Boiler at Sandakan POW Camp

"The boiler and remaining piece of an alternator were part of the electricty generation plant for the Sandakan POW camp. The plant was built by the British prior to Japanese occupation of Borneo (then British North Borneo). The boiler produced steam which in turn powered an engine driving the alternator. The system produced 110 volts and this electricity was used for the camp perimeter lighting and internal lighting in camp buildings. The plant was housed in two huts and was feulled with firewood which was cut and stacked by the POWs.

The power plant played an important role for the POWs' underground network during 1942-43. In order to obtain sufficient voltage to operate the clandestine radio made by the prisoners, the Australians had the local operator of the plant, Chan Ping (also called Ah Ping), increase the power suply in the evenings. The arrangement worked well untilthe Japanese discovered the underground in July 1943."