Canal tunnels in Belgium

During the 19th century several canal tunnels were built in Belgium, all located at the watershed between river-basins: IJzer/Yser - Leie/Lys, Leie/Lys - Schelde/Escaut, Schelde/Escaut - Maas/Meuse, and Maas/Meuse - Moezel/Moselle. In those days, constructing a canal tunnel was an undertaking with major risks. Of 6 launched projects, only 3 tunnels were put into service. Two attempts to build a tunnel on the canal Komen/Comines - Ieper/Ypres, to connect the Leie with the IJzer failed; the same happened with the tunnel on the Meuse - Moselle canal. The tunnels put into service for regular barge traffic where those on the canal Brussel/Bruxelles - Charleroi and Bossuit - Kortrijk.

The tunnel de la Bête Refaite is located near Godarville at the watershed between Schelde and Meuse and was part of the old disappeared 70 ton canal Brussels-Charleroi. Canal construction started in 1827, a few years before Belgium's independence. On September 22nd 1832, the canal was put into service. The tunnel's length was 1267 m, its width 3 m.

The tunnel was part of the old, now mostly disappeared, 300 ton canal Bossuit-Kortrijk connecting the Leie with the Schelde. During the late 70's, the canal was upgraded to allow traffic of 1350 ton barges, the tunnel was removed and replaced by a deep cut.

"Sprokkelingen uit Zwevegem's verleden -- deel 3 -- verzameld door Alberiek Ovaere Ere-onderwijzer" page 54-62; which is a translation into Dutch from a French newspaper article from "L'Union, journal de Courtrai et son arrondissement" edition: Friday June 26th 1857" specifies the estimated traffic, and how the canal construction was funded. Permission to build the canal was published in "Het staatsblad" of januari 23th 1857. The pumping-station, located in Bossuit had 2 pumps + 1 spare; each with a capacity of 950m3/hour and consuming 45 PK (HP). In the early days steam engines were used to drive the pumps. In 1858, construction was started by making a total of 13.280.000 bricks in 47 "field" ovens (for the tunnel, locks, and lock houses). The canal was officially inaugurated Jan 1st 1861. However, the canal was frozen and no traffic possible. The first barge passed the canal on February 7th 1861. The tunnel was dug using 9 pits. The railway track "Kortrijk-Avelgem-Ronse" which crossed the canal at the tunnel was put into service on June 1st 1869. The only thing referring to the old tunnel is the pub "Taverne De Souterrain" on the east bank.

The project to connect the Leie with the river IJzer via a canal from the Leie to connect with the Ieperlee canal at Ieper dates from the second half of the 19th century. The canal was never put into service. Four attempts were made, but all failed due to the unstable soil near Hollebeke. Landslides and collapses destroyed bridges and tunnels. The original project (1864-1866) included 14 locks and one 700m long tunnel near what is now known as the "Provinciaal Domein Palingbeek". A second attempt, dating from 1867-1868 and 1870-1873, tried to cross the ridge via the excavation of a deep cut. The third one (1889-1893) included a 350m long tunnel. During 1909-1913 the last attempt, including additional locks, was made. In 1913, at the eve of WW1, the St Eloois bridge collapsed and the project was abandoned. Most of the locks (without gates) are still in place.

The tunnel de Godarville was aimed to replace the 70 ton tunnel de la Bête Refaite located on the the 70 ton canal Brussels-Charleroi. It was constructed by l'entreprise Dauderni between 1882 and 1885. The tunnel was 1050 m long, 8 m wide, and 9 m high.

Excerpt from http://users.skynet.be/genehist/dauderni.htm:
En mars 1882, l'Entreprise Daudergnies est en Belgique pour le percement du tunnel de Godarville, sur le canal Bruxelles-Charleroi. Le Ministère belge des Travaux publics fait appel au savoir-faire de Daudergnies car le souterrain doit traverser des terrains sablonneux entrecoupés de sources. Ce travail mené à bien sera inauguré en 1885. (En quelques chiffres, ce tunnel mesure plus d'un kilomètre de long, d'une hauteur de 9 mètres et d'une largeur de 8 mètres. Sa réalisation a nécessité l'évacuation de 120.000 m3 de sable et l'exécution de plus de 50.000 m3 de maçonnerie.) La Commission des Monuments et des Sites a classé cet ouvrage d'art, en juin 1978. Au cours des travaux de Godarville, Ferdinand de Lesseps, diplomate français, instigateur du canal de Corinthe, du canal de Suez et du canal inter-océanique de Panama rencontre Jean Baptiste. La renommée de son entreprise est grande et de Lesseps estime que Daudergnies pourrait résoudre bien des problèmes rencontrés sur la terre colombienne.