St Lawrence Railway Tunnel - High Hat (Isle Of Wight)
History
The tunnel opened to passenger trains on 15th September 1897 and remaining in use for 55 years until the line closed on 15th September 1952. St Lawrence Station was the original terminus of the branch line from Merstone until the 1½ mile extension to Ventnor was completed in June 1900. However, this part of the line was not very successful, and by 1927 the station was downgraded to the status of an unstaffed halt, as was thereafter known at St Lawrence Halt.
The station was located between a steep cliff face and a public road. During the early years of the line's operation, rock falls were common. This problem was alleviated when the undergrowth took hold on the cliff face.
The short distance between the south portal of the St. Lawrence tunnel and the station was widely regarded as one of the finest views to be had on the Island's railways. The steep road bridge crossing at the eastern end of the St Lawrence Halt station is still evident although the trackbed has been filled in up to the level of the platform. The line towards Ventnor is now covered by modern housing. Today the Ventnor West station building in Castle Close is a very attractive private residence.
In the 1980s the tunnel was used as a mushroom farm. It is now privately owned.
The route
The Newport, Godshill and St Lawrence Railway started at the Merstone junction and the line headed south and continued through farmland to cross the main Newport-Shanklin road. The line then continued through farmland to Godshill. From Godshill the line again traversed farmland on a large stretch of embankment that ran to the small hamlet of Southford on the outskirts of Whitwell. From Whitwell the line climbed up to the northern portal of St. Lawrence tunnel, crossing the B3327 road at Dean level crossing before reaching the tunnel itself. The line entered the tunnel and began a long descent to St Lawrence and the terminus at Ventnor West.
Location
The Old High Hat Tunnel South Portal can be found in the woods off Seven Sisters Road. Look for the public footpath that is directly opposite the entrance to Seven Sisters Close. At the top of the first set of steps, turn left and the tunnel entrance can be found along a short path.
Access
Whilst the tunnel can be accessed at the South Portal, the tunnel itself is privately owned, and the North Portal opens out into someones garden. The tunnel is pitch black as it has no lighting.
Interesting facts
On 22nd June 1897, a great deal of anxiety was caused by a 3,000-ton cliff fall of the Undercliff. A coastguard – knowing that a gang of men had been working there – believed a terrible loss of life had occurred and telegrammed the neighbouring towns to send doctors. However, the men had been warned the cliff would fall, and no-one was working there at the time.
In 1906, a prisoner called Herbert Beard escaped from Police custody in the darkness of the tunnel. He was being escorted to Newport to face a charge of malicious wounding. The prisoner silently opened the door of the carriage and jumped out. His escort, Sergeant W. Cass, got the driver to stop the train and ran back into the tunnel to find Beard apparently dead in the darkness. Beard was carried, seemingly lifeless, to Whitwell station. There, he was seen to have been feigning injury. He continued on his journey to Newport on the following train and was remanded in custody to appear before Ryde magistrates.
