Explosion Museum Investigation
Gosport
3rd October 2009

Introduction
Photographs
Team Reports
Team 1
Team 2
Members Views

Introduction

Explosion Museum History

The untimely deaths that have happened at Priddys Hard have been as a result of accidental explosions and in one case an “unnatural” gust of wind, rumoured to be the evil spirit of a convict labourer who died in the same spot. Sightings of many of the past unfortunate souls have been rumoured by former workers of the Royal Navy Armaments Depot over the years including more recently security guards that have looked after the listed buildings.
In 1750 the Board of Ordnance purchased 40 acres of agricultural land from Jane Priddy (the area is known as Priddys Hard) and others to construct an earth rampart as part of the defences of Portsmouth Harbour and the Dockyard. The defences, which included two demi-bastions, a moat and a covered way, were completed in 1756. Soon afterwards, the Board decided to relocate the gunpowder stores from Portsmouth to Priddys Hard for safety reasons and in 1771 a magazine, office and cooperage were constructed with an adjoining camber basin on land within the ramparts. Officer's houses and large gardens were added in 1777. As the Navy grew in size and importance, Priddys Hard Royal Naval Armaments Depot was one of a network of ordnance yards and gunwharfs established close to the Royal Dockyards to supply war ships with their guns, ammunition and associated services.
In 1805 the Grand Magazine on the site was used to store Gunpowder that was delivered to Priddys Hard from Waltham Abbey. Gunpowder was transported from this Magazine to the Trafalgar Fleet via a Camber Dock, the Fleet included Nelson's Flagship HMS Victory. Later in the century an office building and houses for the officers, workers cottages, a cooperage and stables were added. During the Napoleonic Wars the magazine complex was extended and in 1848 a laboratory complex was built to the south of the office block specifically for testing the quality and condition of gunpowder.
Between 1850 and 1860 as a result of the technological advances of the industrial revolution, breech loading guns and iron-clad warships were developed. In 1860 HMS Warrior and HMS Black Prince were launched, iron ships armed with Sir William Armstrong's breech loading guns. In 1861 "C" Magazine was built and in 1879 the largest magazine, "E" Magazine was built. During the 1860s the fortifications were strengthened incorporating brick gateways, carponniers and or covered firing positions to cover the moats, Armstrong guns were fitted to the two demi-bastions.
The site was altered continuously during the early 20th century to meet the evolving needs of naval ordnance technology and to improve the security of the site from both landward and seaward attack. The site was fully utilised during the Second World War with the introduction of 2,500 women workers who filled jobs vacated by men on active service. The site was last used for significant naval activity during the Falklands Conflict in 1982, and was vacated by RNAD Gosport in 1988 when it relocated to Frater further north on the Harbour.
Now the Priddys Hard site is home to a Museum which opened in March of 2001. Explosion!, The Museum of Naval Firepower is an award winning, hands on, interactive museum set in the historic setting of a former Royal Navy gunpowder and munitions depot at Priddys Hard, on the Gosport side of Portsmouth Harbour. Telling the story of naval warfare from the days of gunpowder to modern missiles, the museum includes a nationally significant collection of guns and naval ordnance, an original 18th century gunpowder vault and social history about the people who supplied the Navy from the days of Trafalgar to the Gulf War.
Some of the activity reported:

• The untimely deaths that have happened at Priddys Hard have been as a result of accidental explosions and in one case an unnatural gust of wind, rumoured to be the evil spirit of a convict labourer who died in the same spot.
• Sightings of many of the past unfortunate souls have been rumoured by former workers of the Royal Navy Armaments Depot over the years including more recently security guards that have looked after the listed buildings.
• Recent investigations witnessed a set of heavy chains swinging for no apparent reason and a white shadow seen coming into "C" magazine!
• The area around room 309 is also said to be active in that phantom footsteps have been heard along with a banging noise against a locked door.

Investigating Team Members

Val Butler
Ken Taylor
Becki Ephgrave
Steen Spencer
Pat Rendell
Mandy Firth
Gary Hayes
Emma Macdonald
Jacqi Ephgrave
Simon Patterson

The Investigation

We were all warmly met at the Explosion Museum by Greg and made our way to the café our hub the night. While Ken and Gary set up the infra red camera’s and locked off camera’s in several areas’ the rest of the group had a conducted tour with Greg with only the minimum of lighting on, so torches were a must. We did not realise how many area’s there were to cover for the night, but all was very fascinating. We took a short break before the nights investigation started. Greg has stated that all outer doors were now locked and all lights were off.

We divided into two teams each team with EMF meters, cam corder, temperature guns, Dictaphones, K2 meter, torches, note pads and walkie talkies.

Team 1
Val (team leader)
Gary (on cam)
Pat
Jacqi
Emma

Team 2
Becki (team leader)
Mandy
Simon
Steen

Ken monitoring the infra red camera’s and equipped with walkie talkie to stay in touch with both teams stayed in the hub.

Photographs

1/28 - Multiple Light Anomalies

Team Reports

Team 1

Vigil 1 Grand magazine, Rolling Way, Gun Gallery, Main Museum
EMF Reading 0 Temperature 18 degrees all around.
Val and Gary tried to contact spirit by asking for a response to their whistles, there was no response. Gary then went to the far left hand side and stood alone while Emma and Val stood in the middle, Pat and Jacqi stood at the right side. Gary called for spirit again no occurrences. We decided to hold glass divination and after a short time the glass encircled the board and stopped at the letter H then slowly moved to A and again circled the board and again stopped at the letter A but made no movement after this. It spelt HAA we asked spirit if they were joking with us and the glass moved to yes. Jacqi felt a cold breath across her hand several times. We closed the séance and as we moved away from the table a chair was heard to move, we could not say which one as we had not noted the position of the chairs that we had left. Gary radioed Ken and asked Ken to listen in as he could see us on camera, Gary moved a chair and it was confirmed that it was the same sound on both occasions. All team hear footsteps and muffled bangs. Val then felt she was kicked in the back of her calf muscle which she said was quite painful. No other occurrences in here.
During the break Val felt that something horrible happened at this location and felt a lot of people had died here she felt hot which is unusual for Val and thought they had maybe died in a fire.

Vigil 2 309 Reserve Collection and C magazine
EMF reading 0 Fluctuating temperature readings.
Val did not want to go inside the reserve magazine areas as she suffers from the fear of spiders but as team leader she could not let them down and with a deep breath went inside. Once in there we all felt quite calm. Val asks for spirit to join with us and then Gary asks but there was no response. Val has the feeling that there are women outside waiting for the men to come out from depositing the barrels, Jacqi calls for spirit again no response, so we left this area and made our way to building 309.
Building 309 Jacqi and Pat both have slight headache Gary called for spirit to copy him by whistling then Val calls to spirit Val has the name of Reg Allright come to mind. Jacqi calls for the spirit of David to come forward but has no response; Pat saw flashes of light in three different places, light blue in colour. No other occurrences in this building.

Vigil 3 Administration Building
EMF reading 0 Temperature reading 12 degrees.
This building is completely derelict and Ken had joined with the team on this vigil. We walked around the ground floor and then we went upstairs to the far end room Val invites spirit to join with us. There was a loose window that was ajar and as Val asked for spirit to knock twice if they could hear her voice the window seemed to make a sound of banging immediately following Val request. Val tapped on the mantelpiece of the fire and asks spirit for a response and again the window moved. We made our way downstairs and we all heard bangs coming from upstairs, then we heard footsteps, ladies footsteps wearing high heeled shoes followed by men’s heavier footsteps. Gary, Emma and Pat went back upstairs while Ken, Val and Pat stayed downstairs. Several different sounds were heard but there was no contact with spirit despite several attempts to contact them.
We made our way back to the hub and standing outside the entrance Val, Pat and Jacqi heard a voice on the walkie talkie say “IS THE BELL WORKING” THINKING IT WAS Ken who was inside the hub Val radioed him to ask what bell? Ken was baffled as he did not know what Val was talking about he was with all the other members and had not made any comments on the radio.
On returning to the hub and going over the vigil notes Val had noticed at the top of the page EMMA BEEN this was not on there before starting vigil 3 and all confirmed that they had not written on Val’s notes and it was definitely not Val’s handwriting so who’s was it?

Team 2

Vigil 1 C-Mag & 309 Reserve Collection
EMF Reading 0 Temperature reading 10 degrees fluctuating
We started in C-Magazine where there were some noises around the room although there was a strong wind blowing outside the wind almost seemed to respond to questions at one point! The group decided to move to the far end of the room as there were some noises coming from that area. Becky called out to spirit and asked for communication, at this point the K-II EMF lit up all lights, this continued for several seconds. While the communication was continuing via the K-II all felt that the temperature had dropped and felt cooler. When the K-II stopped all felt warmer. Group moved to opposite end of the room where Steen heard a faint whistle, this is heard several times by various members of the group but as it was very quiet could be outside noise. Becky keeps hearing slight noises behind her but can’t be sure if it’s not just the wind. We noticed that communication was more forthcoming when equipment was turned off. We turned off the camera and voice recorder and then the K-II became active again, Mandy asked if they could use the K-II to communicate with us, the monitor immediately lit to full lights. The ‘spirit’ then seemed to respond to Steen’s questions where we found out that we were speaking to a male who used to work here. Becky has the name of George and Steen has the name Henry. The K-II continues to light but eventually contact stops.
Group mover over to 309 Reserve Collection. Some noises heard around the rooms but again due to the wind we could not say for sure what the noises were being caused by. Mandy reads the temperature it’s at 11c then a few moments later Mandy noticed the temperature is 14c. Group move into second half of the room noises are heard all around, taps, creeks, tinging etc. The K-II showed full lights, we asked if this was the same person as in the last rooms, no response, I asked spirit if we are talking to a new person, K11 lights up, asked further questions and had no response. Walked around the room and Becky, Simon, Steen and Mandy all hear a murmur.
Steen has the name of John Adams come to mind, when asked if this is the spirit who we are speaking to all the lights on the K-II lit as a yes. Moved back to entrance side and continued asking for contact but to no avail. Asked John if he wanted us to leave and the K-II lit up. I asked several questions but it only lit up when we mentioned leaving or going. All feel the temperature drop and Mandy and Becky feel cold down their left hand sides, Becky feels like a cold breeze is circling her. We asked ‘John’ if he built one of the items in the room then we heard something being tapped but could not be sure what. Every time we said the word leave or go the exit door creeks and the lights are full on the K-II. Final words ‘would you like us to go?’ K-II hits full lights. We leave.

Vigil 2 Administration Building
EMF 0 Temperature 13 degrees
At the Administration building. Becky feels very apprehensive and does not feel comfortable going into the building. Group starts upstairs in large room. There were lots of bangs against the window, one rather badly times when Becky said ‘I hope there is nothing evil here’ and the window bangs erratically, which we put down to the wind, or at least hoped was the wind! It seemed very strange though that every time we asked a question it seemed to be timed with a bang on the windows, though when we asked for a noise to be made inside the room to eliminate the outside elements nothing came through. Mandy feels uneasy looking into the hallway so the group move into that area and call out for spirit to come forward. Becky feels like singing but does not tell this to the group. Some noises are heard from the far opposite end of the corridor so all move down to the end room. Mandy calls out and asks for a sound so we know there is someone with us. Mandy and Steen hear what sounds like footsteps on the stairs. We continued to call to spirit out but found no response.
We then decide to move downstairs. Simon says he has had a headache since entering this building. Steen and Mandy feel confident and authoritive. Mandy feels almost inpatient like she is waiting for something and keeps walking around and looking for something to do with her hands. Steen says he feels ‘musical’ and Becky mentions her feeling of singing while upstairs. Group move further along to another room, Becky laughs a nervous giggle and the other moods become lighter and we begin to talk and laugh at each other when Becky, Mandy and Steen all hear a little girl giggle. We tell some jokes to see if there is another reaction but no further contact. All leave building.

Vigil 3Grand Magazine Rolling Way Gun Gallery and Main Museum
EMF Reading 0 Temperature not taken
We decide to start in the Grand Magazine, Steen closes the doors and all start to feel a little uneasy the longer we stay in the room. Steen, Mandy and Becky take turns calling out to spirit but no contact was made. Simon still has a headache from last vigil and now begins to feel sickly. Becky and Mandy move to try glass divination séance and attempt to make contact with spirit but nothing came through to us. Séance closed and group decided to move to Rolling Way adjacent, as we open the doors to exit the grand magazine and walk through the K-II lights up. Steen thanks the ‘spirit’ for contact and asks for this to be repeated, the K-II lights up again. Asked if they were in the room with us just now and K11 lights up, it lights a few more times but becomes fainter. We walked in Rolling Way and into the Gun Gallery. At the very end of the room while calling out the K-II lights up, Steen asks if we are speaking to someone who used to own one of the weapons in the room and the EMF lights up. More questions asked to spirit but had no response. Steen says he thinks this is someone trying to get away from us and they may have run down here to get away and have now gone again. Group walk around the rest of the museum constantly asking for contact, K-II lights slightly a couple of times but nothing firm. Group decides to go back to Grand Magazine, nothing felt and no contact made.
Group return to Gun Gallery, after much calling out asking if spirit would like us to stay or go the K-II becomes active again, there is a change in atmosphere and it feels heavy and very very hot. Light on K-II kept going on though it seemed randomly. Becky continues calling out to spirit asking for confirmation they are with us as we have to leave shortly, all hear a crunch/crash noise and jump, we look at each other trying to rationally think what it could be, and then there is another bang. We leave the Gun Gallery and walked back into the Rolling Way to see the camera that was attached to the wall is on the floor. Relief was felt thinking it had just fallen down, that is until we return to the hub with Ken asking us all to watch a replay of the video recording and we were amazed to hear the slow pealing of the duck tape that held the infra red camera then hear an intake of breath, then the pealing continues, the camera falls slightly, then hear the sound of the duck tape being ripped from the wall and the camera is on the floor!

Members Views

Val
I was amazed at the size of the Explosion Museum and thought what a great night this is going to be. In the Grand Magazine I was kicked in the back of my right leg which was quite painful and hoped I wouldn’t get another one. I did not like the fact that the walls were so thick and felt a little entombed. The name of George Blundell came to mind but that was all the information given to me.
C magazine was difficult for me I HATE SPIDERS and learning that there were some big ones and to watch out for cobwebs left me agitated and short of breath but as I am group leader I had to face my fears and managed to become calm inside myself. I never felt anything unusual in here although in my mind’s eye I could see a group of young ladies waiting outside for the men to finish work. I was glad back to get out into the open.
Building 309 I had the name of a Reg Allright come to mind what he did or why he was there I don’t know. I felt relaxed in here and marveled at all the equipment that was around.
Administration Building I did not like at all, I felt as though there were people watching, despite hearing footsteps, bangs and quiet talking by women nothing came through to me by spirit.
My summery on the night is that there is a lot to be investigated further, happenings that have no explanation and cannot just be left, a fantastic venue.
Grateful thanks to Marc and Greg this is one place I will bring MPI back again to investigate our work is not yet complete.

Becki
This place was so cool! It was huge and very eerie! There was so much to take in. There were a few things through the evening, knocks, creeks and whispers temperature changes, whistles etc etc. I was petrified about going into the Admin building, I nearly didn’t go but the team I was in was great and a huge support making me feel much safer. As we continued I did feel more at ease in the Admin block but I can’t say I enjoyed it.
The absolute highlight of the evening was at the end when we were in the Gun Gallery calling out and using the K-II (which is a brilliant bit of kit, well done Simon!) and we were calling out asking for something to happen…. And something happened!
I can’t wait to see the footage of the camera being peeled from the wall! Watching that back on the DVD player just after it happened was really scary especially hearing someone/thing breath into the camera and continue peeling. Then when you hear it rip form the wall…. Ooohhh I wont be sleeping well for a few nights yet!
Fantastic location, I would love to come here again, day or night! Fascinating place!... but scary…….

Jacqi
Well what a night!!!. We arrived at the explosion Museum in Gosport not knowing what to expect really. But it turned out to be brilliant!!!.
We had our walk round with our host Greg who was very informative as to the history of the venue then it was into teams and away we went.
I felt a bit anxious went I got off the mini bus as if there was heaviness in the air but it did not affect me too much. The place was very eerie which added to the ambience of the evening.
We heard women talking, bangs, footsteps from men and women, I had some-one breathing on the back of my hand when we were using the talking board (very creepy), Val was kicked in the calf, Emma became very sick at one point and Val said she had the feeling of sickness as well !
Then to top it all off, when Ken, Gary and Steen was watching some video footage back, one of the cameras could be heard to being unpeeled from the wall and a ghostly intake of breath was heard before the camera fell!!! When the lads went to investigate the camera, the duct tape that was used to secure the camera was still attached and still very sticky to the point when the lads put the camera back on the wall they had to really use some effort to get it to come off again. Very very spooky!!! I’m sure that will be on the web site soon.....
I would like to say a big thank you to Greg (our host) as he stayed with us all night to make sure we had hot drinks and food if we need it.
I am still wondering about that camera though???????

Emma
Had a fantastic evening at the Explosions museum, was a fascinating place, which was much larger than I thought it, would be. Had some brilliant outbuildings and decaying derelict buildings, which were fabulous to walk around. The investigation was very very interesting. Not much happened in any of the outbuildings apart from some bangs and knocks and as it was very windy outside could have been down to that. In the derelict office block I heard female voices all the way round just whispering, I couldn’t make out anything though, just like they were talking amongst themselves.
The interesting area was in the main museum, we were doing a vigil in the main hall area and even though not much happened in here, when we left the hall and stood outside we all heard a chair move across the floor. We tried to figure out where it came from by recreating the noise from different parts of the building but came to the conclusion it came from the main hall.
Our team came back from one investigation to hear a noise on the monitor of the camera down the hall being peeled away from the wall and falling to the ground, upon further inspection and re-watching the tapes a breathe was clearly heard which no one in the team could explain. I cannot offer any explanation to what happened.
I found the place quite eerie in places and would love to go back there again to investigate further. Many thanks to our host for the evening.