2-888-449 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Map - Scene of the Explosion of the Hounslow [Gun]Powder-Mill, 1850. 'It appears to be quite ascertained that the mischief commenced in what is called the "Treble Dusting-house," i. e. the house for "dusting" or cleansing sporting powder, which was situate on the eastern margin of a fir plantation, with a field of turnips on the one side of it and the wood oil the other....At half-past three o'clock in the afternoon, the first explosion, the noise of which resembled that following the discharge of a park of artillery, took place in one of these buildings. Immediately afterwards, a dense cloud of smoke was seen rising into the air; and before it had cleared away several bodies were observed to fall in sundry directions amongst the trees. Two explosions of greater violence than the first quickly followed, by which the roofs of the corning-houses were driven high into the air'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.