A 1944 map of the Batteries and underground tunnels of Gibraltar by Colonel Joseph Marie Emile "Pop" Gareze shows Wilson's Cave near the Magazine Ramp of Green Lane Magazine, to the north of Flat Bastion Hospital.[2]
It is named after Major W.H. Wilson, who commanded a company of the Royal Engineers.[3]
History
Tito Vallejo states that the cave was discovered when Magazine Ramp was being excavated during World War II.
A section of the ramp's tunnel collapsed and revealed a natural cavity in the limestone.[2][3]
The miners were carrying out extensive tunnelling within the Rock to develop a structure to absorb a possible blast (known as a blast trap) from an exploding magazine when part of the tunnel caved into the natural cavity.
The magazine was served from Doncaster Adit off the Great North Road which supplied vehicular access to the outside.[4]
Appearance
In November 1944 the Illustrated London News reported that British Sappers had discovered a new cave, named "Wilson's Cave" after the commander of the tunneling party that found it.
The cave was about 60 feet (18 m) long and had an average height of about 30 feet (9.1 m).
It contained attractive stalgmites and stactites with diameters ranging from under 1 inch (25 mm) to over 1 foot (0.30 m).
A steep "glacier" of limestone flowed from one end of the cave.
A formation in the roof resembled a petrified curtain.[5]
Notes
^Another cave in Gibralter formerly named Wilson's Cave has been renamed Gorham's Cave.
This cave opens off Governor's Beach, and is a site of major archaeological significance.[1]
