"Powder/Supply Magazines in the 17th Century" Topic

As I continue to read about Turenne's campaigns during the Franco-Dutch War, there are often references to "magazines", storehouses stocked with military necessities for future use. I also observe that these made campaigning much easier but also, one had to be cautious that these not fall into the hands of the enemy. If I were to make a model of such a supply depot, I wonder, what were these structures like, and what all was stored in them? I envision that they would often be made of stone, with few windows, somewhat secure, like a prison, probably having a guardhouse near the entrance. Anyone know some details that might be of use?

Cheers!

Gallo

There is one at Williamsburg, you might find pictures on line.

Thanks, Dan. I've seen pictures of that one. Perhaps that style is typical, I don't know. I'm thinking that they might be similar to those of the Thirty Years War for my period. I have yet to find any pictures of those but I will keep looking.

Cheers!

Gallo

The more modern term would be depot. Magazines would normally be located in fortresses, though they would sometimes be in undefended towns, or even open fields. There was no one style of building, and ad hoc magazine might even be under canvas.

In the second half of the 17th century, in France Vauban was in charge of a lot of fortress development, both new fortresses and improvements to old forts. He used a small number of designs for the following.

Powder magazines. One of the best preserved I have visited is in the grounds of the fort at Gravelines, on the Northern coast of France. I'm sure you can find photos and plans on-line.

Baracks buildings, some of these included storage and warehousing facilities.

Bastions and ramparts, the insides of these fortifications were bombproof, hollow and empty and so would be enclosed with doors and fitted out as stores. I have seen many examples of these.

I was able to find a little more information, nothing definitive. I think the design of the storehouses somewhat depended on what was to be stored in them. The granary at Essling comes to mind for the storage of valuable food. I was able to find a few other examples. Most were stone or brick but some were wooden. I noticed that several of the stone structures had bars on the windows. All had large, heavy double doors. I noted that the wooden structures with windows had heavy shutters.

Cheers!

Gallo

Should add that you might look for pictures of the one at Fort Mackinaw in northern MI. They've actually dug out the original one if I recall. More of a cellar type with an earth roof I believe (which makes sense).