In the area of York known at Foss Island stands this chimney, the last survivor of several in that area, and now surrounded by shops.
The chimney was built during 1899, and for many years was shared by a refuse destructor and an electricity generating station.
It was built by Parker & Sharp, who were a York firm, on a wooden foundation, and calculated to weigh 2,120 tons. There was subsequently some settlement of the foundations, which resulted in cracking of the brickwork and the iron bands, you see today, were fitted in 1904 to reinforce it.
The destructor had its own boiler, which used heat from the refuse to produce steam to power a stone breaker and a mortar mill in the Corporation yard. Any surplus steam was available for use in the generating station.
As the power station expanded several additional chimneys were built and the use of the original chimney by the power station ended in the 1920s and it was from then used solely by the refuse destructor.
The destructor was used to burn household waste collected in the city. I haven't been able to trace when it was closed, but it was probably around 30 years ago. New shops around the area have been opened over the last 10 years.
Great shot of this beautiful chimmey. Those exist not so many anymore. It`s very expencive to keep them in good condition. Fav.
A big ``thank you`` from Ina.
Very interesting information on this landmark chimney, Ian. Thank you for that. I love your pov here, makes the chimney seem to be reaching into the sky.
really like the shape of this tower. for having been around for so long and having burned so much stuff, it is in pretty good shape. fantastic pov and capture!
Thank you all for your comments and favs, which put this shot on the trending and popular pages.
I should add that this chimney is now a listed building, and so has a level of protection. The area immediately around it has been paved and there are seats (ideal for me to sit and enjoy the sundhine and take photos while Katharine was shopping!). To take this shot, I was probably around 3 metres (10 feet) from the base of the chimney, which is around 55 metres (180 feet) tall.
Richard, I was rather suprised about the wooden foundations too - but then, the original foundations of York Minster were oak beams too, before they were replaced by a concrete raft in the 1970's!
Ian
December 12th, 2016
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A big ``thank you`` from Ina.
Thank you all for your comments and favs, which put this shot on the trending and popular pages.
I should add that this chimney is now a listed building, and so has a level of protection. The area immediately around it has been paved and there are seats (ideal for me to sit and enjoy the sundhine and take photos while Katharine was shopping!). To take this shot, I was probably around 3 metres (10 feet) from the base of the chimney, which is around 55 metres (180 feet) tall.
Ian
Thank you all for your interesting comments
Richard, I was rather suprised about the wooden foundations too - but then, the original foundations of York Minster were oak beams too, before they were replaced by a concrete raft in the 1970's!
Ian