Last updated: December 12, 2023
Place
Fort Christiansvaern Powder Magazine
NPS Photo: Kahle
Quick Facts
Location:
Fort Christiansvaern
The Magazine is our next stop. Positioned surprisingly at the ocean side of the fort, the vault has reinforced walls which protected the needful, and plentiful, black powder. Black powder was the blood life of the Danish control over these islands. With it they had power over all those they deemed lesser. Thus, the gunpowder was treasured and protected, even more than gold. For without it, their muskets and the balls of death they launched would be nothing but sticks of wood and metal.
In this room, the windows and doors were placed with bronze, a non-sparking metal, to prevent the ignition of the black powder. Due to high humidity here in the Caribbean, better ventilation systems were incorporated into the structure to provide a better environment for the black powder also.
Ironic how the very powder they so relied on was so vulnerable to even opposing elements. Not only fire or electricity, but also humidity and water. How fragile the key to power really is.
In this room, the windows and doors were placed with bronze, a non-sparking metal, to prevent the ignition of the black powder. Due to high humidity here in the Caribbean, better ventilation systems were incorporated into the structure to provide a better environment for the black powder also.
Ironic how the very powder they so relied on was so vulnerable to even opposing elements. Not only fire or electricity, but also humidity and water. How fragile the key to power really is.