Irish Rambler
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2014
- Messages
- 1,811
- Location
- FRANCE
- Vessel Name
- 'Snow Mouse.'
- Vessel Make
- BROOM FLYBRIDGE 42.
Apologies for the smartass joke but this uploading problem is frustrating..
During WW1 the British forces were so short of ammunition the war with Germany was stalling and they could only defend themselves, this probably prolonged the war by a year with the resultant loss of life.
Something had to be done pdq and a minister was appointed to create the largest gunpowder factory the world has ever seen on the Scottish borders between Dumfries and Gretna Green and it was spread over 35 acres.
Production went up from 100 tons a week initially to 1,000 tonnes when the factory was at full production.
The name 'Devils Porridge' refers to the cotton waste and nitrates that, when mixed by hand resembled porridge.
Lets have a look around the museum.
Photo's.
1,2,3, Give homage to all the animals who also contributed greatly during the war.
4,6,7,8, This shunting engine was built to move the wagons between the labyrinth of tracks around the factory, the manufacturing buildings were spread over the 35 acre site so that if one accidentally blew up it would reduce the risk to the others.
Obviously a conventional coal fired engine couldn't be used because of the danger of sparks setting off an explosion so what they did was build a large pressure cylinder and mount it on a train chassis. It was charged with high pressure steam and driven like a conventional train. It could pull 5 fully loaded wagons and travel for 15 miles before needing to be recharged with steam.
The early version patchwork camouflage paint helped to fool any passing aircraft. Camouflage advanced greatly during the war like many inventions born of necessity.
The panels give a complete description of the builder etc.
9, This is a Rolls Royce Merlin engine and was used in a Hawker Hurricane.
10, Shell casing.
During WW1 the British forces were so short of ammunition the war with Germany was stalling and they could only defend themselves, this probably prolonged the war by a year with the resultant loss of life.
Something had to be done pdq and a minister was appointed to create the largest gunpowder factory the world has ever seen on the Scottish borders between Dumfries and Gretna Green and it was spread over 35 acres.
Production went up from 100 tons a week initially to 1,000 tonnes when the factory was at full production.
The name 'Devils Porridge' refers to the cotton waste and nitrates that, when mixed by hand resembled porridge.
Lets have a look around the museum.
Photo's.
1,2,3, Give homage to all the animals who also contributed greatly during the war.
4,6,7,8, This shunting engine was built to move the wagons between the labyrinth of tracks around the factory, the manufacturing buildings were spread over the 35 acre site so that if one accidentally blew up it would reduce the risk to the others.
Obviously a conventional coal fired engine couldn't be used because of the danger of sparks setting off an explosion so what they did was build a large pressure cylinder and mount it on a train chassis. It was charged with high pressure steam and driven like a conventional train. It could pull 5 fully loaded wagons and travel for 15 miles before needing to be recharged with steam.
The early version patchwork camouflage paint helped to fool any passing aircraft. Camouflage advanced greatly during the war like many inventions born of necessity.
The panels give a complete description of the builder etc.
9, This is a Rolls Royce Merlin engine and was used in a Hawker Hurricane.
10, Shell casing.
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