Gasholder No 9, former Bromley-by-Bow gasworks

This is a gasholder built between 1880 and 1882 to the design of engineer Vitruvius Wyatt for the Gas Light and Coke Company. The contractors were Westwood and Wrights, with construction executed by William Bourne Wright. It is constructed of cast-iron columns and composite wrought and cast-iron girders forming the guide frame. The gasholder is approximately 23 metres high and 62 metres in diameter. The circular guide frame consists of two tiers of 24 cast-iron columns connected by horizontal cast and wrought-iron girders, classified as Type 14 in Tucker’s Typology of gasholders. The lower columns are fixed to substantial moulded cast-iron pedestals, featuring fielded panels and oval plaques embossed with “WILLIAM BOURNE WRIGHT/ ENGINEER”, “WESTWOOD & WRIGHTS/ CONTRACTORS”, and the date of completion. These columns are cast as Roman Doric columns with moulded bases and capitals. Each column is topped by a junction box in the form of a Doric entablature with a triglyph frieze beneath a cornice. The cornices are detachable, concealing the structural connection between columns. The lower girders are embellished with inter-laced decorative filigree ironwork. The upper tier of columns is cast in a simplified Corinthian style, surmounted by a plain frieze. The column proportions follow the classical canon, varying from heavier Doric columns at the base to lighter Corinthian at the top. The upper girders are decorated with a repeating circular motif. Attached to the inside edge of each column are guide rails that supported the wrought-iron roller carriages upon which the telescopic bell of the gasholder moved. According to planning legislation, the bell and tank themselves are not considered to be of special architectural or historic interest, however, any works affecting the overall character of the listed building may still require planning permission.