mark99

I don't see Kew Pumping Station neither

Full attribution from Historic England. (Notwithstanding it's almost certainly incorrect). "This print from the Historic England Archive takes us back in time to a frosty winter scene along the Grand Union Canal in Hounslow, Greater London. The image captures a moment frozen in time, both literally and figuratively. In the foreground, we see a boat navigating through broken ice sheets, testament to the harshness of winter's grip on this waterway. A man stands by the damaged canal bank, his presence adding scale and perspective to this wintry tableau. In the distance, Kew Bridge Pumping Station looms majestically against an icy backdrop. Its imposing structure serves as a reminder of human ingenuity and engineering prowess even amidst nature's formidable forces. The unknown photographer skillfully frames this composition, capturing not only the beauty but also the vulnerability of life during these colder months. This photograph transports us to an era long gone yet still resonates with its timeless charm. It invites contemplation about our relationship with nature and how it shapes our surroundings. As we gaze upon this snapshot frozen in history, we are reminded of our own transience within these ever-changing landscapes. The Historic England Archive continues to preserve such remarkable visual records that offer glimpses into our past while inspiring curiosity for future generations"

I will look it up when I got a mo. From Staffordshire archives. The first image is attributed between 1940 and 1900. The second is stated 1961. I know coal may have come in by boat - coke - possibly outbound. One of my neighbours remembers using an old pram to take his coke from the local gasworks!

The gas holder finials are not the same. Not enough chimbleys neither. The gasworks had a chemical plant next door which had quite a lot of chimneys. I think it was catalogued incorrectly by Hounslow. Errors: 1) They saw the big wall (as in hospital) 2) and incorrectly stated the chimney was "Kew Pumping Station" - (wrong shape) However the lock is uphill, Brentford is downhill so turn around and the next gasholder(s) are Southall which was owned by the Brentford Gas Co. The wall may have been to the vast Osterley Park Mansion and its grounds.

London gasworks used to get coal from up north - typically round the east coast and up the Thames. Onwards to gasworks - often transhipped. Southall was a huge gasworks - 2nd probably to Beckton.

The big wall is probably Osterley Park not the hospital.

Could it be here? Nr Hanwell looking to Southall? Look at the walls of the lock, the bend. And the new gasholder in the distance (which has also been demolished).

Southall gasworks pre 1930 (Brentford Gas Co). This was the full caption on the boat image. "A man standing by the damaged bank of the Grand Union Canal, with a boat in the broken ice of the canal in the foreground, and Kew Bridge Pumping Station in the distance" As said it does not look like Brentford as the pumping station has a diferent type of chimney. Could be Southall/Hanwell - not sure. Is that a side pond he is standing nearby? (as in the Hanwell Flight). One cannot trust image captions - ref the previous image stating "lock on GU" - which it was not Sideponds (were even ponds on the two locks above this).

The image was captioned Brentford. It may be an mistake/too short a caption - it could be looking towards Southall as in the old days, Southall gasworks was owned by the Brentford Gas Co. Again must be pre 1930 as the waterless gas holder sat Southall is not there. That was built in the 30's as below. Will check the old gas holder shapes at Southall.

This must be pre 1930 or the gasholder layout/type at Brentford would have been a different layout (I used to work there).

Yup and the EMPTY barrels put back there too. It's quite a busy spot during the day despite being isolated with a lot of coming and goings. There is also the Red Lion at Cheddleton.

Maybe - it was the attribution on the image. I don't remember anything like this on the GU. Hence threw it to the experts.

click on image for larger version

Tis on the Oxford so top bananas

East Cannock Wharf nearby - and 50 odd years before

1880 map (image 2) calls it same

Ruby walking through Cherry Eye Bridge near where the boat is moored. 100 years difference - not a lot. The painting was done in 2009 by Mike Fisher a local artist. "The bridge is named after a condition of ironstone miners' eyes, from the redness caused by rubbing them with ore-stained hands. The Cherry Eye ironstone quarry site was near to this bridge. The unusual shape of the bridge is thought to have been done for aesthetic reasons, to placate the local landowner when the canal was built".

Hednesford Basin And David; 1957