Chester Leadworks and Shot Tower, Chester, Cheshire
This leadworks and shot tower was built in 1799. The tower is important as evidence of the revolutionary process of shot production patented by William Watts in 1783. This was the 'drop process'. Watts realised that if molten lead fell far enough through the air it would become spherical. This technique made much better shot (lead bullets) than that made by casting (moulding) the lead. It was built to provide lead shot for the Napoleonic wars. It is the only British shot tower to remain in use. The rest of the works is largely used for storage.
