EHL71. J. Stone & Co Engineers Deptford London. c1890. Location: Granville Road near the junction with Carlisle Road, Eastbourne. what3words: haven.turns.reap

J. Stone & Co Engineers Deptford London.  

Condition: Good. Repainted by Bob Cookson.

The Eastbourne Local History Society Newsletter No 8 of January 1973 contained an article by the late Harold Spears titled ‘Some Notes on Historic Street Furniture’, which included a section on water carts.  The article was included in the 1984 booklet ‘Eastbourne’s Historic Street Furniture – Monuments & Memorials’ under the heading ‘Water Hydrant Posts.’  In the article Harold explained that the water hydrants (not to be confused with fire hydrants) were originally fitted with a swan neck pipe on the top that was used to fill the water tanks on the town’s water carts.  The water carts would then spray the roads in the town to keep the dust down in the pre tarmacked road era.  Harold states in the 1984 booklet that there were still eight in existence at that time in the following locations, Gildredge Road, Ashford Road, Granville Road, Vicarage Road, Gaudick Road, Grassington Road, St, John’s Road, Seaside (near the Archery Tavern).  He went on to explain he had contacted the authorities some years before due to the fact that the posts were very rusty, and subsequently they were painted a ‘biscuit’ colour, but had since been painted bright green in 1983.  In Autumn 2014, an article by Frank Woods titled ‘Street Furniture update’ appeared in the Eastbourne Local Historian No 173 (as the Newsletter is now called) that explained there were now only four of the water posts left.  These are located in Gildredge Road (corner of Station Street), Granville Road (corner of Blackwater Road), Grassington Road (corner of Furness Road), and St. John’s Road (opposite the Hydro Hotel).  In 2023 a new survey of the water posts was conducted by Kim Adams as part of a larger study led by Kevin Gordon of all of Eastbourne’s historic features.

Information from Grace’s Guide: -

1842 J. Stone and Co was founded by Josiah Stone in conjunction with George Preston, and John Prestige.

1867 Partnership change. '... the Partnership heretofore subsisting between Josiah Stone, George Preston, and John Prestige, all of High-street, Deptford, in the county of Kent, Millwrights, Engineers, Brass and Iron Founders, Coppersmiths, Braziers, and Workers in Metals, has (so far as relates to the said Josiah Stone) been this day dissolved by mutual consent...’

1884 Partnership change. '...the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Frederick Philip Preston, John Theodore Prestige the elder, and Edwin James Preston, as Millwrights, Engineers, Brass and Iron Founders, Coppersmiths, Braziers, and Workers in Metals, at Deptford, in the county of Kent, under the style or firm of Josiah Stone and Co., has been dissolved, by mutual consent, as from the 31st day of December, 1883; and that the business will henceforth be carried on at the same place, under the same style, by the said Frederick Philip Preston, and Edwin James Preston, and John Theodore Prestige the younger, Sydney Prestige, and Reuben Thomas Preston...'

1898 Supplied the electric lighting for the coaches of the Barry Railway.

1903 Introduced the Stone-Lloyd automatic bulkhead doors for ships

1904 The company was registered on 7 May as a private company, J Stone and Company Ltd, to acquire the business of J. Stone and Co, brass, copper and iron workers, and mechanical and general engineers, of Deptford.

1905 The family offered shares in the company to the public. The company had many thousands of customers including many navies, shipping companies, the principal British railway companies, shipbuilding companies, and locomotive and railway carriage builders. They were the sole manufacturers for the UK and Colonies of the Stone-Lloyd system of hydraulically operated watertight doors for ships.

1912 Took control of Hart Accumulator Co Ltd.

1926 M. C. L. and Repetition Ltd was set up by J. Stone and Co, Hart Accumulator Co and D. P. Battery Co to manufacture "repetition" parts (principally nuts and bolts) but also made magnetos on a small scale.

1927 Agreement with S. A. F. T. regarding alkaline batteries.

1928 National Accumulator Co was formed to hold all the shares in D. P. Battery Co and a major interest in Hart Accumulator Co; the company was owned by J. Stone and Co and other competitors.

1929 Patent - Improvements in the electrolytic deposition of metal-on-metal tubes.

1929 Chloride Electrical Storage Co acquired National Accumulator Co. Agreement with Chloride Electrical Storage Co relating to batteries for train lighting which prohibited Stones from making lead-acid and alkaline batteries and assigned to Chloride the agreement with S. A. F. T. regarding alkaline batteries; Chloride was to supply these to Stones.

1934 The River Thames was home to specialists in propellers - J. Stone and Co at Deptford and Charlton made 4 of the largest propellers ever made for vessel #534 being constructed on the Clyde; Manganese Bronze and Brass Co made the other four.

1936 Demonstration of air conditioning for railway coaches by J. Stone and Co Ltd.

1937 Founders in non-ferrous alloys, engineers. "Ceralumium" High Tensile Aluminium Alloys. "Superston L189" Aluminium Bronze.

1946 Formed Stone-Fry Magnesium Ltd with Fry's Diecastings Ltd for the manufacture of pressure die-castings in magnesium.

1954 Chance Brothers' engineering division was acquired by J. Stone and Co (Holdings) Ltd. 

1957 Bull's Metal and Marine, makers of propellers and ship windows, was a subsidiary of J. Stone and Co (Holdings) Ltd.

1958 Scheme of arrangement to effect a merger between Platt Brothers and Co (Holdings) and J. Stone and Co (Holdings); Stones became a wholly owned subsidiary of Platts; the company name was changed to Stone-Platt Industries.

1961 Railway, electrical and general engineers specialising in the manufacture of train lighting, air conditioning and refrigeration, speed indicators, automatic voltage regulators, semi-conductor power rectifiers, hydraulic power transmissions, pantographs, package type steam generators and non-ferrous nails and rivets. 

EHL79. Ham Baker & Co. c1890. Location: Grassington Road adjacent to the junction with Furness Road, Eastbourne. what3words: turns.gates.glory

Ham Baker & Co Engineers Westminster.  Note: there is also a small 'inspection' cover in the pavement at the base of this post which is also marked 'Ham Baker & Co Westminster.'

Condition: Good. Repainted by Bob Cookson.

The Eastbourne Local History Society Newsletter No 8 of January 1973 contained an article by the late Harold Spears titled ‘Some Notes on Historic Street Furniture’, which included a section on water carts.  The article was included in the 1984 booklet ‘Eastbourne’s Historic Street Furniture – Monuments & Memorials’ under the heading ‘Water Hydrant Posts.’  In the article Harold explained that the water hydrants (not to be confused with fire hydrants) were originally fitted with a swan neck pipe on the top that was used to fill the water tanks on the town’s water carts.  The water carts would then spray the roads in the town to keep the dust down in the pre tarmacked road era.  Harold states in the 1984 booklet that there were still eight in existence at that time in the following locations, Gildredge Road, Ashford Road, Granville Road, Vicarage Road, Gaudick Road, Grassington Road, St, John’s Road, Seaside (near the Archery Tavern).  He went on to explain he had contacted the authorities some years before due to the fact that the posts were very rusty, and subsequently they were painted a ‘biscuit’ colour, but had since been painted bright green in 1983.  In Autumn 2014, an article by Frank Woods titled ‘Street Furniture update’ appeared in the Eastbourne Local Historian No 173 (as the Newsletter is now called) that explained there were now only four of the water posts left.  These are located in Gildredge Road (corner of Station Street), Granville Road (corner of Blackwater Road), Grassington Road (corner of Furness Road), and St. John’s Road (opposite the Hydro Hotel).  In 2023 a new survey of the water posts was conducted by Kim Adams as part of a larger study led by Kevin Gordon of all of Eastbourne’s historic features.

Information from Grace’s Guide: -

1884 Formation of a partnership between Frederick Ham, William Baker, and Claude Sansom in London.

1893 Company founded by Frederic George Sison Ham, maker of gas street lamps.

1905 Sewage and water fittings.

1912 Resolution to wind the company up. 

1922 Sanitary and Hydraulic Engineers, Langley Green, Birmingham.

1926 Foundries and engineering works at Langley, Birmingham.

1982 Ham Baker & Co Ltd took the leading role in the marketing and selling of the Eurovalve product range on behalf of Eurovalve Ltd. 

Information from the Langley Local History Society Facebook page: -

Ham Baker & Co was established in Grosvenor Rd., Westminster, London in 1893.  Shortly afterwards they moved to a site next to the Titford canal (Birmingham), close to the coal mines of Langley and Rowley.  They set up their 'Municipal Engineering Company Works' at the end of Clay Lane.  They were general engineers and iron & brass founders, but specialised in articles used by local authorities including sewage disposal, water distribution & irrigation equipment, waterways, docks & later, power stations & oil supply equipment.  The works consisted of pattern shops, and brass and iron foundries capable of castings up to ten tons, as well as fitting and erection shops, all linked through rail tracks.  Their 1905 catalogue showed a wide range from small items such as valves, manhole covers and drains, to huge sluice gates (penstocks).  In later years they supplied oil depots & power stations, including the then Calder Hall Nuclear Power Station.  Items were shipped worldwide, many starting their journey from the goods yard of Langley Green station, and the company had agencies across the globe.  Local requirements were also met and much of the equipment at the Oldbury Sewage Works was supplied by them.  The company was bought out by Biwater Industries Ltd.  The original site is now a housing estate. 

Boundary Stone 'CHH' Charles Hugh Haine c1880. 19 South Street, Eastbourne. what3words location: backed.dirt.faced

 

White marble boundary stone.

Pictures and information from survey conducted 30/08/24 by Kim Adams.

CHH stands for Charles Hugh Haine who took over the company from his father, John Haine, who had founded it in 1838. As well as being a prominent local businessman, C H Haine was elected as one of Eastbourne's first Borough Councillors in 1883 and was also a leading Freemason. He ran the company from the 1880s into the early 20th century before handing over to his son, C S Haine. C H Haine died in 1916 aged 69.

Boundary Stone 'CHH' Charles Hugh Haine c1880. 19 South Street, Eastbourne. what3words location: deputy.plug.cross

 

White marble boundary stone.

Pictures and information from survey conducted 30/08/24 by Kim Adams.

CHH stands for Charles Hugh Haine who took over the company from his father, John Haine, who had founded it in 1838. As well as being a prominent local businessman, C H Haine was elected as one of Eastbourne's first Borough Councillors in 1883 and was also a leading Freemason. He ran the company from the 1880s into the early 20th century before handing over to his son, C S Haine. C H Haine died in 1916 aged 69.

Eastbourne Gazette, May 4th, 1881. Report on the meeting of the Eastbourne Local Board.

 

EHL210. GPO Wall Plate. c1933 to c1972. 33 Upperton Gardens, Eastbourne. what3words location: bumps.dated.update

 

GPO joint marker ‘No3’.  Cast iron pavement plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.  Set into the pavement outside 33 Upperton Gardens adjacent to drainpipe pavement drain cover.  Note the original Victorian red brick paving stones which Eastbourne is famous for.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL228. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. 1 Arlington Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: forget.friend.yards

Side boundary wall of Arlington Road Surgery in Old Orchard Road. 

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL227. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. 9 Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: skill.oven.market

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL226. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. Farrington Court, 16 Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: pirate.stow.across

 

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL225. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. 14 Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: coffee.attend.blend

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL209. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. 6 & 6a Ratton Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: normal.gates.rinse

 

Boundary wall of 6 & 6a Ratton Road, midway between the two entrance gates, and adjacent to a modern BT pavement inspection cover. 

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

Ordnance Survey Benchmark. Prior to 1875. King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: cheek.took.ritual

A combined War Department Boundary Stone and Benchmark (plus Bath Chair Stand Licence Plate).

Boundary wall of the Wish Tower opposite the Lansdowne Hotel near entrance to Western Lawns. 

From OS: The horizontal marks are used to support a stable ‘bench’ for a levelling stave to rest on – hence ‘benchmarks.’  Used to ‘record height above ordnance datum’ for mapping purposes.  Although no longer used (OS now use GPS), the records still exist and the markers will remain until they are eventually destroyed by redevelopment or erosion.

Historic Context:  Ordnance Survey has its roots in military strategy due to the mapping of the Scottish Highlands following a rebellion in 1745.  Later, during the French Revolution there were fears the bloodshed might sweep across to our shores.  The government ordered its defence ministry of the time – the Board of Ordnance – to begin a survey of England’s vulnerable southern coasts.  Until then, maps had lacked the detail required for moving troops and planning campaigns.  The date of 21 June 1791 is officially recognised as the birth of Ordnance Survey. The term ‘Ordnance Survey’ was not used at all until 1801 when its director wrote it on a draft document. The name was not printed on a map until the 1810 ‘Ordnance Survey of the Isle of Wight and part of Hampshire”.  In the mid-1830s, height was introduced to Ordnance Survey maps (this is where benchmarks come into the picture).  In 1841, the Survey Act gave surveyors a legal right to ‘enter into and upon any land… for the purposes of making and carrying out a survey’.  In 1983 the last military personnel left Ordnance Survey, making it a wholly civilian organisation.  The War Department’s broad arrow remained in the Ordnance Survey Logo a further 21 years afterward, a nod to its military past.

References: -

Ordnance Survey website for OS history and benchmark information.

EHL131. Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. De Roos Road where it meets Ratton Road and Mill Road, opposite corner to VR Pillar Box, Eastbourne. what3words location: wins.tables.cubes

Grace’s Guide: Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. 

c.1883 Established the first system of district electric lighting in the UK using underground mains. 

c.1883 The Lowrie-Hall system of electric lighting, using the Goulard-Gibbs transformer (otherwise spelled as Gaulard-Gibbs), was deployed by Hammond & Co (Electrical Engineers) for Eastbourne Electric Lighting Co; Mr William Lowrie was the chief engineer of Hammond and Co.

By 1889 mains of 20 miles length were in use.

From ‘Bygone Eastbourne’ by J. C. Wright published in 1912 the following chapter titled ‘The Pioneer of Electricity on the South Coast’ is reproduced in full: -

The inhabitant of old Eastbourne as he chatted in the chimney-corner during the dark days of winter and lit himself to bed by the aid of a farthing rushlight did not dream that posterity should possess a light which ‘without heat, without smoke, without smell, and shut up inside an empty bulb, should emit a beam with powers denied even to the solar ray.’  It is true these advantages were not secured all at once.  The Electric Light Company was unable to avail itself of the incandescent system for some time.  Founded in 1882, the company initiated an undertaking which has become of considerable importance to the town.  Soon after its formation, it applied to the Local Board for permission to carry its wires ‘over streets or over roofs of houses or in gas-tubing under streets for the purpose of carrying the electric light into the shops and houses of such ratepayers as may desire to use it.’  The company also asked the local authority if it was willing to try the ‘Brush Arc Light’ of 2,000 candle-power in a few selected parts of town.  Though there was some opposition, the request was grant by a majority of four and it was arranged that sixteen lamps should supersede ninety existing gas lamps. 

It is amusing to read the discussions of the Board respecting the new light.  It was stated the several companies were intending to compete with the original Eastbourne Company, that they would have the power to come and break up the roads, and could not be dislodged for twenty-one years.  A few members thought ‘the more the merrier,’ but others of a more serious turn of mind regarded the outlook with feelings far removed from equanimity, and the Clerk was instructed to watch the question in the interests of the Board.  The ‘watching’ was effectual; anyhow no rival company appeared on the scene.  With youthful ardour the company urged that the Board should allow them to light one or two streets.  But the Board, desiring above all things to appear fair, resolved to put the Gas Company on a similar footing.  Accordingly the Electric Light Company was asked to give a price for lighting up the route from the drinking fountain near the railway station to the top of Victoria Place; and the Gas Company to give a price for lighting the road from the Anchor Hotel to Mr. Dicker’s shop in South Street.  The Gas Company took offence, because, said one of the members, they had ‘had a nice thing for a long time, and did not want it taken away.’  So the company refused to give a price.  But an agreement was entered into with the rival company to light fourteen arc lamps in Devonshire Place, Terminus Road, and Seaside Road.  This arrangement was not carried out in its entirety, but Devonshire Place was actually lighted by the company for some time.  The direct current was at first employed, but this gave place to the alternating current, and along with it the system of incandescent lighting, the first place to be lit by the company being the new Town Hall.

As the pioneers of electric lighting on the south coast the company had frequently to pay heavily for their experience, for essentially it was an experimental company in its early days, and but for the assistance of capitalists introduced by Mr. Robert Hammond, the well-known consulting electrical engineer, under whose superintendence the company’s system was originally laid down, the undertaking might have collapsed.  After 1890 the company ‘turned a corner’ and began paying dividends, which in the year prior to its transference to the Corporation reached 10 per cent.  Many of the principal boroughs, including that of Dublin, and several of the London vestries visited Eastbourne to inspect the company’s operations, and at the opening of the works in Junction Road in 1885 the Chinese Ambassador, the Marquess T’Seng, was present. 

The original directors were Mr. George Boulton (chairman) and Messrs. J. G. Langham, Wm. Routledge, Caleb Diplock, and J. A. Skinner; and from the incorporation of the company Mr. Henry Towner acted as secretary and accountant. Latterly Mr. H. W. Wilkinson was the electrical engineer.  Since the undertaking came into the hands of the Town Council, it has been found necessary to erect new works at Roselands.

EHL129. Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. De Roos Road where it meets Ratton Road and Mill Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: flame.miss.rash

Grace’s Guide: Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. 

c.1883 Established the first system of district electric lighting in the UK using underground mains. 

c.1883 The Lowrie-Hall system of electric lighting, using the Goulard-Gibbs transformer (otherwise spelled as Gaulard-Gibbs), was deployed by Hammond & Co (Electrical Engineers) for Eastbourne Electric Lighting Co; Mr William Lowrie was the chief engineer of Hammond and Co.

By 1889 mains of 20 miles length were in use.

From ‘Bygone Eastbourne’ by J. C. Wright published in 1912 the following chapter titled ‘The Pioneer of Electricity on the South Coast’ is reproduced in full: -

The inhabitant of old Eastbourne as he chatted in the chimney-corner during the dark days of winter and lit himself to bed by the aid of a farthing rushlight did not dream that posterity should possess a light which ‘without heat, without smoke, without smell, and shut up inside an empty bulb, should emit a beam with powers denied even to the solar ray.’  It is true these advantages were not secured all at once.  The Electric Light Company was unable to avail itself of the incandescent system for some time.  Founded in 1882, the company initiated an undertaking which has become of considerable importance to the town.  Soon after its formation, it applied to the Local Board for permission to carry its wires ‘over streets or over roofs of houses or in gas-tubing under streets for the purpose of carrying the electric light into the shops and houses of such ratepayers as may desire to use it.’  The company also asked the local authority if it was willing to try the ‘Brush Arc Light’ of 2,000 candle-power in a few selected parts of town.  Though there was some opposition, the request was grant by a majority of four and it was arranged that sixteen lamps should supersede ninety existing gas lamps. 

It is amusing to read the discussions of the Board respecting the new light.  It was stated the several companies were intending to compete with the original Eastbourne Company, that they would have the power to come and break up the roads, and could not be dislodged for twenty-one years.  A few members thought ‘the more the merrier,’ but others of a more serious turn of mind regarded the outlook with feelings far removed from equanimity, and the Clerk was instructed to watch the question in the interests of the Board.  The ‘watching’ was effectual; anyhow no rival company appeared on the scene.  With youthful ardour the company urged that the Board should allow them to light one or two streets.  But the Board, desiring above all things to appear fair, resolved to put the Gas Company on a similar footing.  Accordingly the Electric Light Company was asked to give a price for lighting up the route from the drinking fountain near the railway station to the top of Victoria Place; and the Gas Company to give a price for lighting the road from the Anchor Hotel to Mr. Dicker’s shop in South Street.  The Gas Company took offence, because, said one of the members, they had ‘had a nice thing for a long time, and did not want it taken away.’  So the company refused to give a price.  But an agreement was entered into with the rival company to light fourteen arc lamps in Devonshire Place, Terminus Road, and Seaside Road.  This arrangement was not carried out in its entirety, but Devonshire Place was actually lighted by the company for some time.  The direct current was at first employed, but this gave place to the alternating current, and along with it the system of incandescent lighting, the first place to be lit by the company being the new Town Hall.

As the pioneers of electric lighting on the south coast the company had frequently to pay heavily for their experience, for essentially it was an experimental company in its early days, and but for the assistance of capitalists introduced by Mr. Robert Hammond, the well-known consulting electrical engineer, under whose superintendence the company’s system was originally laid down, the undertaking might have collapsed.  After 1890 the company ‘turned a corner’ and began paying dividends, which in the year prior to its transference to the Corporation reached 10 per cent.  Many of the principal boroughs, including that of Dublin, and several of the London vestries visited Eastbourne to inspect the company’s operations, and at the opening of the works in Junction Road in 1885 the Chinese Ambassador, the Marquess T’Seng, was present. 

The original directors were Mr. George Boulton (chairman) and Messrs. J. G. Langham, Wm. Routledge, Caleb Diplock, and J. A. Skinner; and from the incorporation of the company Mr. Henry Towner acted as secretary and accountant. Latterly Mr. H. W. Wilkinson was the electrical engineer.  Since the undertaking came into the hands of the Town Council, it has been found necessary to erect new works at Roselands.

EHL231. Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. 2 Moatcroft Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: mostly.case.logs

 

An atmospheric night time photograph!

Grace’s Guide: Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. 

c.1883 Established the first system of district electric lighting in the UK using underground mains. 

c.1883 The Lowrie-Hall system of electric lighting, using the Goulard-Gibbs transformer (otherwise spelled as Gaulard-Gibbs), was deployed by Hammond & Co (Electrical Engineers) for Eastbourne Electric Lighting Co; Mr William Lowrie was the chief engineer of Hammond and Co.

By 1889 mains of 20 miles length were in use.

From ‘Bygone Eastbourne’ by J. C. Wright published in 1912 the following chapter titled ‘The Pioneer of Electricity on the South Coast’ is reproduced in full: -

The inhabitant of old Eastbourne as he chatted in the chimney-corner during the dark days of winter and lit himself to bed by the aid of a farthing rushlight did not dream that posterity should possess a light which ‘without heat, without smoke, without smell, and shut up inside an empty bulb, should emit a beam with powers denied even to the solar ray.’  It is true these advantages were not secured all at once.  The Electric Light Company was unable to avail itself of the incandescent system for some time.  Founded in 1882, the company initiated an undertaking which has become of considerable importance to the town.  Soon after its formation, it applied to the Local Board for permission to carry its wires ‘over streets or over roofs of houses or in gas-tubing under streets for the purpose of carrying the electric light into the shops and houses of such ratepayers as may desire to use it.’  The company also asked the local authority if it was willing to try the ‘Brush Arc Light’ of 2,000 candle-power in a few selected parts of town.  Though there was some opposition, the request was grant by a majority of four and it was arranged that sixteen lamps should supersede ninety existing gas lamps. 

It is amusing to read the discussions of the Board respecting the new light.  It was stated the several companies were intending to compete with the original Eastbourne Company, that they would have the power to come and break up the roads, and could not be dislodged for twenty-one years.  A few members thought ‘the more the merrier,’ but others of a more serious turn of mind regarded the outlook with feelings far removed from equanimity, and the Clerk was instructed to watch the question in the interests of the Board.  The ‘watching’ was effectual; anyhow no rival company appeared on the scene.  With youthful ardour the company urged that the Board should allow them to light one or two streets.  But the Board, desiring above all things to appear fair, resolved to put the Gas Company on a similar footing.  Accordingly the Electric Light Company was asked to give a price for lighting up the route from the drinking fountain near the railway station to the top of Victoria Place; and the Gas Company to give a price for lighting the road from the Anchor Hotel to Mr. Dicker’s shop in South Street.  The Gas Company took offence, because, said one of the members, they had ‘had a nice thing for a long time, and did not want it taken away.’  So the company refused to give a price.  But an agreement was entered into with the rival company to light fourteen arc lamps in Devonshire Place, Terminus Road, and Seaside Road.  This arrangement was not carried out in its entirety, but Devonshire Place was actually lighted by the company for some time.  The direct current was at first employed, but this gave place to the alternating current, and along with it the system of incandescent lighting, the first place to be lit by the company being the new Town Hall.

As the pioneers of electric lighting on the south coast the company had frequently to pay heavily for their experience, for essentially it was an experimental company in its early days, and but for the assistance of capitalists introduced by Mr. Robert Hammond, the well-known consulting electrical engineer, under whose superintendence the company’s system was originally laid down, the undertaking might have collapsed.  After 1890 the company ‘turned a corner’ and began paying dividends, which in the year prior to its transference to the Corporation reached 10 per cent.  Many of the principal boroughs, including that of Dublin, and several of the London vestries visited Eastbourne to inspect the company’s operations, and at the opening of the works in Junction Road in 1885 the Chinese Ambassador, the Marquess T’Seng, was present. 

The original directors were Mr. George Boulton (chairman) and Messrs. J. G. Langham, Wm. Routledge, Caleb Diplock, and J. A. Skinner; and from the incorporation of the company Mr. Henry Towner acted as secretary and accountant. Latterly Mr. H. W. Wilkinson was the electrical engineer.  Since the undertaking came into the hands of the Town Council, it has been found necessary to erect new works at Roselands.

EHL64. Eastbourne Water Works Air Valve Sign. Compton Place Road (No18), Eastbourne. what3words location: pull.teeth.goad

Cast iron wall plate on the boundary wall of the property facing the road between lamppost No14 and gateway to the house.  The original access cover is in the road directly opposite the plate and is marked ‘AV.’

A late Victorian/early Edwardian Air Valve plate that would have been used to indicate where access to the valve could be located under the road surface.  Air valves were used to release air pockets that could become trapped at high points of the water supply mains.  This one is at the apex of Compton Place Road before it turns the corner and drops back down towards Borough Lane.  It would have been installed at the same time as the adjacent Main Cock plate. 

EHL153. Fire Hydrant sign. Lismore Road above the Cancer Research shop, Eastbourne. what3words location: rust.crazy.muddy

Enamelled steel-plate sign indicating the location of a fire hydrant.  Date pre 1938.

2018 article by M. Beale on the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service website: ‘In the late 1800s the fire hydrant was invented.  This large valve could be fitted into a water main and was available for fire-fighters to use.  They were mainly fitted under the surface of a pavement or road. Hydrants rapidly replaced the old Fire Plug system all over the country.  Although many areas still used the term ‘fire-plug’ for the hydrants, eventually the term Fire Hydrant became universal.  This led to the replacement of the old ‘FP’ plaques with plaques on which a large letter ‘H’ was marked.  The plaques varied considerably according to the local water companies supplying the water mains.  There was no standardisation.  In the London area, including the Metropolitan parts of Essex, hydrant plaques were standardised in the 1930s.  Metal plates were used with 6” sides.  They were white with blue lettering if they were attached to dark surfaces, or blue with white letters if they were attached to light coloured backgrounds.  A diamond shaped plate denoted that the hydrant was immediately below and in front of the plate.  A square plate indicated that the hydrant was on the opposite side of the road.  A further modification to the system took place in 1938 and that was to add the distance the hydrant was from the plate.  It was eventually decided that black lettering on a yellow background was the most suitable colouring for hydrant plates as it could be spotted in all lighting conditions. This then became the standard method for locating hydrants throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.’

My Comment: I would suggest that, in Eastbourne at least, the following applied: white background with blue H indicated hydrant directly below, whilst white background with red H indicated hydrant on other side of the road as this is where I found the actual hydrants in relation to the wall signs.

EHL154. Fire Hydrant sign. 4 Grove Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: debate.sculpture.fumes

Above the Mind charity shop.

Enamelled steel-plate sign indicating the location of a fire hydrant.  Date pre 1938.

2018 article by M. Beale on the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service website: ‘In the late 1800s the fire hydrant was invented.  This large valve could be fitted into a water main and was available for fire-fighters to use.  They were mainly fitted under the surface of a pavement or road. Hydrants rapidly replaced the old Fire Plug system all over the country.  Although many areas still used the term ‘fire-plug’ for the hydrants, eventually the term Fire Hydrant became universal.  This led to the replacement of the old ‘FP’ plaques with plaques on which a large letter ‘H’ was marked.  The plaques varied considerably according to the local water companies supplying the water mains.  There was no standardisation.  In the London area, including the Metropolitan parts of Essex, hydrant plaques were standardised in the 1930s.  Metal plates were used with 6” sides.  They were white with blue lettering if they were attached to dark surfaces, or blue with white letters if they were attached to light coloured backgrounds.  A diamond shaped plate denoted that the hydrant was immediately below and in front of the plate.  A square plate indicated that the hydrant was on the opposite side of the road.  A further modification to the system took place in 1938 and that was to add the distance the hydrant was from the plate.  It was eventually decided that black lettering on a yellow background was the most suitable colouring for hydrant plates as it could be spotted in all lighting conditions. This then became the standard method for locating hydrants throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.’

My Comment: I would suggest that, in Eastbourne at least, the following applied: white background with blue H indicated hydrant directly below, whilst white background with red H indicated hydrant on other side of the road as this is where I found the actual hydrants in relation to the wall signs.

 

EHL152. Fire Hydrant sign. St. Aubyn's Road at the junction with Seaside, Eastbourne. what3words location: debate.sculpture.fumes

 

Enamelled steel-plate sign indicating the location of a fire hydrant.  Date pre 1938.

2018 article by M. Beale on the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service website: ‘In the late 1800s the fire hydrant was invented.  This large valve could be fitted into a water main and was available for fire-fighters to use.  They were mainly fitted under the surface of a pavement or road. Hydrants rapidly replaced the old Fire Plug system all over the country.  Although many areas still used the term ‘fire-plug’ for the hydrants, eventually the term Fire Hydrant became universal.  This led to the replacement of the old ‘FP’ plaques with plaques on which a large letter ‘H’ was marked.  The plaques varied considerably according to the local water companies supplying the water mains.  There was no standardisation.  In the London area, including the Metropolitan parts of Essex, hydrant plaques were standardised in the 1930s.  Metal plates were used with 6” sides.  They were white with blue lettering if they were attached to dark surfaces, or blue with white letters if they were attached to light coloured backgrounds.  A diamond shaped plate denoted that the hydrant was immediately below and in front of the plate.  A square plate indicated that the hydrant was on the opposite side of the road.  A further modification to the system took place in 1938 and that was to add the distance the hydrant was from the plate.  It was eventually decided that black lettering on a yellow background was the most suitable colouring for hydrant plates as it could be spotted in all lighting conditions. This then became the standard method for locating hydrants throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.’

My Comment: I would suggest that, in Eastbourne at least, the following applied: white background with blue H indicated hydrant directly below, whilst white background with red H indicated hydrant on other side of the road as this is where I found the actual hydrants in relation to the wall signs.

EHL229. Fire Plug cast iron wall plate. Location: 40 Bedford Grove, Eastbourne. what3words location: choice.events.tummy

Fire Plug wall plate c1900.  It has been painted yellow and black as per the ‘modern’ colour scheme.

According to many online and written sources the term ‘Fire Plug’ comes from the age of early water mains in larger towns and cities, which were made of hollowed-out wooden tree trunks.  These sources state that holes were cut (approximately 2” diameter) when water was required for fire-fighting purposes, and re-plugged afterwards, but it seems strange that fire-fighters would have the time to dig down to a mains pipe and cut a hole prior to tackling the fire itself.  It seems more likely, as with London after the Great Fire of 1666, that Fire Plugs were pre-installed and ‘extended above ground.’  Whichever method was used, it is true to say that the term ‘Fire Plug’ was used extensively from the Victorian era onwards.  As the ‘new’ cast iron pipes were laid, valves were placed at regular intervals and a metal plate marked ‘F.P.’ (Fire Plug) would then be fixed nearby to indicate an access point for future use in fighting fires.  The ‘F.P.’ plates were later replaced with plates marked ‘H’ for Hydrant, although some of the original ‘F.P.’ plates can still be found, as in this example. The design of the ‘new’ plates varied considerably according to the local water companies supplying the water mains and there was no standardisation until 1938 onwards.  The current signs take the form of a capital ‘H’ in black on a yellow background.  The figure in the upper section is the diameter of the water mains pipe in either inches or millimetres, and the figure in the lower section is the distance from the sign (or plate) in feet or metres.  From 1975 the old imperial signs were to be replaced by local government authorities at their own expense to the new metric versions, but there are still many of the old signs still to be found in Eastbourne, and due cost it is unlikely the remaining imperial ones will ever be changed.