Late 19th century, Gas Works, Old Road (EHER 40397)

Late 19th century gas works

In 1875 Gas Works constructed by the landowner who had laid out the town. The water pumping station and reservoirs were alongside and his Development Company promoted the Clacton-on-Sea Gas and Water Company Ltd. The site was on the line of a proposed railway, which was not built. The railway eventually constructed was 0.75 miles away. In 1876, 1885 and 1898 were the Special Acts, the last being for municipalisation. In 1878 James Harman was MD. Also a Land Agent and Estate Agent at Marine Parade. The 1884 Gas Engineer's Directory list Burford and Church as 'Engineer or Manager' and H.R. Spence as Secretary. In 1886 Thomas Hy. Baker was the Local Manager. On 20th June, 1899 it was Purchased by Urban District Council. The annual make was then 17 millions. In 1900 the "local manager" was Frederick Richard Hunter. Offices at Rosemary Road and works at Old Road (Kelly). GWD and S gives Sydney Francis as Engineer and Manager in 1900-14. In 1924 and 1937 the Gas and Water Engineer and Manager was Sydney Francis (MBE). The 1924 make of coal gas was 62.5m plus 24m of CWG. 5,344 tons of coal and 6,798 gallons of oil were consumed. In November, 1931. A £47,600 loan sanction was received for reconstructing the works with vertical retorts and other improvements. It included the provision of a bulk supply to the Tendring Hundred Waterworks Company, who agreed to close their gasworks at Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze. In September, 1932. New plant commissioned and gas delivered into the holders of the Tendring Hundred Company at Kirby, 6.5 miles away. Clacton District was also reinforced from the same 6" high pressure main, which usually worked at 7 psig. 40m sold to Tendring Hundred in the first year; this had doubled by 1948. In 25th March, 1933 was the Official inauguration of the new gasworks. Plant added was:- 1.02m/day W-D verticals, ten upwardly-heated 62" retorts. 52 tons/day. Annular and water-cooled condensers for 1.25m/day C and W Walker Livesey Washer for 0.75m/day. P and A Tar Extractor for 1.25m/day. Purifiers for 1.25m/day. Rotary Brush Washers for 0.75m/day. W.C. Holmes Connersville Station Meter for 1.5m/day. Connersville Boosters and Connersville bulk supply meter for 36,000cf/h. South Yorkshire coal used. c.1948 Provisional orders placed for further retorts, coke handling and storage plant. The annual make in 1948 was 334m. The Engineer and Manager was F. Allen. 27th March, 1968. Production ceased. <1>