How big are the Williamson Tunnels?
The tunnels range in size from a huge hall — 70 feet long, 25 feet wide with 20 foot ceilings — to a narrow passage four feet wide and six feet high. It is still unknown how many tunnels there are and how far they reach, as excavations are still underway. In 1989, the Joseph Williamson Society was founded.
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.”
When were the Williamson Tunnels built?
19th Century
They are the work of Joseph Williamson under the streets of east central Liverpool, constructed in the early part of the 19th Century.
What are the tunnels in Liverpool called?
The Mersey Tunnels connect the city of Liverpool with Wirral, under the River Mersey. There are three tunnels: the Mersey Railway Tunnel (opened 1886), and two road tunnels, the Queensway Tunnel (opened 1934) and the Kingsway Tunnel (opened 1971).
What is the deepest tunnel in the UK?
Standedge Tunnel
Standedge Tunnel is unlike any other boating passage in the country, passing under miles of Pennine countryside under Standedge Moor. Construction began in 1794, and it’s credited with helping to fuel the industrial revolution in the North West of England.
Does Liverpool have an underground?
With 4 city centre underground stations – Lime Street lower level, Liverpool Central, Moorfields and James Street – you can easily get around the city, giving you more time to see everything Liverpool has to offer.
Which Mersey tunnel is longest?
the Queensway tunnel
Build a road tunnel under the Mersey to link communities on either side. At just over 2 miles (3.24km) the Queensway tunnel was the longest road tunnel in the world when it opened in 1934. The central part of the tunnel under the river is just under a mile (1.6km) long.
Why are there tunnels in Edge Hill England?
Why the tunnels are even here might be another history lesson – but, for the most part, is a mystery. Born in England in 1769, Joseph Williamson was a successful tobacco merchant. He ploughed his money back into the local area – Edge Hill – by employing men to build houses.
Who was the man who built the tunnels in Liverpool?
Williamson Tunnels under Edge Hill, in Liverpool. Photo: Friend of Williamson’s Tunnels Joseph Williamson was a wealthy businessman, but he was not born into wealth. His father was a poor glassmaker. Poverty forced Joseph to leave his family behind in Warrington and seek employment under the tobacco merchant Richard Tate in Liverpool.
Where are the Williamson Tunnels in Liverpool England?
Location of Williamson Tunnels in Merseyside. The Williamson Tunnels are a series of extensive subterranean excavations, of unknown purpose, in the Edge Hill area of Liverpool, England. They were created under the direction of tobacco merchant, landowner and philanthropist Joseph Williamson between 1810 and 1840.
Where was the Wapping Tunnel in Liverpool located?
The land flattens out at this point. In 1829, the Liverpool to Manchester passenger railway entered from Manchester in the east, with the passenger terminal located at Crown Street, Edge Hill. In order to transport goods to and from Liverpool docks, the 1.26 mile Wapping Tunnel was bored under Liverpool to the South End Docks.