Building record MHG56993 - Generating Station/Pump House - Seabank Tank Farm, Invergordon

The generating station/pump house at Seabank Tank Farm, Invergordon.

The site was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. On WWI Naval plans in private possession, a large building labelled 'Pump House and Power Station' on one plan and 'Generating Station' on another is depicted. It was the larger of two generatng stations in Invergordon during WWI, the other being on Joss Street and linked by overhead cables. Brick built, with large doors, it is now in poor condition. The building was used to generate power, and later to pump oil to and from the tanks, until the 1980s. It still has large machinery. <1>

At least three versions of a WWI Naval plan survive, two in private collection which probably date to wartime, and one in the National Archives (MPI 1/641/4) which dates to 1921. On all three the buildings taken over or built by the Navy are shaded, but there are a few discrepancies between the plans. One of the plans in private collection has enlarged details, but only shows the Admiralty buildings and not others in the town. Valuation Rolls also indicate some buildings not shaded on our plans were taken over by the military. It is clear from contemporary photographs that the army built additional buildings, particularly north of Cromlet Drive. <2>