Fitzroy Gasworks: Difference between revisions
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the '''Fitzroy Gasworks'' was a goal gassification pant in [[Fitzroy, Victoria]]. It is notable as the site for the first arc-welded gasholder in the world. |
the '''Fitzroy Gasworks'' was a goal gassification pant in [[Fitzroy, Victoria]]. It is notable as the site for the first arc-welded gasholder in the world. |
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==History== |
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In 1856. the first gas supply had been instigated in [[Melbourne, Australia]], with the construction of the West Melbourne Gas Works. In the same year, residents of the Fitzroy Ward of the Corporation of Melbourne met at Clarke's Hotel, Smith Street, ''for the purpose of considering on the best means of obtaining a supply of gas within the ward''.<ref name=Circle>R Proudley. ''Circle of Influence: A History of the Gas Industry in Victoria, Hargreen/Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria, Melbourne, 1987. p. 40-49.</ref> Public concern that the City of Melbourne Gas and Coke Company monopoly resulted in excessive price for gas led to the establishment of several local gas companies, the first of which was the Collingwood, Fitzroy and District Gas and Coke Company formed in 1859. The company supplied gas to an area within a six mile radius of the works, which were erected on Reilly Street (now Alexander Parade), North Fitzroy in 1861.<ref name=Circle/> |
In 1856. the first gas supply had been instigated in [[Melbourne, Australia]], with the construction of the West Melbourne Gas Works. In the same year, residents of the Fitzroy Ward of the Corporation of Melbourne met at Clarke's Hotel, Smith Street, ''for the purpose of considering on the best means of obtaining a supply of gas within the ward''.<ref name=Circle>R Proudley. ''Circle of Influence: A History of the Gas Industry in Victoria, Hargreen/Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria, Melbourne, 1987. p. 40-49.</ref> Public concern that the City of Melbourne Gas and Coke Company monopoly resulted in excessive price for gas led to the establishment of several local gas companies, the first of which was the Collingwood, Fitzroy and District Gas and Coke Company formed in 1859. The company supplied gas to an area within a six mile radius of the works, which were erected on Reilly Street (now Alexander Parade), North Fitzroy in 1861.<ref name=Circle/> |
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The company amalgamated with the Melbourne and South Melbourne companies in 1878 to form the [[Metropolitan Gas Company]], and the gasworks were known as the ''Fitzroy Station''. The Fitzroy works was not as profitable as the other Metropolitan company's plants as so gas production was gradually reduced and the site redeveloped to accommodate the company's construction workshops and gas storage. The only riveted gasholder erected by the Metropolitan Gas Company was built at Fitzroy in 1919.<ref name=Circle/> The Chief engineer [[Joseph Newell Reeson]] undertook a number of experiments with gas manufacture, including the application of arc welding to fabrication of large structures, and as a result, the first arc welded large steel structure int he world was built in 1923, when the No 3 gasholder was completed.<ref>The Metrogram: The Staff Journal of the Metropolitan Gas Company, no. 17, December 1939. p. 15.</ref> This was dismantled in 1978, and the site covered over, but buried remains may still be present.<ref>''Melbourne Times''. 23 August 1978. Clipping in LHF, Gas Supply.</ref> |
The company amalgamated with the Melbourne and South Melbourne companies in 1878 to form the [[Metropolitan Gas Company]], and the gasworks were known as the ''Fitzroy Station''. The Fitzroy works was not as profitable as the other Metropolitan company's plants as so gas production was gradually reduced and the site redeveloped to accommodate the company's construction workshops and gas storage. The only riveted gasholder erected by the Metropolitan Gas Company was built at Fitzroy in 1919.<ref name=Circle/> The Chief engineer [[Joseph Newell Reeson]] undertook a number of experiments with gas manufacture, including the application of arc welding to fabrication of large structures, and as a result, the first arc welded large steel structure int he world was built in 1923, when the No 3 gasholder was completed.<ref>The Metrogram: The Staff Journal of the Metropolitan Gas Company, no. 17, December 1939. p. 15.</ref> This was dismantled in 1978, and the site covered over, but buried remains may still be present.<ref>''Melbourne Times''. 23 August 1978. Clipping in LHF, Gas Supply.</ref> |
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==Surviving features== |
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While much of the site has been demolished and modern workshop and store buildings erected, there are a number of historic features. The former valve house is located on the corner of Alexander Parade and George Street,<ref>[http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/103801 Fitzroy Gas Works Valve House and Store, City of Yarra Heritage Overlay HO211]</ref> and while a Porter, prefabricated iron building is located on the northern edge of the site.<ref>[http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/3957 Porter Prefabricated Iron Store, Victorian Heritage Register HH2243; City of Yarra Heritage Overlay HO468]</ref> A further building remaining from the gasworks is a bichrome brick store which was identified in heritage studies but has not been included on heritage registers.<ref>[https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/116641/Fitzroy-Gasworks-FEP-2.4-Heritage-Report-.pdf Tracey Skovronek & Renee Muratore, Fitzroy Gasworks Development Victoria Review & Heritage Appraisal, Purcell Asia Pacific Limited, May 2017]</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 02:54, 17 September 2018
the 'Fitzroy Gasworks was a goal gassification pant in Fitzroy, Victoria. It is notable as the site for the first arc-welded gasholder in the world.
History
In 1856. the first gas supply had been instigated in Melbourne, Australia, with the construction of the West Melbourne Gas Works. In the same year, residents of the Fitzroy Ward of the Corporation of Melbourne met at Clarke's Hotel, Smith Street, for the purpose of considering on the best means of obtaining a supply of gas within the ward.[1] Public concern that the City of Melbourne Gas and Coke Company monopoly resulted in excessive price for gas led to the establishment of several local gas companies, the first of which was the Collingwood, Fitzroy and District Gas and Coke Company formed in 1859. The company supplied gas to an area within a six mile radius of the works, which were erected on Reilly Street (now Alexander Parade), North Fitzroy in 1861.[1]
The original part of the works was on the north side of Alexander Parade and West of Smith Street, and was extended across Gore Street to the west as far as George Street. Opposite the works was the Gassometer Hotel.[2]
The company amalgamated with the Melbourne and South Melbourne companies in 1878 to form the Metropolitan Gas Company, and the gasworks were known as the Fitzroy Station. The Fitzroy works was not as profitable as the other Metropolitan company's plants as so gas production was gradually reduced and the site redeveloped to accommodate the company's construction workshops and gas storage. The only riveted gasholder erected by the Metropolitan Gas Company was built at Fitzroy in 1919.[1] The Chief engineer Joseph Newell Reeson undertook a number of experiments with gas manufacture, including the application of arc welding to fabrication of large structures, and as a result, the first arc welded large steel structure int he world was built in 1923, when the No 3 gasholder was completed.[3] This was dismantled in 1978, and the site covered over, but buried remains may still be present.[4]
Surviving features
While much of the site has been demolished and modern workshop and store buildings erected, there are a number of historic features. The former valve house is located on the corner of Alexander Parade and George Street,[5] and while a Porter, prefabricated iron building is located on the northern edge of the site.[6] A further building remaining from the gasworks is a bichrome brick store which was identified in heritage studies but has not been included on heritage registers.[7]
References
- ^ a b c R Proudley. Circle of Influence: A History of the Gas Industry in Victoria, Hargreen/Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria, Melbourne, 1987. p. 40-49.
- ^ ‘Half-Drowned or Half-Baked Essays in the History of North Fitzroy’, proceedings of a seminar at North Fitzroy, 3 December 2017 editor: Miles Lewis, Fitzroy History Society, ISBN 978-0-6482252-0-1
- ^ The Metrogram: The Staff Journal of the Metropolitan Gas Company, no. 17, December 1939. p. 15.
- ^ Melbourne Times. 23 August 1978. Clipping in LHF, Gas Supply.
- ^ Fitzroy Gas Works Valve House and Store, City of Yarra Heritage Overlay HO211
- ^ Porter Prefabricated Iron Store, Victorian Heritage Register HH2243; City of Yarra Heritage Overlay HO468
- ^ Tracey Skovronek & Renee Muratore, Fitzroy Gasworks Development Victoria Review & Heritage Appraisal, Purcell Asia Pacific Limited, May 2017