View Full Version : Williamson Tunnels
ARCHAEOLOGISTS yesterday uncovered the lost grave of philanthropist Joseph Williamson for just a few hours, before burying the tomb once more.
Local historians from the Friends of the Williamson Tunnels have been searching for the exact location of the grave for the past 10 years and said the find came at the 11th hour.
It was the third time archaeologists had searched for the grave of the "Mole of Edge Hill" who created a labyrinth of tunnels under Liverpool in the 1800s.
And it was the final attempt to excavate the site, in a car park opposite police headquarters at Canning Place, which is part of the new Paradise Street development.
Members of the Friends of Williamson Tunnels said they were losing hope that the grave would be found on time.
Trustee Bill Douglas said: "The dig was due to finish at 5pm so this was the last chance to find it.
"We broke through just after midday. When the archaeologist saw the name, we all cheered."
Although the group knew Williamson was buried in the former churchyard of St Thomas's church - which was demolished and turned into a car park - the precise location was unclear.
Williamson campaigner Gabriel Muies said the area will be turned into a garden with a commemorative plaque thanks to Paradise Street developer Grosvenor.
He added: "I am absolutely over the moon. Williamson was a great benefactor for the unemployed in Liverpool.
"Grosvenor have agreed, at great expense, to turn it into a garden and have saved it."
The grave itself was due to be reburied by 5pm yesterday, according to archaeologist Jamie Quartermaine, from Oxford Archaeology North. He said finding the grave was an important link in the city's history.
"From a social history point of view, Williamson is of incredible importance and to find his grave is something most Liverpudlians can identify with.
"He's one of the city's eccentric personalities and we have been working on trying to find the grave for a number of weekends.
"We were struggling to find it so today has been very satisfying.
"The slab will not be visible after today - we are not grave robbers and we are not going to move it. It's an archeological recording."
Another trustee of the Friends of the Williamson Tunnels, Steve Moran, said he would like the grave to be visible to the public, but said he was just pleased it had been found.
He said: "Everyone's elated. We have been looking for this for 10 years and it's a proud moment."
The grave, which houses every member of the Tate family which Joseph Williamson married into, is surprisingly modest.
There is no religious inscription on the 7ft by 3ft gravestone, amended when Williamson was buried in 1840 to simply read: "Also the Remains of Joseph Williamson of Edge Hill Who died the 1st May 1840 Aged 71 Years."
Source: Here (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16286341%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=mole%2ds%2dgrave%2dfound%2dat%2dlast-name_page.html)...
So it's just a gravstone theyfound? No Coffin.
Aren't they supposed to move the bodys when there changing a graveyard into something else?
Where will they rebury it.
Ain't been to those tunnels though.
He was born in Warrington too.
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/oct2005/5/9/000B79CC-A29F-135C-969A0C01AC1BF814.jpg
CAMPAIGNERS were staging a protest today outside a city property auction in a bid to block the £1m sale of the former lord mayor's stable yard.
The derelict site, on Smithdown Lane, Edge Hill, is being sold with planning permission for a three-storey block of student flats.
But it lies above one of the Williamson tunnels, the famous triple decker, and there are fears construction work could damage the historic under-ground attraction.
Les Coe, of the Friends of Williamson Tunnels, said: "The land up for sale is a large cobbled section of the stable yard.
"Underneath the land are some of the most spectacular tunnels. We're worried by the plans, as the construction of flats would almost certainly damage the tunnels beneath."
The planning permission was granted in 2001 despite objections from conservationists.
The Williamson tunnels have been described by heritage experts as one of the " wonders of Liverpool". more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16738578%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=fears%2dfor%2dhistoric%2dtunnels-name_page.html)
Who's been? What was it like?
http://www.williamsontunnels.com/
julia
02-24-2006, 03:18 AM
I went into the tunnels a few years ago. I believe it was the very year they first opened to the public. Was fab, definitely an E-ticket. :thumbsup:
Word of advice: If you do take the tour and the guide mentions discovering spiders in the tunnels, please roll your eyes at him for me. Ta
Report:
http://static.flickr.com/56/184907729_a4aad26e48.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/184907729/)
I entered the Williamson Tunnels public bit which contained the famous double tunnels, bar/ snack area and was met by Ian who has been working on the tunnels for many years and began speaking passionately about them including the planning permission they had just applied for to begin excavasion of The Paddington Tunnels, a mile of more tunnels under the Bears Pub area (Click here for map (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=336459&y=390377&z=0&sv=L7%208SZ&st=PostCode&lu=N&tl=%7E&ar=y&bi=%7E&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf)). Ian gave me his actual sausage roll as they had none left, a nice gesture and very kind of him.
http://static.flickr.com/46/185363049_21e2b303f2_o.gif
I've highlited the approximate area in red to show you the limited area that was open to us, plus the other tunnel locations that are known and have been identified and explored by members of the Williamson Tunnels.
http://static.flickr.com/44/184905150_e9566f5ec0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/184905150/)
Various artifacts have been found and are on display in the entrance area plus around the tunnel route.
http://static.flickr.com/74/184905469_47622f469e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/184905469/)
After we all paid, plus a little bit extra to help the Tunnels organisation stay afloat, we were given hard hats and met our guide. He assembled us in front of these large 'stable' type doors and began his talk, in which he spoke with passion and enthusiasm about The Mole of Edge Hill, where he was born plus more background history of the great man himself.
http://static.flickr.com/1/184905530_5fef86168e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/184905530/)
The doors were opened and we were greeted by an excavated area of the tunnels. The area on the right used to be a floor laid by the Williamson Tunnel people until they discovered that there were more tunnels underneath, so the floor came up! It was truely amazing to listen to the history of the area and how the tunnels were used and abused over the years, they were filled in at one stage by ash from the houses above.
http://static.flickr.com/51/184912497_4e831cad3c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/184912497/)
Everywhere we turned there were tunnels 'here, there and everywhere'.
http://static.flickr.com/46/184906292_ffee771bd1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/184906292/)
The Kebab
Various bore holes were made over the years by workman above at ground level, these were drilled and filled with concrete and nothing to do with Joseph Williamson and his men. The stayed and this one was affectionately called The Kebab :).
http://static.flickr.com/58/184906666_b2ac6c0e63.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/184906666/)
We had completed a full circuit of the section opened to the public which took 40 minutes. The end brought us back to the 'double tunnel' just above the bar area. Our guide explained that any artifact that was found undamaged was taken to the museum, on display here were many broken examples of pottery etc.
We were taken back down the stairs and into the entrance area were the talk continued. He was recruiting volunteers to dig out more holes so if you fancy it give them a ring!
This tour comes highly recommended. View the other pictures here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/sets/72157594191934772/). You may also be interested in the videos (dark but lots of information) here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUqhot6RK5c) and here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P5fVjHsqIw).
Next, it was off to Coopers for a beer and to meet up with Doug Roberts and Woody.
Paul D
07-09-2006, 11:19 AM
Thanks for taking time out to do that Kev it was a great day out all round and those tunnels are great.Here's a couple of my pictures taken on the tour.
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3416/bottles2sp.jpg
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/3870/pottery7tv.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9715/handcart9fi.jpg
Waterways
07-09-2006, 11:43 AM
Williamson was obnviously a cuckoo. He was a philanthopist for sure. But there are better ways to spend your money and keep people employed than pointless tunnels. He could have built larger better homes for the poor or a hospital or whatever. Things that would improve people's livies for years to come.
The tunnels were assessed by the army in WW2 for military or air-raid use, but rejected as requiring too much work to get into service.
lindylou
07-09-2006, 01:03 PM
That was a good report on the tunnels. :)
victorialush
07-10-2006, 02:08 PM
Williamson was obnviously a cuckoo. He was a philanthopist for sure. But there are better ways to spend your money and keep people employed than pointless tunnels. He could have built larger better homes for the poor or a hospital or whatever. Things that would improve people's livies for years to come.
The tunnels were assessed by the army in WW2 for military or air-raid use, but rejected as requiring too much work to get into service.
Wow, you take my breath away with your sheer negativity on this website! :Colorz_Grey_PDT_24:
Them photos are great Kev, and thanks for the update!
Brenda
07-10-2006, 02:37 PM
Brilliant pics Kev and Paul, and the report was really interesting, I find this type of thing about the tunnels fascinating and the ferry trip takes me back to when I was a kid going to New Brighton.....Ahhhh them were the days eh?.
:PDT_Piratz_26: :celb (23):
Waterways
07-10-2006, 02:49 PM
Wow, you take my breath away with your sheer negativity on this website!
Nice pics. Everyone is trying to make out these tunnels are something wonderful. They are not. They are as about as useful as the pyramids (tombs). Interesting yes. I may even visit myself.
Williamson was a warped philanthropist. Building tunnels was just utterly pointless. That is not negative, it is just how it is.
I saw on the web pics of men who walked, illegaly, the Wapping and Waterloo tunnels. Great. Rail tunnels that served the docks and did something very useful, and may be back in commission again.
A fantastic day was had by all involved.
@Waterways - behave yourself mate :PDT_Piratz_26: Being underground and seeing the tunnels being lovingly uncovered by the hardwork of volunteers was impressive, the progress they had made, the tunnels that went knowhere, the triple decker tunnels just found. Facinating. The man also employed his men to begin building the collumns around the Albert Dock. If you look closely at the collumns, 2 of them in the corner are white, the rest red.
Williamson's men built 2 out of stone and were not in a rush, the iron red ones were produced for speed.
The man was a crank, no doubt.
Louis
07-10-2006, 03:29 PM
one of the stories of why he built the tunnels was that he thought the end of the world was near so the tunnels would provide a habitat for people to live underground or something along those lines
Waterways
07-10-2006, 03:59 PM
The man also employed his men to begin building the collumns around the Albert Dock. If you look closely at the collumns, 2 of them in the corner are white, the rest red.
Williamson's men built 2 out of stone and were not in a rush, the iron red ones were produced for speed.
The man was a crank, no doubt.
3 stone pillars in fact. Are you saying the Albert Dock was supposed to have stone pillars all around, but they went to cast iron to speed up the job because Williamson's men were too slow?
A large tobacco warehouse was were Albert Dock is now. Williamson was into tobacco and may have had something to do with the warehosue and hence Albert Dock.
they went to cast iron to speed up the job because Williamson's men were too slow?
that bit :)
one of the stories of why he built the tunnels was that he thought the end of the world was near so the tunnels would provide a habitat for people to live underground or something along those lines
Yeah yeah!! Louis, He beleived the apocolypse was upon us, But he provided much needed jobs to the poorest quarters in this city while it had some of the poorest boroughs in the devoloped world, and the highest infant mortality rate in the entire world .
Nice pics. Everyone is trying to make out these tunnels are something wonderful. They are not. They are as about as useful as the pyramids (tombs). Interesting yes. I may even visit myself.
Williamson was a warped philanthropist. Building tunnels was just utterly pointless. That is not negative, it is just how it is.
I saw on the web pics of men who walked, illegaly, the Wapping and Waterloo tunnels. Great. Rail tunnels that served the docks and did something very useful, and may be back in commission again.
Its a homegrown history, and a massive tourist attraction.
And the Waterloo tunnel ?....... illegally walked ?....... where was it illegal, was it due to H&S issues perchance?
And was'nt the tunnel once considered in regards as a new through-fare into the city centre...
And who is going to re-open this tunnel?, British Rail ?
Waterways
07-10-2006, 06:07 PM
And the Waterloo tunnel ?....... illegally walked ?....... where was it illegal, was it due to H&S issues perchance?
It's private property
And was'nt the tunnel once considered in regards as a new through-fare into the city centre...
It was
And who is going to re-open this tunnel?, British Rail ?
[/QUOTE]
The Wapping Tunnel emerges opposite Queens Dock from Edge Hill. It crosses the tunnel from Garston to Central Station at Gt Georges St/Duke St - only feet between them
There was proposals to join the two so trains can head east to Edge Hill and West to Queens Dock, and dig out a station at the University.
There was also a proposal that trains would emerge from the tunnel and rise on an elevated bridge over the Dock Road and into Kings Dock.
Another was trains emerging from the tunnel and travel on a new Overhead along the same route and join the northern line further up around the Waterloo Tunnel entrance. An over head tarion gantry would spoil views, so I don't like this one.
The Waterloo Tunnel was proposed to take trains on the Northern line to Edge Hill and beyond. Trains emerging could go north or south and a station there for Central Docks. Also a station could be cut into the tunnel at any point along its length. One was proposed near to Everton and have EFCs stadium on the park. The park is a desolate open space – an after thought.
Any ideas?
Any Idea's ?
Yeah, that took you the last half hour too google that.....
My suggestion is we should'nt have trashed Edge Lane, when there was a perfect route into the city-centre already laying under our feet.
exactly what the fella said in the tunnels.
exactly what the fella said in the tunnels.
He must have been a scouser :D
Terry
07-10-2006, 10:01 PM
It saddens me to think someone could dismiss what has been achieved here in such a casual & cavalier way.Firstly as far as i'm aware we don't know what his reasons were for building these tunnels.But it begs the question why would people go to all this trouble & hard work for no good reason at all.This could become a really big tourist magnet in years to come & who knows they may well be put to even better use one day.
I for one would feel safe down there.I've got more faith in his work than of his modern contemporaries.
I sincerely hope this project & it's dedicated team get the recognition they deserve.
Finally i love how everything was displayed & would like to send my thanks to everyone who posted the photos & videos from this unique day out.
Terry!!!, I knew you a was a good lad :D
Waterways
07-10-2006, 11:06 PM
Any Idea's ?
Yeah, that took you the last half hour too google that.....
You made that up. Intimidated by knowledge I see.
My suggestion is we should'nt have trashed Edge Lane, when there was a perfect route into the city-centre already laying under our feet.
Edge Lane Station?
Waterways
07-10-2006, 11:11 PM
It saddens me to think someone could dismiss what has been achieved here in such a casual & cavalier way.Firstly as far as i'm aware we don't know what his reasons were for building these tunnels.But it begs the question why would people go to all this trouble & hard work for no good reason at all.
There was no reason at all. No one in nearly 200 years has figured out what the hell they were for. To keep people occupied was the only reason that has emerged.
This could become a really big tourist magnet in years to come & who knows they may well be put to even better use one day.
You may be right. As are the equally useless as the pyramids. But there is no mystique at how the tunnels were built.
I for one would feel safe down there.I've got more faith in his work than of his modern contemporaries.
I sincerely hope this project & it's dedicated team get the recognition they deserve.
Finally i love how everything was displayed & would like to send my thanks to everyone who posted the photos & videos from this unique day out.
Same here.
You made that up. Intimidated by knowledge I see.
Edge Lane Station?
Government says yes to Edge Lane gateway (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16708656&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=government-says-yes-to-edge-lane-gateway-name_page.html)
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new gateway to Liverpool were given the green light last night by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
Nearly 500 homes and 24 businesses will be demolished due to huge expansion plans for Edge Lane.
Waterways
07-10-2006, 11:45 PM
government-says-yes-to-edge-lane-gateway-
I can't see how that can use the Williamson tunnels.
exactly what the fella said in the tunnels.:rolleyes:
Check this video out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf0b4_IPp4I
Scousemouse
09-27-2006, 01:19 AM
The Urban M62
The route was essentially following the rail line in towards the city, approximately as far as Edge Hill station, with three lanes each way. At Durning Road, there would have been an east-facing junction where one lane was dropped; Durning Road and Upper Parliament Street were to be dualled as part of the scheme to provide access to the south of the city centre from here.
The remaining two lanes of the M62 would then enter twin two-lane bored tunnels, emerging at a final west-facing junction, and heading west along the line of Islington to end at a three-way junction near Lime Street Station.
SOURCE (http://www.cbrd.co.uk/histories/lim/m62.shtml)
Some BBC2 Documentry of some fella going inside the tunnels.
Wanted to set a horror story in it and too and had some story that was not set in the willliamson tunnels.
theninesisters
10-30-2006, 07:00 PM
Check out www.stableyard.moonfruit.com - I did a website on the Stable Yard a few months back! Stopped the
sale going through anyway!!
theninesisters
12-28-2006, 07:02 PM
IanW's posting gave me some thought on the Tunnels and after a good nose around my E-mail's, I came across a posting I made to a forum years ago about my first visit, long before I became a committee member. Now I can tell the chap who guided me a thing or two but am indebted to him for showing me around!
On Saturday at 12 noon, I walked to the house (JW's house..the front
which is
all that is left) and met up with a few people that I know from e-mailing
them
and phoning them and it's always nice to put a face to a voice at last!
After
signing in and they made sure that I couldn't sue them if I hurt myself
then it
was off to choose a helmet and off I went.
In the yard were three open doors, the first led to the banqueting hall,
the
second to the boiler room and the third to the wine bins.
First up was the banqueting hall and thinking I'll only have to jump down
a
small hole..I sort of got a shock seeing a ladder disappear in to the
darkness
looking down the hole!
Curiosity got the better of me though and I began me decent down the
ladder..two
things which stuck in my head..one they said that I needed a helmet to go
down,
which after scraping my head all the time I was thankful for and two was
to
dress scruffy because it's dark and dirty down there and you'll get
covered...so
here's me in my decent leather jacket thinking i'll be careful lol...hmm
bad
mistake!
Once off the ladder the 6 or so people gathered in this small room and
were told
exactly that we were not standing on the floor..but about 10ft off the
ground
and all the rubbish that had piled up over the years were covering yet
more
tunnels that we didn't yet know about.
The archway that we looked at was absolutely perfect and yet cut by hand
and you
could not fault it today. It was completely strange to think that all the
work
that had gone in to the various tunnels and archways yet only one person
would
see it and that would be JW himself.
Everything was carefully finished off in the stonework and everything
looked
like it was done 2 weeks ago it was so perfectly smooth and looked so
professional.
While looking at the rubble on the floor, we think that there are more
tunnel
entrances however a small gap in the wall..probably about 2 foot square
gives
the impression that it leads to somewhere, it has not yet been fully
cleared out
mainly because no one seems to want to go down there so I told them that
I was
quite willing to see what was down there once work had begun to clear out
:)
These tunnels, because no contract has not yet been fully signed up are
not free
of rubble and were very slippery and even with my good sense of balance
you
always managed to whack your head (helmet) against something but always
saw the
funny side of it.
Passing the ladder to the otherside, we were led to a passageway that was
no
bigger than about 2 foot and it meant a tight squeeze through..but this
led in
to the banqueting hall..and wow what a sight!!!!
Imagine a room that has massive dimentions..80 foot long..30 foot
wide...30 foot
high and imagine that this once used to be solid sandstone and you just
have to
gasp at the work that went in to it.
Yet again, there is a lot of rubble and we think that were about 20 foot
above
the actual floorway. We thought this as the archway that comes out of the
side
of the wall seems to end about by our feet but there is rubble there and
not
lower down the tunnel so we know the rubble is hiding either a staircase
or
something else of interest..possibly another tunnel?
Walking to the top of the rubble at the other end of the hall gave a good
view
of the hall itself but also the craftsmanship in the roof, the way the
sandstone
meets the brickwork and what else we have yet to discover. We looked upon
the
roofway and noticed that there was an archway that didn't seem in place
to the
rest of the wall and indications from where we are in the tunnels is that
this
'wall' actually conceals a stair case which will lead..well...who knows!
After taking a load of photo's from the hall, I went back through the
narrow gap
and then back up the ladder to find my next port of call which was the
boiler
room.
Going down a short ladder this time, I found myself in the boiler room
which was
basically a smallish room that showed the steps perfectly cut in to the
side of
the room that led down in to another small room. The problem was that
originally
the room used to be quite large and access was very easy but because of
the
structure of the house above was modified in some way metal struts had to
be
placed in the tunnels which had to be cemented and bolted in and because
of this
there was literally about a foot and a 1/2 to get through this
gap...never wear
a leather jacket in the tunnels again!
Although this room was fairly uninteresting, it didn't matter as it was
still
part of the tunnels!
Climbing out of that room and then going in to the wine
bins..wow...climbing in
the wine bins took us all by suprise as this was JW's living quarters for
most
of his later life.
In the wine bin room there was three separate sections for wine and his
produce
all perfectly cut out with sandstone blocks, at the end of the room was a
rather
puzzling half bricked up tunnel but we now think that JW didn't actually
live in
the house that we thought it was his house, but we think he lived next
door. The
reason being is that this tunnel is directly under the house that we
think is
JW's house but the entrance we got only leads to a small narrow section
of
tunnel...FWT had to actually knock through this wall to get to the Wine
Bins.
The half bricked up tunnel we then traced and that actually led to next
door's
house so basically JW was using the land underground his neighbours house
for
his own use giving them little room for their own storage!
In the win bin room, there was the three wine bins, the half bricked up
tunnel
and then on the otherside was very interesting. We had the remains of a
fireplace hacked out but also there were three archways in the wall that
have
been bricked up...we don't know what's behind them at all but are eager
to see
what is behind them..the one thing we do know is that the floor we are
standing
on is the actual floor.
To one side we know that below us is the banqueting hall and we also know
that
other arches may well lead to places that we have not found or even
thought of
yet.
Back on the surface we were able to go to Paddinton for the biggest shock
yet..I
had only seen the pictures of the tunnels under the new Student flats so
I was
expecting loads of rubble and stuff...how different it was in real life.
Looking down at paddington was a newly installed metal staircase which we
walked
down and go to to about 6 foot under the car park on top. There was a
drop to
one side which we think that there used to be some sort of lift mechanism
and
then to the other side all the stairs had been cleaned and looked after
and it
really was looking different to that of the photo's. At the corner of the
stairs
was another boarded up archway..some 10 foot in height which they say has
not
been looked in to and they think actually holds much more tunnels in the
opposite direction!
Walking down the stairs to the second level, we came across an array of
old
bottles that were found there, old milk bottles and some old pop bottles
with
the glass ball inside the bottle, there were a few signs for advertising
and all
the rubble had been neatly stacked up in corners and everything was tidy.
Looking around at the roof, it was very clear that the stonework was
immaculate
and it's hard to believe that only JW saw it and yet so many people want
to see
this now. I was taking pictures like there was no tomorrow as usual but
nothing
kept me from the info I was given next.
We walked down to the third level and came to a very deep cutting which
was
boarded up along both sides and went down about 30 foot. Basically we
were
standing on ash as the house (when it was standing) used to be a bakery
and they
used to pour all the ash down the tunnels as some easy place to put
it...the
guys at FWT have dug down and cleared 30ft of ash from one section,
boarded it
up either side and its looking very good...however, we wanted to know how
deep
this room was and what was there as we suspect that once we get to the
bottom
then we uncover a mass of other tunnels and archways leading who knows
where so
FWT managed to get a 30 ft metal rod down the tunnels...they placed the
bottom
of it on the top of the ash (which was 30 ft down) and then put the rod
in to
the ash to see when it stopped....if one of the guys hadn't have kept
hold of
the metal rod..it would have disappeared!!!!
This basically indicates that we have found that the tunnel floor is a
minimum
of 70/80 ft down below us..indicating that we are standing on that much
ash and
that's gonna take some shifting. However we don't know how far we have to
go but
this will be cleared and we'll be sure to find other tunnels in different
directions leading up out of Liverpool or possibly in to town..who knows
:)
Les (the guy taking us round) was extra pleased that there was some young
people
at last with bags of energy to help clear the rubbish and as soon as I
discover
anything..who knows I may be the first person to walk in to another room
full or
something for the first time in almost 200 years!
wow, thanks for sharing :PDT_Piratz_26:
MissInformed
01-28-2007, 03:23 PM
Went driving around the Mason St/Tunnels area today with Bunf.
Some great buildings around there, but the area as a whole is in need of a severe cash injection.
We watched a Dvd last night about the tunnels, that's what sparked our little adventure today! (the one narrated by Roger Philips)
Must have been a fantastic little area in the day though :)
theninesisters
01-28-2007, 03:41 PM
Mason Street - the Gentry of Liverpool lived here in the 1800's!!
Source - Liverpool Record Office
theninesisters
01-28-2007, 03:44 PM
Smithdown Lane - the view is taken where the new flats are now on the corner of Smithdown Lane/Grinfield Street.
Source - Liverpool Record Office
MissInformed
01-28-2007, 04:24 PM
great pics jona.
have you seen the dvd?
is that ruined house on mason street joseph williamson's?
theninesisters
01-28-2007, 04:42 PM
great pics jona.
have you seen the dvd?
is that ruined house on mason street joseph williamson's?
I'm ON it :celb (23):
Look for the Heritage Centre bit, there is a snipit of the opening day where there's a good crowd waiting to go in. I can be spotted in the blue T-shirt and the very short haircut looking around at various people - did the security for the first day opening and quaffed lots of free Champers!!!
Sort of! Williamson moved all around Mason Street but this was once his house and is the only standing structure left above ground of his 'works' (apart from bits of his boundary wall on Smithdown Lane)
House picture below when it was a 3 story jobbie!
Source - Liverpool Record Office
MissInformed
01-28-2007, 04:59 PM
:) Trust you to be on it!! hehe
Took this pic today...is this the same house as in your pic?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Carrie132/MolesMasonsthouse.jpg
theninesisters
01-28-2007, 05:24 PM
You know me :Colorz_Grey_PDT_16:
Yeah that's Williamson's House. On closer inspection you can see the bricked up doorway - the archway was used for access for the digging out of the tunnels!
MissInformed
01-28-2007, 05:40 PM
You know me :Colorz_Grey_PDT_16:
Yeah that's Williamson's House. On closer inspection you can see the bricked up doorway - the archway was used for access for the digging out of the tunnels!
oohh all good stuff.
saw some williamson guys knocking around today with hi-viz's on...
theninesisters
01-28-2007, 05:50 PM
oohh all good stuff.
saw some williamson guys knocking around today with hi-viz's on...
I wouldn't trust those dodgy chaps - especially the one in the centre :gossip: :)
MissInformed
01-28-2007, 05:56 PM
hehe
he looks the most dodgy of the lot!
any idea what they were up to today?
theninesisters
01-28-2007, 05:57 PM
hehe
he looks the most dodgy of the lot!
any idea what they were up to today?
Could be anything from digging, to tours around the area to sloping off to the Oxford for a pint :PDT_Aliboronz_24:
Gnomie
01-28-2007, 06:26 PM
:) Trust you to be on it!! hehe
Took this pic today...is this the same house as in your pic?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Carrie132/MolesMasonsthouse.jpg
Wow i never knew his house survived. great pic:)
Gnomie
01-28-2007, 06:28 PM
Where about is that house?
A few pics here http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b389/andalucia_/Joseph-Williamson-Centre/?start=0
:)
MissInformed
01-28-2007, 06:35 PM
hey gnomie
it's on Mason Street in Edge Hill, near the Williamson Tunnels...be careful if you're going about there with a camera though, it's a bit of a weird area!
Great little remnants of buildings and walls though...
MarkA
01-28-2007, 06:42 PM
I wouldn't trust those dodgy chaps - especially the one in the centre :gossip: :)
Is that Dave Bridson on the left? He was in my class at De La Salle. We only bump into each other at beer festivals now.
PhilipG
01-28-2007, 08:03 PM
Mason Street - the Gentry of Liverpool lived here in the 1800's!!
These are wonderful pics.
Kev posted some last night on windmills.
I know ultimately they're from the LRO, but are they on a disk, or something?
theninesisters
01-28-2007, 09:22 PM
Is that Dave Bridson on the left? He was in my class at De La Salle. We only bump into each other at beer festivals now.
Dave Bridson runs the Williamson's Heritage Centre and is a fine beer drinker! The chap on the left however - his name is Jeff Jones, a fellow Childwall bod.
There was once a windmill in Smithdown Lane too.....
Jona - don't forget the source of the pic la :)
MarkA
01-28-2007, 09:41 PM
Dave Bridson runs the Williamson's Heritage Centre and is a fine beer drinker! The chap on the left however - his name is Jeff Jones, a fellow Childwall bod.
I thought he'd lost a bit of weight!:)
theninesisters
01-28-2007, 10:06 PM
Jona - don't forget the source of the pic la :)
Sorry Kev :)
Source - Liverpool Record Office.
Liverpool City Council recently approved Friends of Williamson's Tunnels' plans for works at the Paddington section of the tunnels. This will finally see excavation go ahead at this mysterious section of Williamson's labyrinth.
Our several sets of high quality conveyor belts have been installed, along with a full electricity supply. Next, we will re-arrange things above ground to make removal of the many tons of rubble easier.
That will involve building a new gate adjacent to the entrance hatch, as well as a new wall to separate our work area from the car park of the Student Village. Once that process is complete, we will begin excavating: firstly the tunnel which heads south from the entrance - a very tall tunnel of which we only caught a fleeting glimpse when we first re-discovered the Paddington section several years ago - and then the main tiers of this section, many parts of which are packed with rubble. It will be fascinating to finally discover what is underneath.
See a sketch of the multi-level layout of Paddington here (http://www.williamsontunnels.com/virtour/padd/padd3d.htm).
http://www.williamsontunnels.com/images/paddconvey.jpg
Two of the conveyor belts ready to be installed
http://www.williamsontunnels.com/images/padd47.jpg
Rubble in the Paddington tunnels
Cadfael
07-18-2007, 07:32 PM
Did you not read the copyright bit on FOWT's Website? :PDT10
Nope, couldn't find it, maybe its hidden beneath a secret tunnel within their website :PDT11
Cadfael
07-18-2007, 08:46 PM
Nope, couldn't find it, maybe its hidden beneath a secret tunnel within their website :PDT11
Its where I found the same copyright page and borrowed the same text :PDT10
Picture of the first level - this is showing the tunnel that Charles Hand walked for over a mile through in 1926!
3815
fortinian
06-02-2008, 10:54 AM
Just picked these up from Facebook. Apparently they are of the preparatory work in the Triple Layer tunnel.
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v252/121/55/796200530/n796200530_3030120_415.jpg
http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v252/121/55/796200530/n796200530_3030037_3091.jpg
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v252/121/55/796200530/n796200530_3030041_5479.jpg
They are (c)JWS but i've spoken to one of the group moderators and they don't mind me posting a few on here.
PhilipG
06-02-2008, 11:22 AM
Just picked these up from Facebook. Apparently they are of the preparatory work in the Triple Layer tunnel.
They are (c)JWS but i've spoken to one of the group moderators and they don't mind me posting a few on here.
I'm never popular with pointing out things like this, but if one of the moderators on this site gave an outside party permission to use my photos, I wouldn't be pleased.
Rant over. :hug:
fortinian
06-02-2008, 11:33 AM
Good point PhilG I hadn't considered that. I was under the impression that the photos belonged to the group moderators.
If anyone gets in contact with me about these photos i'll take them down but until then i've done all I can to make sure they are credited and used with permission.
PhilipG
06-02-2008, 11:47 AM
I was under the impression that the photos belonged to the group moderators. If anyone gets in contact with me about these photos i'll take them down but until then i've done all I can to make sure they are credited and used with permission.
Not sure what you're saying.
Are you saying that (for example) my photos on this site belong to this group's moderators?
Why moderators?
Kev owns this site and not even he can give permission for photos posted here to be posted somewhere else.
Of course, the original photographer can only get in touch with you if he finds out.
Edit.
I'm not getting at you, but yet again my post has been read while I'm typing it.
Don't know how that happens! LOL.
fortinian
06-02-2008, 07:38 PM
As with the previous message, I have full permission to post these pictures.
These are of the previously long lost Triple Deck tunnel (I believed Cad knows more about this than me). The tunnel is not open to the public yet but progress is being made as you can see.
http://photos-530.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v252/121/55/796200530/n796200530_3029956_4841.jpg
http://photos-530.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v252/121/55/796200530/n796200530_3029953_3064.jpg
John(Zappa)
06-02-2008, 09:02 PM
Well done Fortinian:PDT_Piratz_26:
Keep those pics comin'.:handclap:
Cadfael
06-02-2008, 09:03 PM
The Triple Decker Tunnel runs from the back of Williamson's House and is bysected by the railway cutting but continues underneath the stable yard and along to a T-junction to underneath the Heritage Centre.
A few years ago, we were able to dig down to gain access to the triple decker tunnel. Rumoured to be completely lost years ago, we found access and crawled along the top layer of this - probabably 200ft until it came to a T - junction, turned right and headed towards Smithdown Lane.
There is some more info on this tunnel at my website:
http://www.smithdownlane.com/#/thetunnels/4527719289
I was aware that the Heritage Centre was digging back from the Corner Tunnel but did not realise that they had broken back in to the Triple Decker Tunnel - I don't recognise these pictures from the 1st visit so they have done very well to get back in to it!
quincyg
06-02-2008, 09:44 PM
there was a piece on the Williamson Tunnels on The One Show tonight. :PDT_Piratz_26:
John(Zappa)
06-02-2008, 10:08 PM
there was a piece on the Williamson Tunnels on The One Show tonight. :PDT_Piratz_26:
Yeah I seen that.It was good :PDT_Piratz_26:(even though fat commie Alexi Sayle was on it:PDT_Xtremez_42:)
macateb
06-02-2008, 11:43 PM
there was a piece on the Williamson Tunnels on The One Show tonight. :PDT_Piratz_26:
Click HERE (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00bzts1.shtml?q=the+one+show&start=1&scope=iplayersearch&go=Find+Programmes&version_pid=b00bzrtl) to watch it on BBC iplayer.
PhilipG
06-02-2008, 11:48 PM
http://photos-530.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v252/121/55/796200530/n796200530_3029953_3064.jpg
I don't know much about the Williamson Tunnels, but as a photo this is quite beautiful. :PDT_Aliboronz_11:
Waterways
06-03-2008, 01:55 PM
there was a piece on the Williamson Tunnels on The One Show tonight. :PDT_Piratz_26:
I was not impressed. The extent of the tunnels is vast. They didn't even state the size of them and the estimate of how much was actually dug out.
They even had carpenters shops down there - not mentioned.
Cadfael
06-03-2008, 02:26 PM
I was not impressed. The extent of the tunnels is vast. They didn't even state the size of them and the estimate of how much was actually dug out.
They even had carpenters shops down there - not mentioned.
There has never been a carpenters shop at any part of the Tunnel network. Where did you hear this?
quincyg
06-03-2008, 03:53 PM
at least it was some publicity. people will often go online and look up info after seeing a piece on a programme.
Waterways
06-03-2008, 06:05 PM
There has never been a carpenters shop at any part of the Tunnel network. Where did you hear this?
I think it is on the web site. While under construction they had a carpenters shop for the timbers
Cadfael
06-03-2008, 06:38 PM
I think it is on the web site. While under construction they had a carpenters shop for the timbers
Have to say I've never heard of that one. The only carpenters relation is a carpenters shop that used to stand above a section of the tunnels but this is going back to 1986 when James Stonehouse toured the area.
Gnomie
06-03-2008, 06:48 PM
Cool pics
I visited there a few years back, i was the only one on the tour, so i got the V I P treatment :PDT_Piratz_26:
I loved the way they have done the buildings in the yard, and of course the Horses.
skgogosfan
10-18-2008, 04:17 AM
As with the previous message, I have full permission to post these pictures.
These are of the previously long lost Triple Deck tunnel (I believed Cad knows more about this than me). The tunnel is not open to the public yet but progress is being made as you can see.
http://photos-530.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v252/121/55/796200530/n796200530_3029956_4841.jpg
http://photos-530.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v252/121/55/796200530/n796200530_3029953_3064.jpg
Excellent shots! You never know what you'll turf up next down there!
Dave.
fortinian
11-22-2008, 05:12 PM
For those of you interested... I've just found out that the regular tunnels Members visits - to the areas not open to the public - are on every weekend in November and this year for the first time the Triple Decker tunnel will be in view!
http://www.williamsontunnels.com/visiting/nov_visits_08.htm
Members only i'm afraid!
danensis
11-23-2008, 03:39 PM
I was most disappointed to find that they were not really tunnels at all, but just vaulting over existing excavations. At least the tunnels built by George Senior in Doncaster were excavated tunnels. I believe there was something similar in Stockport?
Cadfael
11-23-2008, 07:10 PM
I was most disappointed to find that they were not really tunnels at all, but just vaulting over existing excavations. At least the tunnels built by George Senior in Doncaster were excavated tunnels. I believe there was something similar in Stockport?
You are correct in saying that some of the locations are exisiting quarry produce and that Williamson altered them with a cut and cover method, but this would apply to about 10% of what we have found so far.
Certainly, the main hall under the House and the Paddington area have been picked out of the solid rock. There are many instances where tunnels have been created from brickwork only - Paddington once again is an excellent example. I can only really think of the Heritage Centre that shows the quarry example, certainly not anything else that has been found so far.
PEOPLE have only a few days left to visit Liverpool?s Williamson Tunnels while they are decorated for Christmas. Read (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/12/15/festive-time-for-tunnels-100252-22479105/)
fortinian
12-15-2008, 09:46 PM
Did anyone see the Big Picture in the Echo a few weeks back? A rather pretty shot of the new tunnels me thought.
fortinian
04-29-2009, 05:28 PM
I was unsure where to post this, so I will do a parallel post in the Old Railway Tunnels thread.
Following from what has been said on this site, I was speaking to a researcher at the Williamson Tunnels and she mentioned that they had copies of documents relating to Williamson and the Railways. I know there are lots of people on here facinated by Joseph Williamson and even more who are facinated by Liverpools railways so I asked to see copies. She sent me these two, I asked permission to use them here so here they are.
This is apparently from George (or Robert?) Stephensons master plan for the Edge Hill Cutting. What this does show is that the map has been amended with pencil marks saying 'Mr Williamson' where there is supposedley a tunnel.
She also told me that they had found letters written by William MacKenzie (he of pyramid fame) to Joseph Williamson asking for permission to dig though his land as well as pay records showing that people were payed by the LMR company to 'excavate Williamsons tunnel'!
Thanks to the Senior Researcher (Sian) at the Williamson Tunnels for this; when I mentioned that there would be some train buffs interested in this she allowed me to post her e-mail which is jwresearch@hotmail.co.uk she said she'd be more than happy for any correspondence.
Cadfael
04-29-2009, 10:36 PM
It's true and been known about for years. It is well documented in the 1846 manuscript of James Stonehouse and also spoken about in Charles Hand's visit in 1926.
Basically, part of Williamson's tunnels were a triple decker section which ran from (now) Elm Grove to Grinfield Street. I've personally been in this section at the top level a few years ago.
Stephenson came along and wanted the railway to go through Williamson's land (he owned everything from the Magnet's warehouse on Mason Street, along Mason Street, down Grinfield Street, down Smithdown Lane and up the walk way next to Magnet's again) so he went through the tunnels and Williamson then built a tunnel under the present day cutting - which has long been forgotten about. The only detail to be found now is the tunnel used for Ramsbottom's Chimney, (demolished in the 60's) where you can still see the archway from any train should you know where to look.
fortinian
04-30-2009, 08:39 AM
Yes Cad, but surely Hand and Stonehouse are secondary sources... this appears to be a primary source and actually backs up what H & S say.
I'm familiar with Hand and Stonehouse's writings on the tunnels, I seem to recall that Hand wasn't very imressed with Stonehouses work and set out to correct him on many issues. But Hand himself lacked immediate knowledge... so they were both a bit stuck.
Love that area, great info. Wasn't Ramsbottom's chimney still up in 1970 though Cad, there's a pic of it on someones flickr with a later Archbishop Blanch aerial view with it gone? Had a look through the Pearsons book in Waterstones last sat, saw your name there as one of the subscribers.
Waterways
04-30-2009, 12:26 PM
I was unsure where to post this, so I will do a parallel post in the Old Railway Tunnels thread.
Following from what has been said on this site, I was speaking to a researcher at the Williamson Tunnels and she mentioned that they had copies of documents relating to Williamson and the Railways. I know there are lots of people on here facinated by Joseph Williamson and even more who are facinated by Liverpools railways so I asked to see copies. She sent me these two, I asked permission to use them here so here they are.
This is apparently from George (or Robert?) Stephensons master plan for the Edge Hill Cutting. What this does show is that the map has been amended with pencil marks saying 'Mr Williamson' where there is supposedley a tunnel.
She also told me that they had found letters written by William MacKenzie (he of pyramid fame) to Joseph Williamson asking for permission to dig though his land as well as pay records showing that people were payed by the LMR company to 'excavate Williamsons tunnel'!
Thanks to the Senior Researcher (Sian) at the Williamson Tunnels for this; when I mentioned that there would be some train buffs interested in this she allowed me to post her e-mail which is jwresearch@hotmail.co.uk she said she'd be more than happy for any correspondence.
Some nice original drawings of the Edge Hill cuttings, to put here would be nice:
http://www.liverpoolwiki.org/Liverpool%27s_Historic_Rail_Tunnels
Waterways
04-30-2009, 12:33 PM
Love that area, great info. Wasn't Ramsbottom's chimney still up in 1970 though Cad, there's a pic of it on someones flickr with a later Archbishop Blanch aerial view with it gone? Had a look through the Pearsons book in Waterstones last sat, saw your name there as one of the subscribers.
Look at this thread:
Ramsbottom's Chimney (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?p=151495&highlight=Ramsbottom%27s+chimney#post151495)
Cheers. Forgotten about that thread. :PDT11
Cadfael
05-01-2009, 06:49 PM
Yes Cad, but surely Hand and Stonehouse are secondary sources... this appears to be a primary source and actually backs up what H & S say.
I'm familiar with Hand and Stonehouse's writings on the tunnels, I seem to recall that Hand wasn't very imressed with Stonehouses work and set out to correct him on many issues. But Hand himself lacked immediate knowledge... so they were both a bit stuck.
Yes and no really. Stonehouse doesn't appear much in Williamson's records but was a well noted friend - he wasn't simply a historian who came in after 1840 when he died. So I would say that Stonehouse's version is the most 'correct' version, simply because in Williamson's full will, it is stated that he only gave Stonehouse 'full and unlimited' access to his network of tunnels and that is why he seems to be the only source at the time of Williamson.
Hand has made lots of factual mistakes in his text, both from what we have found today and from other records we have come across of Williamson but are always grateful to Hand simply because he gave the two 1926 shots of Paddington, and of the 'lower rubble' in the Banqeting Hall. He also spoke of walking for 'over a mile' in Paddington and if it wasn't for that information, we wouldn't have come across Paddington today.
Cadfael
05-01-2009, 06:52 PM
Love that area, great info. Wasn't Ramsbottom's chimney still up in 1970 though Cad, there's a pic of it on someones flickr with a later Archbishop Blanch aerial view with it gone? Had a look through the Pearsons book in Waterstones last sat, saw your name there as one of the subscribers.
1960's - it was rumoured that it was chopped down because it would block the view of the RC Cathedral!
Waterways
05-01-2009, 10:12 PM
1960's - it was rumoured that it was chopped down because it would block the view of the RC Cathedral!
It was no architectural masterpiece, that was for sure.
marky
11-30-2009, 02:53 PM
The site of Williamsons grave is currently being cleaned up (Park Lane/Paradise Street).
I came across this artical in the library LRO a while ago. I have only just come across it so I am posting here for interest.
ItsaZappathing
12-18-2009, 10:03 AM
One of my must do's. I gotta see them tunnels myself yet.:PDT11
Cadfael
12-18-2009, 11:01 AM
I came across this artical in the library LRO a while ago. I have only just come across it so I am posting here for interest.
A nice find there. It's reworded from the original script of James Stonehouse 1846 so the document has come out at least after 1846 to retell the story of Williamson and the Tunnels.
Here's a picture of the tunnel that we rebuilt the arch of. It was, according to Charles Hand in 1926, the exact tunnel they walked into to walk for 'over a mile without finding a boundary'. The present day lets you crawl of about 20ft before being packed up with rubble, but this branch also leads to the tunnel which runs across to the Bears Paw too.
12046
fortinian
12-18-2009, 12:34 PM
A nice find there. It's reworded from the original script of James Stonehouse 1846 so the document has come out at least after 1846 to retell the story of Williamson and the Tunnels.
Here's a picture of the tunnel that we rebuilt the arch of. It was, according to Charles Hand in 1926, the exact tunnel they walked into to walk for 'over a mile without finding a boundary'. The present day lets you crawl of about 20ft before being packed up with rubble, but this branch also leads to the tunnel which runs across to the Bears Paw too.
12046
Cad, how can you be so sure without a date that it is a rewording of Stonehouse?
Is it not more likely, as the document is written in first person, presumably by Dr. Watson, that this is the original that Stonehouse based his 1846 MS on?
You'll also notice that the piece isn't just a retelling of Williamson and the Tunnels about sanitary reform in the area.
Samp, is was their a date on the piece, do you have the LRO Reference Number for it?
And secondly Cad, where exactly does Hand say he walked for 'over a mile without finding a boundry'. It is certainly not in is Historical Society published articles, nor in his original MS for his 'History of Edge Hill'.
Also, you've only got 20ft... how can you be sure it goes a mile or indeed to the Bears Paw pub? A bricked up arch in a pub cellar does not necessarily mean a tunnel.
Cadfael
12-18-2009, 01:19 PM
Cad, how can you be so sure without a date that it is a rewording of Stonehouse?
Is it not more likely, as the document is written in first person, presumably by Dr. Watson, that this is the original that Stonehouse based his 1846 MS on?
You'll also notice that the piece isn't just a retelling of Williamson and the Tunnels about sanitary reform in the area.
Samp, is was their a date on the piece, do you have the LRO Reference Number for it?
And secondly Cad, where exactly does Hand say he walked for 'over a mile without finding a boundry'. It is certainly not in is Historical Society published articles, nor in his original MS for his 'History of Edge Hill'.
Also, you've only got 20ft... how can you be sure it goes a mile or indeed to the Bears Paw pub? A bricked up arch in a pub cellar does not necessarily mean a tunnel.
It's an interesting point, however you have to understand that Dr Watson toured the tunnels in 1830 when Williamson was alive mainly from the Health aspect. Stonehouse released two manuscripts, one which has been reprinted as the 'Streets of Liverpool' of which he toured the tunnels only 6 years after Williamson had died, and then another book came out in 1863 (published under the name of J Hughes) giving a far more elaborate description of the Tunnels which we have worked out to be genuine and true (as far as we can make out) from the buildings that were there at the time.
Hand says that he walked for 'over a mile' along with the Historical Society of Lancashire and Cheshire (led by Mr C Hand and Mr Robert Gladstone) which was published in the Daily Post 15th November 1926, of which I have a copy of the clipping.
We've got 20 foot now, but when we found Paddington Tunnels, we were able to scrape back the surface rubble (before the car park went in) and found an archway pointing to the Bears Paw Pub. In the cellar of the Bears Paw Pub is the exact same archway pointing towards the Paddington Arch - of which we have worked out by measuring the road, fits in perfectly as a tunnel from the pub to Paddington Tunnels.
126 Paddington was the home of a Bakers (George Lunt) and Hand spoke of the exact layout of the 1st two levels of Paddington. He spoke of the crossroad at the end of the first level of steps (which is the above picture) and said by walking via this tunnel, and down some stone steps, they went with candlelight for over a mile without finding a boundary - it does not state in which direction.
Cad, how can you be so sure without a date that it is a rewording of Stonehouse?
Is it not more likely, as the document is written in first person, presumably by Dr. Watson, that this is the original that Stonehouse based his 1846 MS on?
You'll also notice that the piece isn't just a retelling of Williamson and the Tunnels about sanitary reform in the area.
Samp, is was their a date on the piece, do you have the LRO Reference Number for it?
And secondly Cad, where exactly does Hand say he walked for 'over a mile without finding a boundry'. It is certainly not in is Historical Society published articles, nor in his original MS for his 'History of Edge Hill'.
Also, you've only got 20ft... how can you be sure it goes a mile or indeed to the Bears Paw pub? A bricked up arch in a pub cellar does not necessarily mean a tunnel.
Hello Fortinian.
I do not have a reference no for the artical from the LRO.
If my memory serves me right, the artical was among a folder of pictures and clippings relating to Joseph Williamson, most of which are familiar and can be found on the 'Friends' website.
I located The folder via the 'Prints and Drawings book' under the name of Joseph Williamson, from a list of Liverpool merchants!
Hope this helps
Cheers Samp.
fortinian
12-18-2009, 11:18 PM
Thanks Samp, much obliged.
Your article in particular is not on the friends website and there is indeed a lot of stuff that has appeared in their booklets that is not on their website.
It is a major annoyance of mine that the Friends of Williamson Tunnels website and 'The Mole' do not publish sources.
I understand that they are not an academic publication but it is infuriating when publications on local history give their sources as 'old maps', 'old papers' and the worst of the worst 'historical documents tell us that...'.
fortinian
10-30-2010, 09:34 AM
Looks like the memorial garden at St Thomas' is finished.
http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk/view.php?page=news
Some pics here:
http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk/News/grave_plaque_all.jpg
http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk/Photos/plaque01.jpg
http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk/Photos/plaque02.jpg
John Doh
10-30-2010, 10:02 PM
The RHS of this image seems to have been lost. A pity!
fortinian
11-01-2010, 04:26 PM
About the right hand side... I have a slide bar at the bottom of the post that I can move to move the image accross.
Do you not have this? Maybe you will have to change your browser settings.
John Doh
11-01-2010, 04:43 PM
Oh, thank you - didn't see it, silly me!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.1 Copyright © 2013 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.