Discovery of a Large Supply of “Natural Gas” at Waldron, Sussex

THE discovery of this gas occurred accidentally while boring for water in the parish of Waldron, Sussex, The boring was commenced in the lower strata of the “Ashdown sand” (Hastings beds), and was continued to the depth of 377 feet, when the work was stopped. A strong smell of “gas” having been noticed, a light was applied to the top of the lining tube of the bore, and a flame immediately sprang up to the height of 15 or 16 feet, and burned with great fury until it was put out by means of damped cloths being thrown on to the top of the tube (Fig. 1).