Mysterious labyrinth of tunnels beneath Liverpool unearthed by volunteers

BBC ^ | Mar5ch 10, 2013 | Dan Curtis

[Thurifer the Censer]

Volunteers in Liverpool are giving up their free time to clear out a mysterious labyrinth of tunnels that lurk beneath the city's Edge Hill area. The tunnels were built and conceived in the early 19th century by eccentric businessman Joseph Williamson, who paid soldiers returning from the Napoleonic war to build them. No records were kept of how far they stretch, nor which direction they go in.

[Thurifer the Censer]

I am fascinated by the achievements of madmen.

[Paladin2]

So, you are a follower of Bammy?

[martin_fierro]

[aMorePerfectUnion]

You might also like what happens in underground paris... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFC6VmncWaE

[dfwgator]

Sounds like that’s where the Everton players were hiding after their disastrous FA Cup match this past weekend.

[Fresh Wind]

http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk/view.php?page=about

[PapaBear3625]

I am fascinated by the achievements of madmen.

Sounds like he was more of a "prepper" than a madman.

He was born in 1769. He would have been in his 20's during the French Revolution and the Terror. He probably thought there was at least a chance of rebellion, riot, or "civil unrest" at some point in his lifetime, or his children's lifetimes.

For a wealthy person, having an escape tunnel in case of serious trouble makes a lot of sense.

[martin_fierro]

Volunteers in Liverpool are giving up their free time to clear out a mysterious labyrinth of tunnels that lurk beneath the city's Edge Hill area.

I'm Down

The Friends of the Williamson Tunnels are removing the results of decades of Victorian "fly-tipping", hoping one day to expose tunnels which they believe could stretch for miles.

Searchin'

The tunnels were built and conceived in the early 19th century by eccentric businessman Joseph Williamson, who paid soldiers returning from the Napoleonic war to build them. No records were kept of how far they stretch, nor which direction they go in.

Long, Long, Long

After Williamson's death in 1840, the tunnels fell into disrepair. The site currently being cleared was filled with over 100 years' worth of ash and debris from a local bakery.

Fixing a Hole

BBC News was given a tour by volunteers who explained why they are so intrigued by Williamson's weird and wonderful world.

Magical Mystery Tour
Tell Me What You See

[dfwgator]

It took them down a long and winding road.

[martin_fierro]

For No One

[Never on my watch]

Is that where they buried Paul.

[AnAmericanInEngland]

Sir Alex Ferguson dug the tunnels, not this guy. All the better to undermine LFC, not that Liverpool needs any help being undermined, lately.

[Rebelbase]

Careful, lest the dragon be awoke.

[SMARTY]

Too bad the tunnels wheren’t open during the Blitz!

[Thurifer the Censer]

Shades of Vortigern and Merlin

[k4gypsyrose]

maybe they’ll find jimmy Hoffa

[az_gila]

The Williamson tunnels are definitely worth a tour.

The last of the Liverpool City Council horse yards was next door and some of the stuff dumped in the tunnels was horse ***.

An easy way to get rid of it...:^)

[niteowl77]

I knew about Liverpool's abandoned L&MR tunnels, but not these.

Amateur tunnelling was apparently popular in early 19th Century Britain. There is a story that George Stephenson was startled as he was walking through part of an uncompleted railway tunnel, having been hailed by an enthusiastic amateur tunneler who had managed to dig down to the arch of the tunnel. There were formidable eccentrics in those days.

Mr. niteowl77

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Thanks Thurifer the Censer. Maybe he had to hide his love away. Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[Perdogg]

The Si-Fan.