Joseph Williamson.
Under the streets of Liverpool, England’s Edge Hill district tunnels stretch for miles. The residents know they were built between 1810 and 1840 by eccentric local business man, Joseph Williamson, but no one knows their true purpose, reports Chris Baraniuk for BBC.
Why are there tunnels under Liverpool?
The Williamson Tunnels are a series of extensive subterranean excavations, of unknown purpose, in the Edge Hill area of Liverpool, England. They are thought to have been created under the direction of tobacco merchant, landowner and philanthropist Joseph Williamson between 1810 and 1840.
Why did Williamson build tunnels?
Williamson therefore built the tunnels as a place into which he and his fellow believers could escape to avoid the catastrophe and emerge later to build a new city.
What are three possible reasons why the Williamson Tunnels were built?
According to the Friends of the Williamson Tunnels, “the purpose of the construction is not known with any certainty. Theories range from pure philanthropy, offering work to the unemployed of the district, to religious extremism, the tunnels being an underground haven from a predicted Armageddon.”
What did Joseph Williamson do?
Sir Joseph Williamson, PRS (25 July 1633 – 3 October 1701) was an English civil servant, diplomat and politician who sat in the House of Commons of England variously between 1665 and 1701 and in the Irish House of Commons between 1692 and 1699. He was Secretary of State for the Northern Department from 1674 to 1679.
How many people died building the Mersey tunnel?
Over 1700 men worked on the building of the Queensway Tunnel, with 17 sadly killed during the construction. Teams started work on both the Wirral and Liverpool sides of the Mersey.
How deep is the Liverpool tunnel?
The Mersey Mole” was the name given to the huge mechanical boring machine which sliced its way through the ground from Wallasey to Liverpool when the Wallasey tunnel was built. 19. The depth below riverbed of the Wallasey tunnel is an average 40ft.
Are Williamson Tunnels open to public?
The Centre is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tours run every hour at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 1.30, 2,30, and 3.30. All tours must be booked in advance by telephoning 0151 709 6868 between 10.00am and 3.00pm on the three days that we are open.
Who built the first tunnels?
The first tunnel built whose engineer is known was excavated in the island of Samos. The engineer Eupalinos de Megara, built this tunnel in the 530 b.C to supply with water the capital of the island and was, with its 1 km length, considered as one of the three marvels of the helenic world.
How was Liverpool tunnel made?
Work started with construction by hand of an 8ft high pilot tunnel through sandstone under the River Mersey. It took about a year to complete. Then the giant laser-guided ‘Mersey Mole’ arrived to excavate the main tube.
How big are the Williamson Tunnels?
The excavations have uncovered tunnels in various sizes from the so called ‘banqueting hall’ that is about 64 feet long, 14 feet wide and 27 feet high to tunnels that are 4 feet wide and 6 feet tall.
How were the tunnels built?
There are three basic types of tunnel construction in common use. Cut-and-cover tunnels are constructed in a shallow trench and then covered over. Bored tunnels are constructed in situ, without removing the ground above. Finally, a tube can be sunk into a body of water, which is called an immersed tunnel.
Why did anybody not know about the long tunnels?
(c) Why did anybody not know about the long tunnel?(i) it is a secret tunnel under the city (ii) it is kept hidden from public. (iii) it is a kind of magical tunnel (iv) because nobody went to that See what the community says and unlock a badge.
Who was the mad mole of Liverpool?
Joseph Williamson
Joseph Williamson was an eccentric, businessman, property owner and a philanthropist whose philanthropy earned him the nickname the King of Edge Hill, whilst his tunnel-building activity earned him posthumous nicknames, including the Mole of Edge Hill and the Mad Mole.
Who is Williamson Square in Liverpool named after?
Williamson Square is in the city centre of Liverpool, England. It was initially laid out as a residential square in the 1745 by Mr Williamson.
When was Sjwms founded?
Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School was founded in 1701 in accordance with the last will and testament of Sir Joseph Williamson, who bequeathed five thousand pounds “towards the building and carrying on and perpetual maintaining of a free school at Rochester for the instructing and educating of such youth there
Are there sharks in the Mersey?
And whilst most don’t often think of the UK for sharks , Merseyside has 23 known species.
Who owns the Mersey Tunnels?
Merseytravel
The road tunnels are owned and operated by Merseytravel, and have their own police force, the Mersey Tunnels Police. In 1967 it was announced that the “Mersey Tunnel Scheme” was now operational.
Can you walk under the Mersey?
Please Note: You cannot walk through either of the Mersey Tunnels. You may cycle through the Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel at certain times.
What is the deepest tunnel in the UK?
As one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways, the Standedge Tunnel is the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in Great Britain.
Where is the deepest tunnel in the world?
Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the world’s longest and deepest tunnel. It runs under the Swiss alps between the towns of Erstfeld in the north and Bodio in the south. The tunnel is 57 km long and reaches a depth of 2,300 meters.