HERSTMONCEUX GENERATING WORKS  © 1998 and 2023

  

 

 

GENERATING STATION - POWERHOUSE ROOF CONSTRUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

Northern loft above power house

 

 

 

The generating buildings were; unusually for a coal-fired installation, constructed in timber, thought to be of an imported  Redwood variety.  The building is double gabled using a three-layer roof system, consistent with the period: truss, purlins and rafters.  According to Ron Saunders, the building was lined inside and out with timber boarding.  It has not been substantiated, but is widely believed that the building originally had a slate roof. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hatch open showing tin covering

 

 

 

When electricity generation ceased in 1936, the building was covered in corrugated iron as a fire precaution, which may explain it survival of the hostilities.  Presumably due to wartime shortages, some timbers were stripped, leaving areas with just a bare wood framework.  This may have been in connection with its role a makeshift hospital for wounded airmen.

 

 

 

 

 

Hatch closed

 

 

The quality of the timber joinery and internal lining, wherever extant, is far higher than would be expected in an industrial building.  There are mouldings and architrave on the frames and in corners even where one may not have appreciated the craftsmanship.  

 

 

 

 

Herstmonceux Electricity Generating Works Circa. 1900 - 1936

 

 

Introduction  |  Instructions  |  ISBN  |  Batteries  |  Boiler Room   |  Floor Plan  |  Ron Saunders

 

Industrial Revolution  |   Lime Park  |  Machinery  |  Map  |  Power House  |  Argus 1999

 

Public Supply  |  Roof Construction  |  Rural SupplySussex Express 1913  |  Conclusion

 

Archaeology South East   |   East Sussex CC  |  English HeritageSIAS  |  Sx Exp 1999

 

Memories of Herstmonceux by Margaret Pollard

 

 

 

 

 

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