Glass plate mono negative

A BIG TOWING ORDER A huge Fractioning column , over 83 feet high by 10 ft . 4 ins in diameter , and weighing more than 108 tons - the work of a South London engineering firm was filled with air and lowered into the Thames at Woolwich ( London ) for towing down river en - route to Rotterdam via the North Sea . The column is an important part of a new plant which will improve the octane number ( i.e. anti - Knock quality ) of petrol . PICTURE SHOWS :- The Fractioning Column being towed down the river at Woolwich by a tug at the first stage of its journey to Rotterdam . 3 April 1949