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The early versions of cordite required to be kept at a temperature of less than 50°F (or 10°C) by a cooling system lest it become unstable – so on all warships, the temperature of propellant magazines had to be monitored.

The Court of Inquiry on Emperor of India heard evidence that on Vanguard the temperatures of all 12-inch and 4-inch magazines were taken daily every morning by means of temperature tubes. Additionally, thermograph charts were inspected weekly by the gunnery officer.

There was however, at this time, no standardised Royal Navy procedure for taking magazine temperatures – and systems and procedures varied from ship to ship in the fleet. Some ships like Vanguard took the temperatures once a day – whilst others took the temperature three times a day.

In reaching its verdict, the court recommended that the taking of magazine temperatures should be standardised throughout the fleet. The monitoring procedure should be conducted at more frequent intervals and should be carried out under the direction of the gunnery officer by the gunner of the ship, who should physically enter the magazines two or three times a day and inspect them.