Tunnels of war: 200-year-old passages where French prisoners were held during the Napoleonic Wars go on sale for £19,000

  • Passages carved deep beneath naval fortifications in Plymouth, Devon
  • Three interlocking tunnels started life as a moat in early 19th Century
  • Were drained so they could be filled with captured French prisoners
  • Later bricked over and used as air raid shelters during World War Two
  • Bought from MoD in 1950s by Tapper family who are now selling them

By Simon Tomlinson

PUBLISHED: 11:11 EST, 18 November 2013 | UPDATED: 12:23 EST, 18 November 2013


A set of 200-year-old tunnels used to hold French prisoners in the Napoleonic wars are going on sale - for the bargain basement price of £19,000.

The three interlocking subterranean chambers were carved deep beneath naval fortifications in Plymouth, Devon, in the early 19th century.

They started off life as a moat, but were drained during the Napoleonic wars so they could be filled with captured French soldiers and sailors.

Piece of history: Part of a labyrinth of tunnels that housed French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars which have gone on sale for £19,000

Piece of history: Part of a labyrinth of tunnels that housed French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars which have gone on sale for £19,000

Up for sale: The passages have now been entered for online auction as a '0 bedroom, investment property' by Bradley Estate Agents, with a starting price of £19,000

Up for sale: The passages have now been entered for online auction as a '0 bedroom, investment property' by Bradley Estate Agents

Bargain basement: The entrance to the 200-year-old tunnels which started off life as a moat, but were drained during the Napoleonic Wars so they could be filled with captured French soldiers and sailors

Bargain basement: The entrance to the 200-year-old tunnels which started off life as a moat, but were drained during the Napoleonic Wars so they could be filled with captured French soldiers and sailors

The three underground chambers were later bricked over and used as air raid shelters throughout Word War II.

The dingy 60ft tunnels were purchased from the Ministry of Defence in the 1950s by the Tapper family, who used them to store fishing equipment.

 

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But the passages have now been entered for online auction as a '0 bedroom, investment property' by Bradley Estate Agents, with a starting price of £19,000.

Co-owner Kevin Tapper, 54, said the origins of the chambers come from the days when Devonport was a fortified town with its own moat and drawbridge.

Multi-purpose: The three underground chambers were later bricked over and used as air raid shelters throughout Word War II

Multi-purpose: The three underground chambers were later bricked over and used as air raid shelters throughout Word War II

Rich heritage: The 60ft tunnels were purchased from the Ministry of Defence in the 1950s by the Tapper family, who used them to store fishing equipment

Rich heritage: The 60ft tunnels were purchased from the Ministry of Defence in the 1950s by the Tapper family, who used them to store fishing equipment

The sign on the front of the 200-year-old tunnels which are being sold in Plymouth
The sign on the front of the 200-year-old tunnels which are being sold in Plymouth

Signs on the front of the tunnels: The current owner said the origins of the chambers come from the days when Devonport was a fortified town with its own moat and drawbridge

He said: 'We’ve been told the French Prisoners of War were kept there, away from the Plymouth people. They didn’t want people in Plymouth to see the horrors of Naval battle.'

'We weren’t doing anything with them and because of their location they need a lot of attention so we’ve decided to move on.'

Steve Allen, from Bradley Estate Agents, said any buyer would likely use the tunnels for storage or 'personal recreation' such as a workshop because they are in a restricted area.

He told MailOnline: 'There is no vehicular access, it is under a road and you have to go down a lot of steps.

'We have had some people inquire about change of use for a commercial venture, which may be possible.

'But I think it is unlikely that they would get permission for residential use.'

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Nightclub ?

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Imagine the history and horror these tunnels could tell.

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In Liverpool, at the waterfront where the old castle was situated, cells in which captured French solders (Peninsular War) are apparently still as they were when the last POW was released. What a museum pierce but the council, it is said, thinks it would be insensitive to show them.

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