SECRET TUNNELS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19133, 30 September 1936, Page 14

SECRET TUNNELS

WINDSOR DISCOVERIES EXITS DURING SIEGE LONDON., Aug. 17. Mr. E,obert Burns Robertson, who explored the subterranean passages umler Windsor Castle, is to retire from the office of chapter surveyor at the end of the month, He is 75. In 1912 Mr. Robertson was appointed resident architect at the castle and chapter surveyor, retiring from the former office in 1926. He has supervised various alterations on the Round Tower, and took a great part in the restoration jf St. George's Chapel. The most romantic side of his. work ,vas the searx-h for the underground passages which, according to popular legend, honeycombed the hill on which the castle stands. It was said that there .vere dozens of these passages, some of which found an exit in the forest, others at Eton College, and one, passing under the river, to the cellars of Burnham Abhey, five or six miles away. "thrice PASSAGES ONLY Mr. Robertson is convinced, however, that there were only three main tunnels which had an outlet beyond the castle walls. "I found three passages running from the centre of the castle, south, west and cast respectively,'' he said. '"All had au exit by the moat which in olden days surrounded the castle. Whether they went further into the forest I cannot say. They are hewn through chalk; they must have taken years to construct, but die workmanship was good. '"The purpose of these tunnels, 1 think 1 have proved, was the defence of the jastle. When an attacking force was at the main gates the garrison could move soldiers down the passages to attack the meiny besieging the castle from the rear-. "I am equally convinced that there was never a tunnel extending in a northerly direction. There was no need for one on that side owing to the steep declivity of the hill." Mr. Robertson, who was born at Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, began his , career in the Fairfield shipbuilding yard, Jlasgow. There he assisted in the construction of the Umbria and Etruria, which in those days were giant liners, both successively holding the blue Viband jf the Atlantic. He entered the Government service in 1892, and afterwards he was clerk of works in Edinburgh.