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Gretna, Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Acids Section, 95% Storage Tanks
Storage Tank(S) (First World War)
Site Name Gretna, Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Acids Section, 95% Storage Tanks
Classification Storage Tank(S) (First World War)
Alternative Name(s) Hm Factory Gretna Site 3
Canmore ID 375035
Site Number NY26SW 38.39
NGR NY 24858 64953
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/375035
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Dornock
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Annandale And Eskdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
Field Visit (26 January 2022)
Canmore ID: 375035
NY26SW 38.39
NY 24858 64953
A moss- and grass-grown concrete platform is situated in dense deciduous scrub woodland 3m NE of the more northerly flue associated with the chimney stack of Retort House South (NY26SW 38.12) and 7m WNW of the Retort house itself. It is rectangular on plan and measures 9m from NNE to SSW by 7.5m transversely and 0.5m in height.
The platform is shown on the plan of the works (MMW 1919, plan) given in the report by the Ministry of Munitions of War outlining the processes involved in the manufacture of the cordite propellant during the First World War at H.M. Factory, Gretna (Site 3). An undated plan (SUPP 10-39) held in the National Archives at Kew identifies it as the site of Tanks. A blueprint (SUPP 10-27, 3802), also held at Kew, shows that these tanks contained 95% Sulphuric Acid (see also MMDES 1920, 98-9) and that there was one battery of such tanks for each of the Retort Houses (see NY26SW 38.11, 38.12).
These foundations fell into lot 507, which was offered for sale by auction on 22-5 July 1924 (HM Treasury 1924, 101). The lot was bought by Messrs James Jackson & Co Ltd, St Vincent Street, Glasgow (Carlisle City Archives, DX 2040/3). After the removal of the tanks from the site, only the foundations were left in place and these are readily visible on an aerial photograph (M124/13 04117) flown on 19 August 1940.
Visited by HES Heritage Recording (MMD and ATW), 26 January 2022.
