These pictures show the wreck of Greenwich No.2. Gas holder in 1917.
No.2. Gas Holder stood slightly to the north of the current holder. It was much larger and was for many years the largest gas holder in the world. Its tank - the ground level part of the structure - is still there and is rumoured to be the future works site for the Silvertown Tunnel.
In 1917 there was a massive explosion in a TNT factory in Slvertown on the other side of the River. No.2. gas holder was badly damaged - and these pictures show the damage. They are part of a collection of over twenty pictures of the damage which we have been sent by the National Grid Archive.
During the explosion the gas supply to south London was saved by valvesman Frederick Innis whose quick actions earnt him a British Empire Medal. I am pleased to find more about him on the Ladywell Cemetery Web site - and hope to add more soon - and a lot more pictures.
