All 7 parts, explained
1. Powder barrels
Gunpowder was kept in small wooden barrels stacked on racks, so it stayed dry and could not roll.
Fun fact The barrels were held together with wooden or copper hoops, not iron, to avoid sparks.
2. Light room
The magazine has no lamp inside. Light shines in through a thick glass window from a separate small room next door.
Fun fact This way, no flame ever came near the gunpowder.
3. Heavy door
A thick wooden door with iron fittings keeps the magazine closed and locked.
Fun fact The magazine was built below the waterline, the safest place in the ship.
4. Gunner's crew
Only a few sailors worked here. They wore soft shoes and carried no metal tools that could make a spark.
Fun fact The gunner was the officer in charge of the cannons and the gunpowder.
5. Cases
Gunpowder left the magazine inside closed wooden or leather cases, so it was never carried in the open.
Fun fact Wet blankets could be hung at the doorway as an extra guard against sparks.
6. Wooden floor
The floor is a raised wooden grating that lets air move underneath and keeps the barrels off any damp.
Fun fact Damp gunpowder does not work, so keeping it dry was very important.
7. Gun deck
Up the ladders, the gun decks are where the cannons are kept.
Fun fact The magazine was far from the gun decks and their open gun ports.
