Musselburgh, Gasworks
Gas Works (19th Century)
Site Name Musselburgh, Gasworks
Classification Gas Works (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Musselburgh Gasworks; Musselburgh, Stone Gasometer-house
Canmore ID 53810
Site Number NT37SW 160
NGR NT 3479 7331
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/53810
- Council East Lothian
- Parish Inveresk (East Lothian)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District East Lothian
- Former County Midlothian
NMRS REFERENCE:
Musselburgh Gasworks, including the Stone Gas Holder, were demolished in 1970. Information from NMRS Demolitions catalogue.
Publication Account (1986)
This circular stone-built structure was erected in about 1831 for the gas company serving Musselburgh and Portobello, which was established in that year; it survived until 1970, being one of the last remaining examples of its type. It measured 42 ft 6 in (12.95m) in diameter over walls of sandstone ashlar masonry 2 ft (0.61m) in thickness. A single-storeyed structure, possibly an early retort-house and purifier-house, had formerly abutted the N face of the building. Ventilation for the gasholder was provided by four tall louvred windows with pointed arched heads, and the slated conical roof was surmounted by an octagonal louvred cupola. The internal gas containers had long been absent, but the empty masonry shell still preserved a few structural details, including a channel for a counterpoise weighted frame . The principal feature of interest was a substantial double-frame king-post gantry-truss with stirruped main joints. Two iron pulley-wheels were held between the pair of flitched tie-beams. Descriptions of early single-lift gasholders of this type show that a chain attached to an eye-bolt at the top of the internal vessel was drawn over the two wheels and affixed at the other end to a counterpoise weight, almost equal to the weight of the vessel. The radial roof-structure otherwise comprised a system of common rafters and ties held together by iron rings.
Information from ‘Monuments of Industry: An Illustrated Historical Record’, (1986).
