Manufacturing Hazards
During the nineteenth century the manufacture of gunpowder at Ballincollig, and its transportation through Cork City, caused much concern and some fatal accidents. From the opening years of the century the hazards associated with transporting such a hazardous substance through busy streets were evident.
A number of accidents occurred in the mills early in the century. On 10 November 1803, two barrels of gunpowder exploded in the processing shed and five men perished in the blast. Five years later, on 25 August 1808 a ‘dreadful explosion’ at the mill claimed further lives. The shock waves from both of these blasts were clearly felt in Cork. But the city itself also experienced the dangers associated with gunpowder.
Read more about this topic: Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills