Another day of 29 degree temperature without a cloud in the sky so where did we head to cool down. The underground hospital. When Darwin was bombed in 1942 Mount Isa decided to build an underground hospital with the miners volunteering to help. They worked their 8 hour shift at the mine then did 8 hours at the hospital. It consists of three parallel tunnels joined at one end by a 20 metre tunnel, creating an E shape. They had a male ward, female ward, maternity/children's ward and even a birthing room and surgical room. Thankfully they never had to use it and in the early 1950's the entrances were covered with earth. It was rediscovered in 1977 when one tunnel partially collapsed. Due to H&S regulations the roof was re-shored and tunnels resealed. All the furniture and equipment is still there and now on display. I had to don the hard hat and help the tour guide. As well as the hospital and museum they have a tent house (including furniture and homewares) which was used in 1930 to house the booming population. We enjoyed going through the hospital. Something different to the standard museums and even better when the volunteer charged us the concession price. The tour guide told us that the mine blasts twice a day around 8 am and 8 pm and that we should have at least heard it if we didn't feel it. We didn't really notice last night or this morning but will pay extra attention tonight.
No comments:
Post a Comment