The Chimney with the height of 106' - 6" (32.5 meters) appears square shapped with an inner hollowstructure. Thousands of red bricks were used to construct the monument reflecting typical English architecture. More than 23,00 red bricks were used merely to construct the outer walls of the Chimney. Excavation works revealed that the Chimney's base comprised of at least 12 layers of bricks (approximately 1 metre) in the formation of steps. It sits firmly on a large tract of limestone rock containing rich kaolin or porcelain clay which provided the strong foundation.

This strong natural foundation has kept the base stable. This is amazing because even without the modern technology of today, the structure still remains sound. Two arches at the chimney base functions as a wind breaker to protect the tower from strong winds. Steel rods use in the construction of the structure prevents cracking and at the same time stabilize the Chimney's base. Meanwhile, the monuments summit is supported by metal sheets to strengthen the upper structure.

Situated on a rise at Tanjung Kubong is the famous ‘Chimney’, a 106 feet high red brick stack believed to be linked to the coal mining days of Labuan. The Chimney, 106 feet tall, was made from more than 23,000 pieces of red bricks imported from ngland. The bricks layering and works are typical of British style. Text source : Labuan Tourism

The ‘Chimney’ was long thought to be nothing more than a ventilation shaft. However, recent findings revealed that there were no traces of smokes or burning to suggest its use as a chimney as popularly believed. Careful digging has revealed at least 12 layers of bricks beneath the surface. The structure sits firmly on a large tract of limestone rock containing rich kaolin or porcelain clay, which provided the strong foundation.

The ‘Chimney’ is still very much a mystery until today. Various hypothesis has been put forward to its purpose. Some said it was an unfinished mansion. While others said it was a light house beaconing passing ships. In its heyday, a thriving settlement was built at the sea front area below the Chimney. It was then used as a bell tower to announce the arrival of ships to the residents below. It has become an intriguing riddle that fascinates locals and visitors alike.
Text Source : Labuan Tourism

Explorace was here

Inside the Museum

Visitors can take a look around the chimney from the top of it by using this camera remotely controlled from the museum (next to the counter)

The original paperworks for the excavation and restoring purpose of the Chimney

Location : Tanjung Kubong, next to Labuan Bird Park
Fee : Free admission

The Blue Water Wreck

Name : MABINI PADRE
Type : Stern Trawler
Dimension : L80 m, B12 m, DR6 m.
Year built : Unknown
Built by : Unknown

This wreck lies northeast of Kuraman Island and is 34 km from Labuan. It gets its name from the very clear "blue" waters it lies. Of all the wrecks, this one has the best visibility. The wreck is the "MABINI PADRE", a large Philippines fishing trawler, which caught fire and sank in 1981. It is an interesting site for divers as it is completely intact. It also supports a wealth of marine life like soft corals, grouper and bat fish.

The Cement Wreck

Name : MV Tung Hwuang
Type : Freighter
Dimension : L92 m, W15m, DR7 m
Year built : Unknown
Built by : Unknown

The "TUNG HWANG" is a freighter that sank while transporting cement to Brunei for the Sultan's new palace. It hit the Samarang Bank and sank as it tried to reach Labuan for repairs. Fortunately, no lives were lost. The wreck now lies east of Kuraman Island and just 21 km from Labuan. It has settled in an upright position. It is the easiest wreck to navigate, making it ideal for training in wreck diving. Divers can swim around in the cargo hold and docks. There is a great variety of marine life to be found here including barracuda, turtles, lion fish and reef fish. Soft and hard corals grow on the surface of the wreck, which makes this the best Labuan wreck for underwater photography.

The Australian Wreck

Name : SS De Klerk
Type : Cargo/Passenger Steamer
Dimension : L85 m, B12 m, DR6 m.
Year built : 1900
Built by : Unknown

This wreck lies south west of Rusukan Besar Island about 23 km from Labuan and is anything but Australian. It is the wreck of a cargo and passenger steamer originally named SS De KLERK, built in Amsterdam in 1990 and plying what was then the Dutch West Indies. During World War II the Dutch scuttled the ship to prevent it from falling into Japanese hands. But the Japanese salvaged the ship and renamed it the "Imbari Maru". In 1949 while on a voyage to Manila it struck a mine off Labuan and sank. 339 passengers lost their lives, mostly workers and prisoners of war. The wreck lies on the sea bed under 21 meters of water. Experienced divers will enjoy exploring the interior of the wreck. Others will appreciate the variety of marine life around it, including soft corals, lion fish and seldom-seen frog fish. It is a good subject for underwater photography.

The American Wreck

Name : USS Salute
Type : US Navy Minesweeper
Dimension : L 184 ft, B33 ft, DR9 ft.
Year Built : 1943
Built by : Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Co. Seattle, Washington DC USA

This wreck lies south-east of Rusukan Kecil Island, 1.4 km away from the Australian wreck and about 24 km from Labuan. It is the "USS SALUTE", a US Navy Minesweeper built in Seattle, Washington in 1943. It was first put into service in Hawaii in 1944 escorting convoys between Pearl Harbor and several ports in the Far East. Later it was involved in intense action, providing protection for anti-aircraft vessels and submarine, as well as minesweeping. After several minesweeping operations in the Philippines, the ship began operating in Brunei Bay where it struck a mine in 1945. Nine US sailors lost their lives when she sank.

Text and Image source : Cuti Malaysia