It’s the ‘Eiffel tower’ of Labuan. It is situated on a rise at Tanjung Kubong. This is a 106 feet high red brick stack building. It is believed to be linked to the coal mining days in Labuan. Believe it or not, this 106 feet high Chimney was made out of more than 23,000 pieces of red bricks. The bricks layering and work are of typical British design.
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 exploration has revealed at least 12 layers of bricks beneath the surface. The structure sits firmly on a large track of limestone rock rich in kaolin or porcelain clay, which provide the strong foundation.
The Chimney mysterious until today. Some said it was a light house as a signal or guide for passing ships while others said it was an unfinished mansion. In its heyday, a thriving settlement was built at the sea front below the Chimney. It was then used as a bell tower to signal the arrival of ships to the residents below. It has become an intriguing riddle that fascinates locals and visitors.
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