The Paulsgrove Chalk Pit

Underground Radio Station

  Created 06-03-2002    Last update 18-11-2002

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The following underground photos are accompanied by a small graphic plan of the tunnel, as shown in full on page 1, which has a red arrow showing the location and direction of the camera. 

 

 

chamber No2 looking towards the escape tunnel

The lined section of chamber No2 looking towards the escape tunnel. On the floor over on the right is a 6 inch deep pit, 1 foot square. Just above the camera is a short section of cable channel plate which would have had an electric light fixed to it. On the left out of shot is a alcove cut into the wall.

 
 

 

 

alcove

The liner is missing, and an alcove has been very roughly hacked into the wall. In the top left hand corner of the roof of the alcove is a 6 inch diameter borehole leading to the surface. This would have carried cabling for  telephone, electricity, and aerials.

 The borehole was deliberately offset so as to allow a gentle radius bend in heaver cables which would have otherwise intruded into the working tunnel.

With thanks to Pete Mason Friends of HMS Forward

 
 
escape tunnel

The escape tunnel - 62 feet long and 5 feet by 5 feet in section. A concrete sill runs the length of the floor on the left hand side. At the end there is a 6 inch diameter borehole in the roof leading to the surface which contains a one inch diameter steel conduit.

 
 
 
 chamber no3

Chamber No3 is not connected to the rest of the complex. It is 12 feet by 8 feet. The slots at ceiling level can be made out, their use is unclear. A poor photo  I agree, but I'm standing on a 2 foot ledge 40 feet above ground level. 

 
 

Above the station

 
cable - long shotcable - close up

Directly above the Radio Station is an armoured cable sticking out of the ground. The cable is sheathed in paper, lead, steel wire, and steel tape. The track in the left photo leads to the remains of a small brick building (see below).

 
 
 
sentry post

Recent undergrowth clearance has uncovered the remains of a brick built structure. This is directly above the radio station and was the sentry post used to guard the nearby radio masts.

 
 
 
guy for radio masts

There were at least four  radio masts in the area. Three to the west of the sentry post, and one to the east. Each mast was guyed at four anchor points, with 55 feet between adjacent anchors. Ten anchor points have been found like the one in the photo above which still has its 'D' shackle attached.

 
 

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