrey side was built between 186o and 1869, and the length be tween Westminster and Blackfriars was declared open by the prince of Wales in 187o. The Chelsea embankment followed in 1871-74, and in 1876 Northumberland avenue was formed. Bazal gette was also responsible for various other engineering works in the metropolitan area, designing, for example, new bridges at Putney and Battersea, and the steam ferry between north and south Woolwich. He died before his schemes for a tunnel at Blackwall and a bridge at the Tower had taken shape; though these were built later.