Comments on: ‘Farting’ Lane Sewer Lamp

By: Gillian Wallis

Gillian Wallis — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:55:43 +0000

I work for a small 25 person civil engineering firm in Vancouver, Washington in the US. Every year we prepare a technical calendar to distribute free of charge to small cities in our area. This year our topic is streets, and we are doing a page on Street Lighting. I saw the image of a sewer gas lamp on your website, and wanted to ask if we might possibly use it on our calendar.

Please let me know if this would be a possibility. We would be happy to send you a copy if you’d like one.

Thanks very much for your time.

Ms. Gill Wallis
Direct: 360-852-9174
Office: 360-695-7041
gill.wallis@walliseng.net

By: digital microscope

digital microscope — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:25:49 +0000

Omg! I went to London and I passed by the lamp but I didnt know what was that smell around. Now that I go back in London in 2012 I will look at it more carefully

By: Peter Morgan

Peter Morgan — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:00:35 +0000

I visited this lamp on June 21st 2011. Took a number of photos including close ups using zoom lens which gave excellent image of mantles. I noticed prevailing smell in the area, so I presume sewer gas is significant player in its function. I wonder if it is glowing brighter following Savoys grand re-opening in October 2010 !

By: nederlands casino

nederlands casino — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:37:49 +0000

The lights were fed by gas from ordinary town and worked by creating intense heat in the hood who has pulled air from the sewers below, and burned all the impurities.

By: judy palaferro

judy palaferro — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:08:33 +0000

i am working on a children’s book and am looking for a shot of traditional lamp post from covent gardens.

i have a street performer in covent gardens and i am doing a collage of all things london and covent gardens, so i am busily seeking images.

i use the photos for reference then draw from them. if you can help with websites, etc please write to me. thank you.

By: Wilf Jessop

Wilf Jessop — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:47:29 +0000

As Nik Morton points out, the lamps were never actually powered by the sewer gas. The lamps were fed by the ordinary town gas supply and worked by creating an intense heat within the hood which drew the air from the sewers below and burned off any impurities. Sheffield had 84 of these lamps, erected between 1914 and 1935. At the last count 22 still remain, of which 3 are kept lit.