PY4072

Woolwich Arsenal circa 1750: the Laboratory pumps Long Caption: Gunpowder ingredients are mixed wet requiring a good supply of water. The man on the left, carrying a full bucket into the building behind, is wearing the uniform cap and light protective overall coat seen in others of these drawings, with the identifying number 'L. No. 55' on the back. The pump to the front has a two-man handle, though with only one man using it. Its short spout is closed by a stopper apparently allowing it to deliver water to the cistern behind through the lead pipe rising from the ground by the man to the rear drinking a mug of water. The Royal Laboratory at Woolwich was constructed in 1696 for the purpose of manufacturing ammunition, fuses and gunpowder. It was formally renamed the Royal Arsenal in 1805. This drawing is one of 11 by the same unidentified hand of which the object numbers are non-sequential. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: PAH4072 Artist: unknown Date: circa 1750 Medium: watercolour Size: 380 mm x 562 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.