Keeping Powder Dry and Safe

In the 1800s, a fort's effectiveness depended heavily on its gunpowder supply, so keeping powder dry and preventing explosions were essential. This powder magazine was built with wooden floors and walls to prevent sparks, along with vents and raised flooring to improve air circulation. Its arch was designed to support a thick roof of protective concrete. Had this magazine and four others planned for the parade ground been completed, they would have supplied powder to warships using the anchorage. The 32 magazines built within the fort's walls stored powder for the fort's guns, and the detached magazines would have supplemented them if necessary. Powder barrels were not supposed to be rolled, but carried by hand-barrows or slings made of rope or leather. The visible foundations would have supported this magazine's first floor.