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Gretna, Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Acids Section, Building
Building (First World War)
Site Name Gretna, Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Acids Section, Building
Classification Building (First World War)
Canmore ID 375198
Site Number NY26SW 38.53
NGR NY 25005 64912
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/375198
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Dornock
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Annandale And Eskdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
Field Visit (11 May 2022)
Canmore ID 375198
Site Number NY26SW 38.53
NGR NY 25005 64912
The thorn-, moss- and grass-grown foundations of a small building are situated in dense deciduous scrub woodland about 2m SSW of the chimneystack linked by flues (NY26SW 38.30) to the Gas Producers plant (NY26SW 38.29). It was rectangular on plan and measured about 14m from WNW to ESE by 2.5m transversely within brick walls 0.25m in thickness and 0.4m in height.
The location of the building is shown on the plan given within a Ministry of Munitions of War report (MMW 1919, plan) held in the National Archives, Kew, outlining the processes involved in the manufacture of the cordite propellant during the First World War at H.M. Factory, Gretna (Site 3, Eastriggs). Its function is uncertain, but it may possibly have enclosed a pair of blow casks provided as an emergency back-up to the fans in the Gas Producers plant (see NY26SW 38.32). An undated map (SUPP10-39) held by the National Archives at Kew suggests that it was originally no more than about half its later length and this is confirmed by comparison between two ground-based, contemporary official photographs taken during and after construction that are also held at Kew (MUN 5-297 pt3, 389; MUN 5-297 pt5, 717). The building was initially constructed as a single bay, single storey structure with a ridge roof. There was a window in its ESE gable above which was situated a small square vent. When subsequently extended to the ESE, a taller and narrower window was installed in this gable.
The building formed part of Lot 508, which was offered for sale by auction on 22-25 July 1924 (H.M. Treasury 1924, 101), when the lot was purchased by J. M. Temple, Blackhills, Eastriggs and partly by Messrs James Jackson & Co Ltd, St Vincent Street, Glasgow (Carlisle City Archives, DX 2040/3). After its removal from the site, its 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), 11 May 2022.
