Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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A Vital Improvement at the Gas Works 1894

Ryde Gas Works 1907 Map

Two great improvements have been in progress at Ryde during the year 1894 —one of those completed was the construction of a monster gasometer at the Gas Works.  These important works have engaged a great number of men.

24 March 1894
The local consumption of gas increases so much that it has become imperatively necessary to provide a new gasometer at the Ryde Gas Works.  One dark day last winter, no less than 320,00 feet of gas were consumed, and had there been any accident in the retort house the town would have been plunged into darkness.  At a meeting of the Directors of the Gas Company, it was decided to construct another large gasometer, which will store an additional quarter of a million cubic feet.

28 July 1894
The construction of the large gasometer at the Gas Works is proceeding rapidly.  The plates of iron of which it is composed are put together with thousands of bolts or rivets which are hammered in white hot, and it is very interesting to see the men at work.  The gasometer will be 80ft. high.

11 September 1894
The Chairman of the Ryde School Board, (Mr. George Garnett) has invited about sixty of the elder boys of the Ryde Board Schools to the Gas Works, where they will be afforded the opportunity of witnessing the construction of the new gasometer, and will also have an object lesson in the manufacture of gas.

29 September 1894
A number of boys from the Upper Grade Board School who were invited to the Gas Works, went into the gasometer where the men were at work, Mr. Farrand gave them a few particulars as to the mode of construction etc.  He told them the foundation was 18 inches of solid concrete, with one inch of sand on top.  He tank was constructed on a new principle, was made of mild steel plates, and was 84ft 3⅓in in diameter and 25ft 4in in depth.  After a great deal more information had been imparted to the boys and they had partaken of refreshments, they were taken to the retort house.  The boys then dispersed.  Prizes are to be given for the best account written by the boys of the visit.

13 October 1894
The frame work of the gasometer now being erected by the Gas Company, is nearly finished, and it quite dwarfs the other gasometers near it.  In fact, it can be seen overtopping the houses in the Strand, from the other side of the water,  several persons on board a steamer this week were heard discussing what it could be.

10 November 1894
On Friday evening last, Messrs. S. Cutler and Sons gave a dinner at the Albany Hotel to their employees who have been engaged in constructing the new gasometer at the Ryde Gas Works, and also to the employees of the Ryde Gas Light  Company. .Mr. Cutler, who was in the chair, remarked that they had met on the present occasion to celebrate the finishing of the new Gasometer at the Ryde Gasworks.  It was very refreshing to them to see a company carrying out important works like this, and spending money to improve the town.

Note:
To read the full details account of the new gasometer, as related to the boys of Upper Grade School, this can be found in the IW Observer newspaper 29 Sept 1894.  The buildings leading to the Gas Works can be found here

Sources IW Observer & RSHG Archive
Image: RSHG, Largest Gasometer of 3 in centre of map
Article: Ann Barrett