The Channel Tunnel (26 december 1913)

From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia

The Channel Tunnel is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle published in The Times on 26 december 1913.



The Channel Tunnel

The Times (26 december 1913)

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir, — The following dialogue which I had recently with a distinguished naval officer of the younger school may seem to bear upon this subject :—

Q.- What Would be the result if a flotilla of submarines got among a fleet of transport carrying troops ?

A.- They would he helpless. They would be destroyed.

Q.- Could submarines be prevented from coming down the North Sea in war time ?

A.- I don't see how they could.

Q.- Would a cordon across the Straits of Dover protect transports to the south of that cordon ?

A.- Submarines could only easily dive under any cordon.

In a word it would be impossible under present conditions to send any expeditionary force abroad without grave risk of appalling disaster. Is this not a sound military argument for a tunnel ?

Yours faithfully,

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex, Dec. 23.


See also