Mid 19th century gas works, Victoria Road (EHER 40393)

A gas works formed in 1844, close to a quay on the estuary of the River Crouch. The management is well-documented. By 1956 the Burnham works was also supplying Southminster, which had closed. Production at Maldon ceased on 14th December 1957; the final capacity of the works had been 150,000cf/day, all coal gas.

A gas works formed in 1844, close to a quay on the estuary of the River Crouch. In 1862, the Burnham Gas Co. Ltd. was formed, and in 1870, the directory lists W. Newman as Secretary. The 1878 directory says Burnham is 'partially lighted by gas'. Roberton Gordon Coombes, the Secretary is also a Surgeon. 'A tower with an illuminated quarter clock, by Messrs Gillett and Bland of Croydon, was erected in 1878 in memory of Laban Sweeting Esq., at a cost of £300' (see EHER 25010). The 1884 Gas Engineer's Directory describes W. Newman as the 'Engineer or Manager'. James Perry was Manager in 1886. By 1900 John Charles Robinson was Secretary and James Perry Manager. Between 1900 and 1915 the annual make rose from 0.75m to 11m under the chairmanship, latterly, of F.H. Jones. Jones was still Chairman in 1924, at which time the make was 14.5m from 1,050 tons of coal. The works manager in 1915 and 1924 was Thomas Thompson and the Secretary E. Dillaway. In 1929 and 1937, E. Edwin was Manager and E. Dilliway was Secretary, Western Road. (Kelly). George Evetts was Chairman and (Consulting) Engineer by 1937, when the make was 15m from 1,107 tons of coal. In 1948 Sir George Evetts was still Engineer with E.G. Edwin as local Manager and Secretary. The annual make was 23m. By 1956 the Burnham works was also supplying Southminster, which had closed (see EHER 40419). During 1957 an 11-mile hp main was laid from Maldon to Southminster, linking them to the 'Essex Grid'. Production at Maldon ceased on 14th December 1957; the final capacity of the works had been 150,000cf/day, all coal gas. The holder station was on the Marsh, East of the gas works. <1> The gas works is visible on the 3rd ed OS map. <2>