Crawford Street Chemical Works
Location type
WorksName and dates
Crawford Street Chemical Works (1851-1964)Description
This chemical works was noted for Townsend's Stalk, the highest chimney in the World on completion. The works manufactured chemicals for agriculture including fertilisers. It was built for Joseph Townsend and based around Crawford Street (now Townsend Street) in Port Dundas. It was to the south of the Mid Wharf. Also known as Port Dundas Chemical Works - although another works of the same name was on Spiers Wharf North.
The chimney was built in 1857-1859, becoming the tallest chimney in the World by eclipsing the nearby St Rollox Chemical Works's Tennant's Stalk of 435.5 ft (ground level to top). The height of the Townsend's Stalk was 468 ft from base of foundations to top and 454 ft from ground level. So high was the chimney that it featured in postcards views. It was bent by storm damage during construction and required straightening. To mark completion the public were invited to take the view from the top.
The chimney ceased to be the tallest in the World in 1885. The chimney was demolished in 1927. The works closed in ~1964.
There was no railway siding but the Port Dundas Branch (Caledonian Railway) was nearby with a goods shed at Port Dundas Goods [CR] on North Spiers Wharf.
Tags
Chemical WorksAliases
Townsend Chemical Works Port Dundas Chemical Works [Townsend]| Nearby stations Buchanan Street Cowcaddens [Subway] Glasgow (Townhead) Glasgow Queen Street Low Level Glasgow Queen Street High Level Buchanan Street [Subway] St Georges Cross [Subway] St Rollox [2nd] Glasgow Central Charing Cross [GC and DR] Cowlairs High Street Glasgow Central Low Level College [1st] Argyle Street | Port Dundas Goods [CR] Port Dundas Swing Bridge Port Dundas Chemical Works Port Dundas Mid Wharf Port Dundas Engine Works Hamburgh Wharf [Port Dundas] Port Dundas Basin Bergius Engineering Works London Wharf [Port Dundas] Leith Wharf [Port Dundas] Rotterdam Wharf [Port Dundas] Port Dundas Distillery Sidings Carron Wharf [Port Dundas] Tourist/other Dundashill Distillery Port Dundas Distillery |
| Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. | |
High Chimney Stalks1859 Crawford Street Chemical Works Townsend's Stalk * Ground to cope 454 ft. Foundations to cope 468ft. Contractor McIntyre. 1842 St Rollox Chemical Works Tennant's Stalk * Ground to cope 435.5 ft. Foundations to cope 455.5 ft. Contractor Robert Corbett, Glasgow. 1847 Edinburgh Gas Works New Street Stalk Ground to cope 329 ft. Foundations to cope 341.5 f. Stonework James Gowans, Edinburgh. Stone from Craigleith, Humbie and Hailes. Brickwork James Bow, Pollokshields. Bricks from Portobello Brick and Tile Works. Rubble from demolition used in the concrete of the Granton Gas Works. ? Camperdown Jute and Hemp Works (Cox Brothers, Lochee) Ground to cope 282 ft. Foundations to cope 296 ft. ? Coltness Iron Works Ground to top 210 ft. ? Dens Works (Baxter Brothers, Lower Dens, Dundee) (Three chimneys) Ground to top 174 ft. Foundations to top 193 ft 1873 Saracen Foundry (Walter MacFarlane & Co, Possil Park) Ground to top 130 ft. Foundations to top 140.5 ft 1862 Saracen Foundry (Walter MacFarlane & Co, Washington Street, Glasgow) Ground to top 105 ft. * Tallest in the World on completion. |
