SAFE NAVAL OIL STORAGE - DARWIN, NT
UNDERGROUND OIL TUNNELS
BUILT DURING WWII
| visits since 7 July 2011 |
The Japanese air raids of 19 February 1942, 16 March 1942 and 16 June 1942 destroyed 7 of the 11 above-ground oil storage tanks that were located on Stokes Hill Wharf.
Consequently, in November 1942 a decision was made by the Military for the Allied Works Council to construct eight Safe Naval Oil Storage tunnels in Darwin in the Northern Territory. Five tunnels were eventually built in secret by 400 men of the Civil Constructional Corps (CCC) with work starting in about May 1943. A number of issues were encountered, including flooding, cost increases and engineering problems which meant that only five of the eight proposed tunnels were constructed.
The horseshoe-shaped steel-lined concrete formed tunnels were excavated by hand using picks and shovels and hand-held pneumatic tools. Each of the storage tunnels have an internal width of 4.5 metres and a height of 5.4 metres. The smaller entrance tunnels are 1.96 metres wide by 2.01 metres high and contain a large oil pipe, tank vents, air handling vents and conduits.
| TUNNEL NO. | STORAGE TUNNEL | ENTRANCE TUNNEL | Working Space |
| Tunnel No. 1 | 116 metres | 51 metres | 4 metres |
| Tunnel No. 5 | 171 metres | 42 metres (2 off) | 8 metres |
| Tunnel No. 6 | 78 metres | 39.6 metres | Pump Chamber 8 metres |
| Tunnel No. 10 | 184 metres | 30 metres | Pump Chamber 16 metres |
| TunnelNo. 11 | 124 metres | 10 metres | 5 metres |
The tunnels were never used as intended during WWII. Tunnel No. 5 and 6 were used by S.G. Kennon for three years in the mid 1950s for the storage of jet fuel (kerosene). Tunnels No. 5 and 6 re-opened in 1992 as today's tourist attraction in Kitchener Drive to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.
Sign at Entrance to
Tunnels 5 and 6
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
At the end of the entrance tunnel
to Oil Storage Tunnels No 5 and
6 looking back towards the entrance on Kitchener Drive
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
The Pump Chamber located at the end of the above entrance tunnel
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
A sign inside the above Pump Chamber
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
Heading towards Oil Storage Tunnel No. 5 from the Pump Chamber
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
Opening in wall into Oil Storage Tunnel No. 6
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
Looking through the opening into Oil Storage Tunnel No. 6
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
Inside Oil Storage Tunnel No. 6 - It has running water in the floor of the tunnel
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
The entrance cut in the wall to Oil Storage Tunnel No. 5
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
Just inside Oil Storage Tunnel No. 5 looking back towards its entrance
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
Looking down towards the end of Oil Storage Tunnel No. 5
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
At the end of Oil Storage Tunnel
No. 5. A new doorway cut
into the end wall and Emergency Exit stairs installed.
Photo:- Peter Dunn 2 July 2011
The other locked Entrance Tunnel
to Storage Tunnels No. 5 and 6 which is
located in the car park of the Deckchair Cinema, Jervois Road, Darwin
The tunnels are now a well known Tourist Site on Kitchener Drive, Wharf Precinct in Darwin which is open as follows:-
From May to September, Monday to Sunday 9am to 4 pm.
From October to April, Monday - Sunday 9 am to 1 pm.
Closed 12 - 27 December and New Years Day.
Video:- Peter Dunn
Video of WWII Oil Tunnels in Darwin 2 July 2011
Darwin WWII Oil Storage Tunnel Tours
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© Peter Dunn 2006 |
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This page first produced 7 July 2011
This page last updated 19 July 2011
AUSTRALIA
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