Explosion History
Following a series of major gunpowder accidents across the empire, the decision was taken to move the site of the existing magazine from square tower in Portsmouth as it was perceived to be at risk due to its location and from 5 points raised in a series of petitions in 1764. In 1750, 40 acres of land owned by Jane Priddy at Hardway, Gosport had been purchased by the Board of Ordinance. On this site, work began on construction of earthen ramparts as part of an extension to the existing defences of Portsmouth Harbour. This was completed in 1757 and the enclosed land became Priddy’s Hard fort, and was manned by the Army. Following the petitions, in was decided in 1764 that this land would be used to construct a new powder depot for the Royal Navy.
Construction began in 1771, and was completed in 1777. Why it took 6 Years to complete is not known. Work to transport the gunpowder to the new magazine commenced on the 2nd May 1777. There were initially plans for 2 additional magazines on the site, but these were cancelled due to proximity of the Weevil Victualling Yard. The original storage proved inadequate, so additional hulks storing powder were anchored in Portsmouth harbour, endangering surrounding warships, but thankfully, no disaster occurred. In 1771, work started on the grand magazine and cooperage, with a view to loading the magazine from a rolling-way on the foreshore, but in the end a camber basin was constructed to enable the lighters to unload at the rear of the magazine. By 1846, the site comprised of the powder magazine, built to store 6,222 100lb barrels, although the majority of powder was dispersed through a series of satellite magazines in the surrounding area. Additionally, this contained an office for the foreman, shoehouse and pumphouse. Two shifting houses were here, for civilian workers and army guards, an inner and outer rolling way to the magazine, a connecting store, the camber basin, four demi-bastions, three storehouses, two fire engine houses, a boathouse, guardhouse, ferryman’s lodge (demolished in the 1960’s), a house for Works overseer (demolished in the 1950’s), houses for storekeepers, foreman of labourers, cooper and coxswain, and apartments for the established clerk, and office keeper. At this time Priddy’s Hard was still under the control of the Board of Ordinance. In 1805, the grand magazine was used to store gunpowder delivered from Waltham Abbey. This was transported to the Trafalgar Fleet via the Camber Basin. Ammunition from the stores at Priddy’s Hard was still being used up until the Falklands conflict.
In the 19th Century, additional buildings were constructed on the site, as listed below.
1848 - First Royal Laboratory Complex (Including Office Building and Officer's Quarters.
1861 - "C" Powder (60 Tons) Magazine. Around this time, the fortifications were additionally strengthened.
1866 - Six Shell Filling Rooms.
1879 - "E" Powder (500 Tons) Magazine.
1886 - Shell Filling Rooms.
1887 - Unheading Room.
1888 - Shell Filling Room.
1889 - QF Cartridge Storehouse.
1898 - QF Cartridge Storehouse.
1900 - Proof House.
1900 - QF Cartridge Storehouse.
1900 - Dry Guncotton (50 Tons) Magazine.
1900 - Wet Guncotton (360 Tons) Magazine.
1901 - Mine Storehouse & Exam Rooms.
1900 - 1906 - Cordite Magazines 454, 357 & 358.
1901 - Twelve Cartridge Rooms.
1902 - Room for the Conversion of Dangerous Ammunition.
1904 - Shell Emptying Room.
We do know that there were some accidents here at the site.
Priddy’s Hard was decommissioned in 1988, when the last remaining stores and staff were relocated. In 2001, the site was opened again as Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower.
