Description | The Barrow Gas Co Ltd was formed in 1861 and a piece of land at Hindpool Rd was purchased for the gasworks. In 1863 the company became the Barrow Gas and Water Co Ltd which was then purchased two years later by the Furness Gas and Water Co Ltd. In 1867 negotiations were begun for the purchase of the undertaking by the Corporation which was achieved in 1869 by AoP. Extensions to the gasworks were made and in 1878 additional land was acquired at Ainslie St and Devonshire Road for gas storage. An agreement was made with Dalton LB to sell part of the undertaking relating to supply for Dalton-in-Furness until the LB built its own undertaking. An ammonia plant was added to the works in 1891. Further extensions were made at Hindpool Rd in 1899 and 1905 until it became clear by 1910 that a new works were needed. The purchase of a site was delayed until 1913 when the Salthouse site was acquired from the Furness Railway Co, although it was 1917 before gas was finally produced from the works. There are only six items of estate and technical records in this collection. |