Stepney Gasworks

The principal works of the Commercial Gas Company was set up in Stepney in the late 1830s and generated coal gas until the mid 20th century. As London expanded, the Stepney Works was transformed from a tiny site in an almost rural setting into a massive industrial complex packed with buildings. In 1864 it had the world's third largest gasholder. The gas, initially for street lighting, was later used for heating and cooking as competition with the electricity industry intensified. It was an industry built on brute force stokers not only loaded coal but also fought pitched battles with workers from rival companies. The Commercial was not alone in driving weaker competitors out of business. Industrial unrest was a recurring feature of the industry. Detailed recording of the surviving structures at the site, the first such undertaken on a gasworks site, has revealed that the works was continually upgraded and rebuilt to keep pace with increasing demand for gas.
The results of this survey are here combined with documentary research including previously unpublished reports, directors' minutes and other evidence, analysed in unprecedented detail to trace the history of the Company against that of the capitals gas industry. This book restores the Commercial Gas Company to its rightful place in the story of London and its gas industry.