Duddell Street Gas lamps – last working gas street lamps in Hong Kong

“The exact year in which the flight of grantite steps at the southern end of Duddell Street in Central was constructed is not known, but a series of maps of Hong Kong from the period indicate that they came into existence between 1875 and 1889. According to the records of the Hong Kong and China Gas Co., the four gas lamps at the top and bottom of the steps have been the only surviving working gas street lamps in Hong Kong since 1967.

Two-light Rochester models made by Suggs and Co., the gas lamps were designed in a shorter length than was standard at the time in order to allow them to be mounted on the parapets of the steps. Originally lit manually, they are now operated automatically.” (1)

Incidentally Duddell Street is named after George Duddell who was a Government auctioneer.

The image shown on the Home Page comes courtesy of gwulo.com

See:

1. Duddell Street steps and gas lamps on gwulo.com
2. What’s the History of the Duddell Street Gas Lamps? SCMP 11th November 2015
3. Heritage gas lamps that ‘witnessed Hong Kong’s development’ remain in disrepair after Typhoon Mangkhut SCMP 30th December 2018
4. Hong Kong’s historic gas lamps along Duddell Steps reinstalled 15 months after they were shattered by Typhoon Mangkhut SCMP 29th December 2019

This article was first posted on 2nd November 2017.

Related Indhhk articles:

1. William Sugg & Company, London – manufacturer of the Duddell Street Gas lamps, Central
2. The Hongkong and China Gas Company Ltd – early history from 1860s
3. The Hongkong and China Gas Company Ltd – explosion 14th May 1934, 42 killed
4. The Hongkong and China Gas Company Ltd / Towngas – 150th Anniversary 2012 – superb photographs

Related Indhhk articles:

1. William Sugg Company, London – manufacturer of the Duddell Street Gas lamps?