Dreaming in blue? Here we are at No.7 Gasholder. This striking structure offers a glimpse into London’s industrial past. It stands tall near the railway line into Victoria Station. Let’s uncover the story of this iconic landmark.
No.7 Gasholder, also known as the blue MAN gasholder, has an interesting history. It was built in 1932. The gasholder was part of the Battersea Gasworks site. This site spanned two hectares. The gasholder could store up to 186000 cubic meters of gas. This was stored beneath an oil-sealed piston.
The gasholders were built to store town gas. This gas was produced by the London Gas Light Company’s Nine Elms Gasworks. Before natural gas, gas was made by heating coal. This process created town gas. Victorians used this gas for lighting and heating.
Nine Elms Gas Works was established in 1853. It was located where New Covent Garden Market is now. A fire destroyed the original gasholders. The fire was caused by an explosion. Nine people died in the accident. Gasholder No.7 was built later, in 1932, after this fire.
MAN stands for Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg. This is a German company. They developed the design for this gasholder. MAN gasholders can be found across Europe, the US, and the UK. The technology may have been German, but a British company built it. R&J Dempster were granted the license by MAN. They even built them in Germany.
Unlike water-sealed gasholders, No.7 Gasholder does not expand. It does not contract with the amount of gas stored. This rigid design makes it a prominent feature.
After the discovery of North Sea gas, gasworks became less important. The gasworks closed in 1970. The site continued to store gas for a time. Improvements in the gas network allowed gas to be stored in the pipe system.
Some found it tricky to access No.7 Gasholder. Once inside, there were steep stairs to climb. But the views were worth it.
Inside, there was a staircase suspended from the ceiling. It led down into the darkness. The floor moved upwards as the holder filled with gas. The staircase would fold as the floor rose.
No.7 Gasholder is a reminder of London’s industrial heritage. It stands as a testament to engineering. It also represents the city’s ever-evolving landscape. Next time you pass by, remember its story. It is a story of innovation, industry, and resilience.