Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower

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Explosion! is The Museum of Naval Firepower situated in the former Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Priddy's Hard, in Gosport, Hampshire, England.

"The multi award winning museum tells the story of naval firepower from Gunpowder to the Exocet missile. The museum is housed in a group of listed buildings which centre around the original powder magazine of 1777. These sit on the edge of a delightful camber basin on the western shore of Portsmouth Harbour, with views across to Portchester Castle, Whale Island and the Naval Base.

Explosion! traces the development of naval armaments from gunpowder to the Exocet missile...but the museum is not just about big bangs!

The displays explore the 18th century origins of Priddy's Hard, its historic buildings and earthworks, bringing alive the site's rich history.

There's a fascinating social history too, including the story of how 2,500 women worked on the site during its peak in World War II. It describes the role that Priddy's Hard played in naval operations worldwide for over 200 years, as well as its importance to the local Gosport community, which not only armed the Navy but also fed and watered it."

The museum's extensive and unique collection was mostly assembled by superintendents of the former Naval Armaments Depot at Priddy's Hard. If it hadn't been for their foresight, a large slice of naval history would have been lost. Thanks to their efforts the museum boasts an extensive collection which includes small arms, cannon and guns, shells and munitions, mines, torpedoes and modern missiles. There's even an atom bomb, whose ominous hulk meets visitors on arrival.

But alongside the hardware, Explosion! tells a human story - of the designers, makers, seamen and thousands of female munitions workers who worked with these armaments over the centuries. From the beginning of exhibition, where a simulated locker room reveals Priddy's Hard through the eyes of those who worked there, visitors experience a real sense of the lives which this amazing story has touched.

Throughout the exhibition, the exhibits are brought to life with dramatic audio-visual effects and scene-setting, computer interactives and hands-on displays.

Explosion! is a modern museum providing a complete visitor experience with a full range of facilities and access for all visitors. There is a gift shop books and souvenirs and a coffee shop with magnificent views of Portsmouth Harbour.

The galleries and displays which have been created represent a first phase of development for the museum. It is intended that later phases will be developed using the buildings which currently house the extensive reserve collections opposite the Grand Magazine and the impressive 'E'-magazine, sited in the ramparts and reputedly constructed from no less than three million bricks.

Explosion! was created for £3.5 million pounds which was funded by the Millennium Commission as part of the Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour Millennium Scheme."

[edit] Priddy's Hard

Explosion! is part of 22 acre Heritage Area acquired by Gosport Borough Council from the MoD in the mid 1990's. The Heritage Area is made up of parkland and historic buildings.

Priddy's Hard is linked to the main A32 by a new access road, and a new pedestrian bridge, funded by Millennium Commission grant, which connects the site to the rest of the Gosport waterfront and the town centre, carrying the Millennium Promenade which runs for 3km to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.

[edit] The Future

The museum is currently run by Gosport Borough Council, but could soon be taken over by a volunteer group to save the council £152,000 a year, which means all staff could be made redundant.

"The council wants to save itself £152,000 a year by cutting the subsidy to the museum, which has repeatedly failed to attract visitors despite having an award-winning collection." - Taken from 'The News' 27/01/07

[edit] External links

• Explosion!, The Museum of Naval Firepower