English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Claire MacRae
DAY1
05
DAY2
19
District
Newcastle
Easting
423910
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
MONTH2
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563060
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
Elswick Gas Works were brought into use in 1859 when two smaller works at Manors and Sandgate were closed down. Production of town gas at Elswick was large but not enough to prevent claims of poor supply to some parts of the town. A further complaint about the site, dating from 1871, was that "an abominable stench arises from the gas works". Despite these problems the invention of the mantle in the 1880s saw gas used for lighting in the streets and houses until the Second World War. However, the increasing availability of electric lighting in the 1940s brought about the closure of many gas works, including that at Elswick. Buildings were demolished in 1974. Two gas holders survive in 2013.
SITEASS
Fragmentary walls were said to survive in 1988 {3}. Gasholders or gasometers are large vertical cylindrical storage vessels for holding town gas at constant pressure prior to distribution to consumers. The oldest design of gasholder, made from wrought-iron plates dates from an 1824 patent. It telescoped vertically by means of grooved wheels on vertical guide rails. Later design by W. Gadd in 1890. Small gasholders were used in factories and mills which had their own gas manufacturing plant for providing lighting. By the 1870s a typical gas manufacturing works comprised of: a retort house containing rows of retorts where the gas was made, a hydraulic main to provide a water seal to prevent explosive gas blowbacks when a retort was opened, a condensor to cool the gas and allow liquid tar to drain out, an exhauster to draw out the gas from the retorts, a scrubber in which water removed ammonia from the gas, purifiers to remove contaminants, a meter to measure the volume of gas, one or more gasholders, a governor to control the pressure at which gas was distributed to customers, covered storage for coal and coke, a boiler and steam engine to drive the exhauster and a water pump for the scrubber (William Jones, 1996, Dictionary of Industrial Archaeology, EG Stewart, 1958, History of the gas, light and coke co. 1812-1949, T. Williams, 1981, History of the British Gas Industry).
Site Type: Broad
Power Generation Site
SITEDESC
Elswick Gas Works were brought into use in 1859 when two smaller works at Manors and Sandgate were closed down. Production of town gas at Elswick was large but not enough to prevent claims of poor supply to some parts of the town. A further complaint about the site, dating from 1871, was that "an abominable stench arises from the gas works". Despite these problems the invention of the mantle in the 1880s saw gas used for lighting in the streets and houses until the Second World War. However, the increasing availability of electric lighting in the 1940s brought about the closure of many gas works, including that at Elswick {2}. The buildings weren't actually demolished until 1974. There are substantial sandstone boundary walls shown on Oliver's map of 1844. Retaining walls and trackway likely to be associated with the gas works are shown on the 1897 OS plan. A large gas holder and a smaller one still exists.
Site Name
Low Elswick Gas Works
Site Type: Specific
Gas Works
HER Number
4114
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4114 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
Riverside Heritage, Lead, Leather and Gas
NCAU, 1988, West City Area, A Report on the archaeology and industrial archaeology; Dr Gillian Eadie, 2013, Newcastle Heliport, Newcastle upon Tyne, Cultural Heritage Desk-Based Assessment; A R Fairbairn, no date, Elswick (unpublished document held at Tyne and Wear Archives); J Foster, 1995, Newcastle upon Tyne: A Pictorial History; Photo of Low Elswick Gas Works during demolition, 1974, SINE archive, Newcastle University, Stafford Linsley Collection, No. A691
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
423750
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563010
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows the location of Elswick Iron Foundry including Elswick Forge.
Site Type: Broad
Metal Industry Site
SITEDESC
Elswick Iron Foundry including Elswick Forge.
Site Name
Elswick Iron Foundry
Site Type: Specific
Iron Foundry
HER Number
4113
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4113 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
4315
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
422880
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563070
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
This Crucible Manufactory appears on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey plan the site is under the Elswick Works.
Site Type: Broad
Industrial Building
SITEDESC
A Crucible Manufactory. This was lost by the time of the 2nd edition OS mapping under the Elswick Works.
Site Name
Elswick, Crucible Manufactory
Site Type: Specific
Factory
HER Number
4112
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4112 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
422720
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563060
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
This Firebrick Manufactory is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but on the 2nd edition map the site has been lost under the Elswick Works.
Site Type: Broad
Brick and Tilemaking Site
SITEDESC
A Firebrick Manufactory. On the 2nd edition OS mapping the site has been lost under the Elswick Works.
Site Name
Elswick, firebrick manufactory
Site Type: Specific
Fire Clay Works
HER Number
4111
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4111 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
422560
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563220
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
This Coal Shaft is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but not on the 2nd edition, indicating that it was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
A Coal Shaft, marked as Old on the 1st edition OS mapping, so was out of use by 1858.
Site Name
Elswick, Coal Shaft
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4110
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4110 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
4315
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
422440
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563210
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
The site of Billet Pit (Coal) is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but was covered by the Elswick Works on the 2nd edition map.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Billet Pit (Coal). This was covered by the Elswick Works on the 2nd edition OS mapping.
Site Name
Billet Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4109
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4109 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
4315
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
422250
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563290
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
Elswick Engine Works are shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but not on the 2nd edition, where the works are covered by the Elswick Works. The Engine Works was possibly related to the nearby Newcastle and Carlisle Railway and may have been a precursor of the famous Elswick Works
Site Type: Broad
Engineering Industry Site
SITEDESC
Elswick Engine Works, possibly related to the nearby Newcastle and Carlisle Railway. These works were covered by the Elswick Works on 2nd edition OS mapping, could this site have been a precursor of that works?
Site Name
Elswick Engine Works
Site Type: Specific
Engineering Works
HER Number
4108
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4108 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
4083
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
422650
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563340
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Elswick
Description
Beaumont Pit (Coal) is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but not on the 2nd edition. Sunk in 1809. Owned by W. Cochrane Carr Ltd and then by Elswick Coal Company Ltd in the 1930s.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Beaumont Pit (Coal). Sunk in 1809. Owned by W. Cochrane Carr Ltd and then by Elswick Coal Company Ltd in the 1930s.
Site Name
Benwell Colliery, Beaumont Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4107
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4107 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97; http://www.dmm.org.uk
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
422590
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563330
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
Elswick Glue Manufactory is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but not on the 2nd edition, indicating that it was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Animal Product Site
SITEDESC
Elswick Glue Manufactory. This is not shown on the 2nd edition OS mapping, so was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Name
Elswick Glue Manufactory
Site Type: Specific
Glue Factory
HER Number
4106
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4106 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
423540
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563330
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
This Brickfield is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but not on the 2nd edition, indicating that it was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Brick and Tilemaking Site
SITEDESC
A Brickfield. This was probably out of use by 1895, as it is not shown on the 2nd edition OS mapping.
Site Name
Elswick, brickfield
Site Type: Specific
Brickfield
HER Number
4105
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4105 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994