Monument record SKT 128 - Atko; Suffolk Lawnmowers

Site of former gunpowder works/munitions factory on one, or both sides of River Gipping. Known to have blown up in C19 but continued(?) in use into C20. Site (original location not yet determined) now occupied by Atko/ Suffolk Lawnmowers factories etc (& open ground?), possibly partially by ICI. Linked to Waltham gunpowder works? (S1)(R1). No further details.

Formerly recorded as SKT MISC

Desk based assessment identified a low to medium archaeological potential. It also identified a large chemical works on the first edition OS Map 16883-4 which had been established by the Prentice Family in the 1860's for the manufacture of gun cotton. In 1871 there was a catastrophic double explosion on the site, killing 24 people and leaving a crater 100m across and 3m deep. The Suffolk Works site was later taken over ion 1975 by Atco (S2).