Ministry Of Defence Building L167 At Tl 3777 0112

ROYAL GUNPOWDER FACTORY TL3700 3/10008 MOD Building L167 at TL 3777 0112 GV II

Charcoal store, later converted into Reel Drying Stove. 1889, converted c1898. Flemish bond yellow brick with hipped roof. Rectangular plan: originally of 9 x 2 bays, with 7-bay room to north of 2-bay south end; truncated by removal of south room. One storey. Chamfered brick plinth, stepped brick cornice and chamfered abaci to pilasters which separate bays, each spanned by segmental arches over cast-iron framed windows and double doors to west elevation. Other elevations articulated in similar style. Blocked round openings indicate the position of entry for steam pipes. Interior noted as having iron roof trusses. Significant for its association with the manufacture of cordite, which Waltham had pioneered and which in the 1890s took over as the main services explosive. The incorporating mills (qv) switched over from the manufacture of gunpowder to cordite in 1898/9. The drying stove represents the next stage in the manufacturing process after pressing, when cordite was taken here to dry on racks before it was taken to the reeling house for winding. (RCHME report, 1993).

Listing NGR: TL3777001120