The Stowmarket Guncotton Explosion

This was the site of the Prentice Brothers factory, which manufactured guncotton, a highly explosive substance used for military and industrial purposes. The facility was one of the largest employers in the area at the time.

Two massive explosions occurred on August 11, 1871, destroying the factory and killing approximately 28 workers while injuring many others. The incident became the worst industrial disaster in the region and prompted later safety reforms.

The disaster reflects the harsh realities of industrial labor in the Victorian era and remains a sobering reminder of workers' safety concerns. Local communities preserve this memory as a warning about the human cost of manufacturing.

A memorial for the victims stands in Stowmarket Old Cemetery and is open for visitors to pay respects. The original factory site is now built over and not publicly accessible, so the cemetery monument is the main place to visit.

The blast was so powerful that people and objects were thrown across considerable distances, with some victims landing in the nearby River Gipping. Rescue teams subsequently searched the riverbed for missing persons.

Location: England

GPS coordinates: 52.18215,1.00833

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:43