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Monument record TQ 77 SE 231 - Lower Upnor Ordnance Depot
Summary
Early 19th century magazine and ordnance depot, Upnor. Built in a former gravel quarry the depot was constructed in c. 1813 to hold and test gunpowder. It replaced an earlier store south of Upnor Castle which itself replaced the Castle as a gunpowder store. The depot comprised 'A' magazine (with its ancilliary structures), and subsequently 'B' magazine which had capacity for 23,000 barrels of powder. In 1862 a new shell store was built north of 'B' magazine. The depot was placed under the control of the Admiralty in the 1880s and was known as Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD) Upnor. By 1884 the site had an extensive internal railway system and was linked externally to Chattenden. In 1895 it was further extended with a guncotton shop. At about the same time the site was extended to the north for a new shell store, mine store and offices. New shell filling rooms were constructed in 1909 and additional sheds built during the First World War. By 1964 the site was no longer needed and most buildings were demolished. Today 'B' magazine, the traverse to the former shifting house and a First World War sentry post survive.
Location
Grid reference | Centred TQ 7590 7082 (274m by 441m) |
---|---|
Map sheet | TQ77SE |
County | KENT |
Civil Parish | FRINDSBURY EXTRA, MEDWAY, KENT |
Unitary Authority | MEDWAY |
Map
Type and Period (6)
- ORDNANCE DEPOT (Post Medieval to Modern - 1813 AD? to 1964 AD?)
- MAGAZINE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1813 AD? to 1964 AD?)
- MAGAZINE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1862 AD to 1964 AD)
- RAILWAY (Post Medieval to Modern - 1884 AD to 1964 AD)
- MAGAZINE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1895 AD to 1964 AD)
- OFFICE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1895 AD to 1964 AD)
Full Description
<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2006, An Archaeological evaluation at the R.S.M.E. Engineering Park, Lower Upnor, Medway, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE32452.
<2> David Evans, 01/01/06, Arming the Fleet (Article in monograph). SKE14478.
<3> RAF, 1950, RAF 58/482 5142-5143 5-JUN-1950 (Photograph). SKE55983.
<4> Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ7570 21-APR-2007 (Photograph). SKE55984.
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SKE32452 Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 2006. An Archaeological evaluation at the R.S.M.E. Engineering Park, Lower Upnor, Medway, Kent.
- <2> SKE14478 Article in monograph: David Evans. 01/01/06. Arming the Fleet.
- <3> SKE55983 Photograph: RAF. 1950. RAF 58/482 5142-5143 5-JUN-1950. RAF 58/482 5142-5143 5-JUN-1950.
- <4> SKE55984 Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ7570 21-APR-2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ7570 21-APR-2007.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Related Monuments/Buildings (5)
- Parent of: BUILDING LU001 (FORMER B MAGAZINE), UPNOR DEPOT (Listed Building) (TQ 77 SE 187)
- Parent of: Naval Railway, Lower Upnor, Frindsbury Extra (Monument) (TQ 77 SE 136)
- Parent of: Traverse to former Shifting House, Lower Upnor Ordnance Depot (Listed Building) (TQ 77 SE 199)
- Parent of: WALL EXTENDING NE FROM UPNOR CASTLE ALONG THE RIVER MEDWAY (Listed Building) (TQ 77 SE 188)
- Parent of: WWI Sentry Post at the Lower Upnor Ordnance Depot (Listed Building) (TQ 77 SE 198)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- Intrusive Event: An Archaeological evaluation at the R.S.M.E. Engineering Park, Lower Upnor, Medway, Kent (Ref: LUD-EV-06) (EKE17097)
Record last edited
Apr 30 2024 3:40PM