Monument record 1160/253/3 - Modern Gasholder, Northampton Gasworks

Telescopic gasholder built 1889, now demolished

{1} Building recording undertaken prior to demolition. In 1887 an agreement was signed to expand into new land to the south of the existing works at Baulmsholme. The new works were more efficient with modern plant erected on a grand scale. This included the construction of a new telescopic gasholder in 1889, surviving as Gasholder No 5.

The gasholder is column guided and consists of two telescopic lifts, each approximately 30ft in height. There are 18 giant single order cast iron columns formed in three sections with external flanged joints. The columns are surmounted with simple Tuscan capitals and curved bases. The bases are sat upon brick plinths which continue the brick superstructure of the tank (approximately 150ft in diameter). The horizontal frame is created by two tiers of wrought iron box section lattice girders. The top tier rises above the capitals and is attached by simple entablature boxes, with the lower tier bolted directly onto the column. Additional bracing is provided by diagonal tie rods, decorated with rose bosses at the intersection.
The lifts are guided by carriages which run along fixed rails on the inside of the columns. Each lift is formed by riveted iron plates. Encircling the top lift is a simple railing of three horizontal bars. There is no railing to the lower lift. External access is provided by a fixed ladder on the south column. The holder crown is formed from lapped iron sheets. Where these have been removed they reveal a series of radiating trusses using a combination of simple ‘I’ beams and tie rods. These converge at a central column which rises through the lifts. On the crown are a series of inspection covers, for use when the holder is empty.

{2} A watching brief was undertaken during remediation work. The main gasholder on the site was demolished immediately prior to the remediation work. The gasholder stood as a notable landmark in the centre of Northampton, immediately adjacent to Towcester Road. At the time of recording the whole of the superstructure had been removed and the tank below ground level had been fenced. The gasholder was 45.0m in diameter and a little over 6.0m deep. The base of the tank had been lined with clay to provide an impermeable seal. The sides of the tank were constructed of red brick using a variation on the English Cross Bond, held
together with coarse grey cement mortar. The marks left behind by the steel frame of the superstructure could still be seen. The tank has now been backfilled.

<1> Jones, A., 2013, Northampton Gas Holders Report: Historic Building Recording, November 2013 (Report). SNN111046.

<2> Foard-Colby A., 2014, Archaeological observation, investigation and recording for remediation works at the former gasworks site, Towcester Road, Northampton, July-September 2014, checked (Report). SNN110133.

Record last edited

Apr 30 2025 3:45PM