SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1980
NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR TUNG LUNG FORT
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RUINS OF AN ALMOST FORGOTTEN HISTORICAL FORT ON THE ISOLATED TUNG LUNG ISLAND ARE BEING BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE+ AFTER TWO YEARS PAINSTAKING AND BACK BREAKING EFFORTS BY A GROUP OF ENTHUSIASTIC ARCHAEOLOGISTS.
THE FORT IS NOW A GAZETTED MONUMENT WITH ITS SURROUNDING AREA DESIGNATED AS A SPECIAL AREA+ UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE.
IT IS BELIEVED THE TUNG LUNG FORT COULD BE DATED BACK TO 350 YEARS AGO TO THE KANG HSI PERIOD OF THE CHING DYNASTY (1662 1772 AD).
BECAUSE OF ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION, THE FORT WAS BUILT THERE TO PROTECT COASTAL SHIPPING FROM PIRATES AT THE NARROW FAT TONG MUN STRAIT. ACCORDING TO THE GAZETTEER OF THE SAN ON DISTRICT, IT WAS ABANDONED AND ITS SMALL GARRISON MOVED TO KOWLOON IN 1810 BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP IT SUPPLIED.
IT IS ALSO ALLEGED THAT THE CHING GOVERNMENT ABANDONED THE FORT AFTER THE SURRENDER OF THE PIRATE FLEETS OF CHEUNG PO-TSAI, CHENG YAT AND CHENG LIN-CHEONG IN 1810. LOCAL PIRATES DOMINATED THE AREA BETWEEN 1735 AND 1810.
THE FORT HAD GRADUALLY FALLEN TO RUINS UNTIL EARLY 1979 WHEN IT WAS DECIDED TO RESTORE AND DISPLAY IT AS A HISTORICAL MONUMENT.
LED BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS SECTION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DR SOLOMON BARD, AND THE CURATOR OF THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY, MR BRIAN PEACOCK, A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS (MAINLY FROM THE HONG KONG ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY) AND HIRED WORKERS ARE CARRYING OUT MAJOR REPAIR AND RESTORATION WORK AT THE FORT.
OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING THERE TO CUT DOWN THE THICK OVERGROWTH, DISMANTLE CRUMBLING WALLS, AND CLEAR THE RUBBLE.
A VERY SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE CURRENT PHASE OF RESTORATION CAME FROM THE 6TH QUEEN ELIZABETH OWN GURKHA RIFLES, AND THE GURKHA ENGINEERS, WITH MAJOR P.A.T. UNDERHILL CO-ORDINATING THE EFFORTS.
THE SOLDIERS BUILT A WOODEN BRIDGE OVER THE ENTRANCE TO THE FORT, WHILE THE WESSEX HELICOPTER OF THE 28TH SQUADRON, RAF AIRLIFTED EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS TO THE SITE TO ENABLE THE WORKERS TO CARRY OUT THEIR MASSIVE PROJECT. THE HELP FROM THE ARMY AND THE AIR FORCE WAS VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PRESENT OPERATION.
STAFF OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (MAINTENANCE DIVISION) AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAVE ALL HELPED IN THE IR VARIOUS WAYS IN THE PROJECT.
+WE ARE NOW CARRYING OUT ANOTHER PHASE OF WORK AIMING AT STABILISING, REPAIRING AND WHERE NECESSARY REBUILDING THE COLLAPSED WALLS, DR BARD SAID.
/+CONSIDERABLE