Imagine being in the same (small) building as 10,400 barrels of gunpowder…
A gunpowder magazine, by Terry Freedman
This is the Purfleet Heritage Museum, in Essex. It’s housed in what was originally a place for storing and testing gunpowder. As it states on the museum’s website:
[This is} Magazine No.5 of what was once the Royal Magazine for Gunpowder situated on the banks of the River Thames. Constructed in 1759, the five magazines and Proof House were used to test, store and supply gunpowder to the army and navy, being exceptionally busy during the Napoleonic wars. Each magazine could hold 10,400 barrels of gunpowder which increased to 10,800 barrels in times of emergency.
I don’t think I should have liked to work there!