South Shields, Oyston Street, gas holder

HER Number:
14438

District:
S Tyneside

Site Name:
South Shields, Oyston Street, gas holder

Place:
South Shields

Map Sheet:
NZ36NE

Class:
Industrial

Site Type: Broad:
Gas Storage Tank

Site Type: Specific:
Gas Holder

General Period:
Early Modern

Specific Period:
C19

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
A feature of the South Shields’ skyline since 1886. Built by G & W Walker Ltd., the holder’s design includes 16 vertical cast iron columns and two huge tanks that lift telescopically as they fill with gas, to a total height of 90ft. The South Shields gasholder is a vital part of the local gas supply system, making sure there’s enough gas to go round even in the coldest winters. It can store almost 1.5 million cubic feet of gas – enough to supply 1,800 homes for a full day, or 42,000 homes for an hour. The structure received a makeover in 2008/09 when engineers gave it a £250,000, 5,000 litre paint job to make it less incongruous in its environment. LOCAL LIST

Easting:
3631

Northing:
6698

Grid Reference:
NZ36316698

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
SOUTH TYNESIDE LOCAL LIST REVIEW 2011: REFERENCE NUMBER: LSHA/59/SS