A Secret Life for the greatest Navy Sailor?

8:28 PM Sat 10 Jan 2009 GMT

'Battle of Trafalgar painting by Montague Dawson' .

History says that Horatio Nelson, the great naval hero of the Battle of Trafalgar was unconventional - in his novel attack strategies and his hidden love life - but did he also have maze of secret chambers and escape tunnels? If so, they may have just been discovered...

The secret chambers outside the site where Nelson spent his last day on land have been uncovered by roadworkers drilling a hole in Portsmouth, and it is conjectured that they could be escape tunnels for Nelson himself.

Council contractors were left gobsmacked when routine work revealed a series of hidden tunnels and rooms outside the site of the George Hotel in High Street, Old Portsmouth - where the famous admiral stayed before sailing for the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Conservation officers will visit the site to try to unravel its secrets. The discovery has sparked excitement and speculation, with the theories including an escape route for naval officers and tunnels used to store smuggled rum.

Brothers Kevin and Steven Glover, who work for Portsmouth City Council's highways contractor Colas, made the discovery while replacing a lamp-post.

Workers elated at finding the secret chambers - .. .

It was so unexpected, they nearly fell into the seven-foot hole they'd unearthed.

Kevin said: 'I was drilling through the pavement, but where it should have given way to earth, there was thin air. I was pushing down on a heavy road hammer, and it was only because Steven pulled me back that me and the drill didn't plummet straight through.'

Steven said: 'There's an archway into a room, then tunnels leading off in different directions. We found a horseshoe down there, but it's too dark to see much.
'We've been talking to people who live nearby, and they've said they could lead as far as Portsdown Hill. They think it could be an escape route for navy officers like Nelson, or smugglers' tunnels.'

Lord Nelson - did he have more secrets? - .. .

He added: 'Whatever it is, we'd be really interested to find out. It'd be great if we have unearthed a piece of the city's history.'

The George Hotel, where Nelson stayed, was destroyed by Luftwaffe bombs in 1941. In its place is The George Court.

Resident Caron Berry, 30, who has lived there for six months with her husband, said: 'It's really exciting. When we moved here we were both excited we'd be living where Nelson stayed, and now here's another piece of history uncovered a few yards outside.'

Near-neighbour Sally Cronin added: 'I've been here for 50 years. When we were children lots of the area was a bombsite and we were told there were tunnels all around.

English Heritage, Portsmouth Museums and Portsmouth City Council have all confirmed their interest in the chambers and tunnels.

Council conservation officer John Pike said: 'It's always good when historical finds are made, and I will be down there in the morning to take a look around. 'It's an historic area of the city and I'm looking forward to see what we can find.'

by Rory O'Keeffe, The News/Sail-World Cruising

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