Skegness Magazine

Source: Skegness Standard 3rd August 1932

A new landmark which has come into being at Skegness in the shape of an immense gasholder, the construction of which has now been completed. Incidentally, the structure affords further evidence of the unceasing growth of the resort and the steps which are being taken to ensure keeping abreast of the demand for gas which, in recent years , has been an outstanding feature of the public services, controlled by the local authority.
Deserved tribute to the capabilities and energy of the firm which has made the gasholder available for the “peak” period of the year was paid by Dr. B. Sweeten, J.P. Chairman of the Gas Committee of the Council, in the course of the monthly meeting on Tuesday week.

The gasholder, except for the painting (said Dr. Sweeten) was now practically complete and was at present being filled with air for testing and the usual adjustments.
Dr. Sweeten proceeded : “Messrs. Samuel Cutler and Sons, the contractors for the job, have worked hard and also gone to considerable expense to give us the holder for August. Cutlers were under no time limit. The only time limit that would have been of any use to us is one that would have ensured the holder being ready for our season and, had there been eight, ten or twelve months available a time limit would have been enforced. As it was, the time was so short that no contractor would accept a time limit to finish in July.

Notwithstanding this, Cutlers set themselves out to do their best. They have never given us any promises the matter but have merely told us that they would complete for August if possible, finished in just over five months.

“It has been a remarkably quick job, quicker than we had believed possible, and I am sure they deserve the Council’s very best thanks as, without the holder, our distribution difficulties this coming August would have been tremendous and many people might have had to suffer from in- sufficient pressure apart from the insecurity through lack of storage.”

The members warmly endorsed the Committee chairman’s tribute to the firm, and Coun. Wood (Chairman of the Water Committee) observed that it might interest the Council to know that his department had supplied 2,300,000 gallons of water for the holder.
Coun. Digby: If it hadn’t been for the Water Department, then, the holder would not be ready for August Coun. Wood: No, without us they would have been stuck! (Laughter).

THE HOLDER DESCRIBED
The erection depicted in our photograph is known as a million cubic feet three lift spiral guided telescopic gasholder. It is over 120 feet in diameter, and stands, when full, over 130 feet high.
The holder tank holds approximately 11,000 tons of water.
The holder foundation is of reinforced concrete, carried lay 258 “cast in place” Vibro piles, each 50 feet long, the bottom ends all being bulbed.

The cost of the holder, complete with piled foundations and the inlet and outlet mains, will be approximately £20,700. While nothing was said at the Council meeting regarding the part played by Mr. Fred Young A.M.I.C.E. and the engineer and manager of the works it is generally known that “the the entire scheme was prefaced by this gentleman and that he has thrown himself heart and soul into his share in its fulfilment. Residents as a body fully appreciate what Mr Young has done in building up acid maintaining the gas supply of the town since he assumed charge of the concern.