The tale of the Laingsnek Tunnel, located close to Charlestown, is not just a story of an engineering marvel, but also of strategic wartime significance during one of South Africa's most pivotal periods. For over a century, it stood as an emblem of South Africa's progress and ingenuity.
In 1890, the construction of the Laingsnek Tunnel commenced under the contract of R. Wagstaffe & Co. Undertaking a project of this magnitude in that era presented numerous challenges. However, the workers' perseverance and skill were unmatched. They began tunneling from opposing ends, facing the daunting task of blasting through the rugged rock and earth. Their dedication and precision were evident when, on the 24th of January 1891, the two sides met. Stone Masons then gracefully added fine facings to the tunnel openings.
At 674 metres long and a gradient of 1 in 70, the tunnel was no small feat. Over 500 men toiled day and night, removing a staggering 195,000 cubic metres of spoil. The monumental task came with a price tag of 80,000 pounds – an exorbitant sum for the times. Yet, the efforts bore fruit swiftly, with the track from Lang’s Nek to Charlestown being completed by the 15th of February 1891.
On 14th October 1891, an official mark of recognition was given to this marvel. Sir Henry Loch, the High Commissioner to the Cape, along with Sir Charles Mitchell, Governor of Natal, inaugurated the tunnel for rail traffic.
The onset of the 2nd Anglo-Boer War in 1899 brought unexpected challenges to the tunnel's existence. With the British and Natal Colonial forces retreating to Ladysmith, the northern part of Natal was left vulnerable. General Petrus Johannes Joubert of the Boers, anticipating an ambush in the tunnel, sent a coal truck as a probe. To his surprise, the British had left the tunnel untouched, a move he used to his advantage. This allowed the Boers to ferry supplies for their troops laying siege to Ladysmith.
However, the Boers, realizing the importance of strategic infrastructure, took no chances when they retreated a year later. Every significant structure, from bridges to railways, including the Laings Nek Tunnel, faced destruction. Yet, time was not on their side. Their attempt to demolish the tunnel was rushed, leading to damage to only the first 200 feet of both entrances. This half-measure was fortuitous for the British, who, under Lord Dundonald, occupied the position on the 10th of May 1900. Discovering the tunnel was salvageable, they promptly cleared the debris, paving the way for train supplies that fueled their advance into the Orange Free State and Transvaal.
After almost a century of service, the Laingsnek Tunnel retired in 1984. A newer tunnel was bored alongside, to its west, rendering the original obsolete. Yet, the original Laingsnek Tunnel remains a testament to human perseverance, engineering might, and historical significance in South Africa's narrative.