Subterranean Adelaide Part 4
Escape Tunnels
In the least three chapters of this series we have
explored tunnels, basements and a train underpass that we know
through public record definitely existed or exist, but there has
always been plenty of rumour about other man-made tunnels stretching
underneath Adelaide.
There has long been rumour of a series of tunnels
designed and constructed by Sir Colonel William Light, the architect
of Adelaide. It is estimated these tunnels began to be dug as early
as 1936, but their entrances were closed off to hide them from the
public. The entrances were supposed to be set in Victoria Square,
Light Square, Hindmarsh Square, Hurtle Square and Whitmore Square, as
well as under the cities major banks.
These tunnels were reportedly constructed as a
means to escape the city if their was ever an military invasion. When
one considers that Adelaide's beautiful parkland’s that surround
the city were in actual fact a military design in themselves, being a
little longer than the average length a rifle could shoot a bullet in
the 1840's, then there is, perhaps, some possibility of escape
tunnels being present, where exactly they would go to would be
anyone’s guess.
There has also long been a rumour, now confirmed
of an old service tunnel under the Advertiser building which was most
likely used to allow entry to various basement level storage and
printing areas.
There is also a long held belief amongst the
Adelaide Urbex explorers that there is an entry tunnel in in the east
end park lands, near the small lake, one underneath Old parliament
House which allowed politicians to travel to the train station
unseen, and another under the Keswick Army Barracks, that goes to
places unknown.
Do any or all these tunnels exist, that I cannot
answer, but possibly someone out there reading this may have
experienced some of them for themselves, if you do have a
subterranean story of Adelaide, concerning man-made tunnels (and not
the various storm water drains, aqueducts and water outlets) please
feel free to tell us your story, or post photos below, here, or on
our facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheHauntsofAdelaide
I was show some apparent photos of an Adelaide sub terrain war tunnel...very fascinating.
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