Pillbox 222, Beacon Hill [1937- ] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Pillbox 222, Beacon Hill [1937- ]

Current condition: 
Ruin
Date Place completed: 
1937-01-01
Year completed is: Approximate
Condition at last visit: Ruin
Date of last visit: Oct-1995
Ref: ROB-00539
Other:

Photos that show this place

2020
2020

Comments

This tunnel portal at 22.350238, 114.176425 is not marked on the map. Pillbox 222 is a stone's throw away: could they be part of the same structure?

Tunnel Portal on MacLehose Trail Sec 5.jpg
Tunnel Portal on MacLehose Trail Sec 5.jpg, by A. Lim

From the picture, I would say no. I have no photo, but a sketch I did at the time. It shows a set of concrete steps starting about 60 cm above the path level. There were roughly four steps before they continued into a concrete walled trench, with more until they were covered by a landslip at the entry to a tunnel. Following the tunnel from on top, past two collapsed sections, brought me to the PB.

 i have been inside this tunnel, it has two exit that are quite close to each other,

N22.350536, E114.176608
and 
N22.350542,E114.176608

but they are quite far from PB222.

Starting at the PB end, the tunnel was demolished for a short distance, then came a section in good condition of bricks with an arched top. This continued for roughly 20m where there was another collapsed section. Beyond that was a section still buried and not accesible, followed by a short collapsed section and then another inaccesible section to the main entrance. The entrance was a set of concrete steps leading up from the macLehose Trail path between concrete side walls to the entrance. A landslip had covered the tunnel entrance and it was not accesible, but appeared to be the same type of tunnel as seen at the PB end i.e. at least three layers of brick thickness with an arched brick roof.

The PB tunnels were, on the whole, constructed with bricks. There have been only a couple found which were built using formed concrete. All tunnels were built in the same way, dig a deep trench, construct the tunnel, fill it over. They are amazing works considering they were built over 80 years ago using all manual methods, after the tools and equipment were brought to the side of a virtually uninhabited location on the backs of mules - or labourers.

If a tunnel is found in an area, and it is not constructed with bricks or concrete, and not roughly 180cms high, then it is a later addition.

Thanks Maxwell, it's good to see inside. It looks as though in a few more years the tunnel will be full of earth.