Fulham Gas Works
of Sands Lane, Fulham
Also known as Imperial Gasworks
1824 Built by the Imperial Gas Light and Coke Co. It first operated as a holder station, with Samuel Clegg as its first engineer. The works was connected to the Kensington Canal which was used to transport coal to the plant.
1829 Commenced manufacture of gas
1862 Docks were built on the canal.
1868 Description, illustrations and detailed specification of 3 million cu ft gasholder, designed by Thomas N. Kirkham, the works engineer. The lower lift was 230 ft 6" diameter by 32 ft 3" deep, upper lift 228 ft diameter, 32 ft 6" deep. John Aird & Sons were the main contractors; the supervisor was Thomas N. Kirkham. Constructors of tank and guides: Westwood and Wrights of Dudley; castings by the Staveley Coal and Iron Co.[1]
1876 The Imperial Gas Light and Coke Co amalgamated with the Gas Light and Coke Co
1899 A CWG (Carburetted Water Gas) plant was added.
The works was always known for its innovative design and methods and for a while had the largest holders in existence.
From 1908 to 1917 low gravity gas was made in a separate plant and distributed to Hurlingham for use in Balloons both for leisure and wartime activity.
1911 the Gas Light and Coke Co built its first workshop and transport depot at Fulham
1916 A mantle burning-off factory was added
1920 A Benzole motor spirit loading station was added.
From 1926 the coal arrived at a riverside wharf from sea going colliers.
1927 a new Research Laboratory was built; this was extended in 1942 and 1955.
1949 Gas Light and Coke Co became part of the nationalised industry under the North Thames Gas Board
Two 30,000 cu ft gasholders were erected in 1824, and two similar ones added in 1827, one of which remains. In 1830 No.2 GH was very large for its time, at 234,000 cu ft. In 1829 The first gas making plant was constructed at the site, this having been recovered from the former gasworks at Dutton Street. Further retort houses were added in 1838, 1842, 1856, 1864 and 1865. No.3 GH (1,541,000 cu ft) was built in 1871 and No.5 (2,500,000cf) was added in 1867.[2].
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Engineering 1868/04/24
- ↑ [1] Research Report Series no. 182-2020: The Manufactured Gas Industry: Volume 3 Gazetteer, Prof. Russell Thomas
- [2] National Archives