Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The first Guncotton Factory in the world was constructed at the Marsh Works, bewteen Faversham and Oare, in October 1846. It was destroyed by an explosion the following July and not rebuilt. No surface remains were identified in 1991.

Monument Types

• GUNPOWDER WORKS (Exploded 1847, Post Medieval - 1846 AD to 1847 AD)

Full description

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By October 1846 John Hall and Son had acquired the English patent for the manufacture of guncotton and commenced to build a factory for its production at the Marsh Gunpowder Works. Reputed to have been the first guncotton factory in the world. Production was brought to a halt by a disastrous explosion on 14 July 1847, in which some 20 people lost their lives. The remaining stocks of guncotton were buried on the site, production was not restrarted. (1) The precise location of this factory is unknown, no surface remains were identified during the field visit (1). Additional references to site include (2,3). Site photograph (4).

In 2019 an historic building recording of the former Marsh Gunpowder Works buildings now situated within the former Oare Mineral Works, Faversham, Kent was completed in advance of works to the designated and non- designated heritage assets. (5)

Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England, 1994, The Marsh Gunpowder Works (Unpublished document). SWX6964.

Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England, 1994, The Marsh Gunpowder Works (Unpublished document). SWX6964.

<1> Wayne Cocroft/21-NOV-1991/RCHME: Faversham's Explosives Industry. (OS Card Reference). SKE51280.

<2> Percival, A J. 1986. Faversham's Gunpowder Industry Faversham Paper. No 4. Faversham (OS Card Reference). SKE48508.

<3> RCHME/NMR, 1996, RCHME : Faversham Explosives Industry (Collection). SKE6479.

<4> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9616.

<5> Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd, 2019, Historic Building Recording of the Marsh Gunpowder Works within the Former Oare Mineral Works, Faversham, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE54278.

Sources and further reading

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