Watch: ‘It’s almost been forgotten’ – 200th anniversary of devastating explosion that shaped Nottingham’s waterways

Video: Harvey Jamison finds out about the explosion that shaped Nottingham’s waterways

On the 200th anniversary of a devastating explosion that shaped Nottingham’s waterways, a local organisation want to see a plaque commemorate those who died in the incident.

On September 28 1818, a warehouse on Castle Wharf by the canal was used to store gunpowder and some barrels were to be transported on the water to Derbyshire for use in the quarries.

Unknown to the people who put the gunpowder in the warehouse, there was some spilled onto the ground.

And local man Joseph Murton dropped a hot coal, causing 21,000 lbs of gunpowder to explode.

The explosion is believed to have been heard as far away as Newark and Grantham – 10 people died at the scene with six later dying from injuries caused by it.

Now members of Nottingham Civic Society want to see a plaque commemorate those who lost their lives.

Chair of the organisation Hilary Silvester said: “People of all ages are fascinated with events that occurred in their own neighbourhood.

“As with many cities, there are lots of interesting things that people may not know about.

“For example, on the other side of the canal, there’s a plaque commemorating the ascent of a balloon in 1813.”

Vice-chair Ian Wells said the society gave careful consideration before calling for the plaque.

He said: “You can end up with a plaque overload – there are so many places where they seem to be on every street corner.

“But for some of the key events that made Nottingham what it is; it’s the crazy moments that really stand out compared to ordinary life.

“But we want to preserve memories of ordinary life too, even if it is in slightly different ways.”