The Tunnels

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Prior to Marine Drive being constructed, on reclaimed land, from Isthmus to Crater there was only one road into Crater, and that was through the Main Pass. To permit quicker access (or for a retreat) to the defensive positions, which stretched the full width of the isthmus, a tunnel was cut through the Mansoora Range from Queen Arwa Road opposite the Sappers Lines (later the Police Barracks), approximately 900 metres north-west of, where later was built, the Good Shepherd Convent. 

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The tunnel ran in a northerly direction for 353 yards to the area known as Small Isthmus where was located the arsenal and the military dairy.

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700 metres of road with a zig-zag then led to a second, shorter tunnel, 132 yards long, which cut through the ridge in a north-westerly direction, opening into the Large Isthmus, where were located the Military Barracks, Lascars* Lines, a hospital, the large reserve water tanks at the end of the Sheikh Othman aqueduct and a condenser.

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28th May 1870   "The long tunnel to the isthmus has four feet of water in it all along. I got through and found the isthmus end quite blocked up with stones and debris, and had to lead my horse over. The small isthmus where the arsenal is is a sheet of water about two feet deep, and tents and things floating about. "  

 

 

* The Lascars were the forerunners of today's Public Works Dept. They carried out the municipal works and maintenance such as road repairs, street lighting, and gardens