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| London - Thames Tunnel. 1834 |
This image is taken from an antique print of the Thames Tunnel - the first such tunnel to be built underneath a river. Previous attempts had been made to tunnel under the Thames in 1799 and 1805, but both ventures failed. Marc Brunel spearheaded another attempt in 1825 which, after numerous delays due to fire and flooding, was completed in 1843.
To help finance the project visitors were charged a shilling a time to walk under the river and witness the construction. Around 600 to 800 visitors made the descent every day.
The original plan was for horse drawn carriages to go underneath the Thames, but the long delay in completing the tunnelling meant there were no funds left to make the extensive ramps for each entrance. It remained a pedestrian route and a tourist attraction until 1869 when it was converted to a train line.
The image is set within an engraved border with a City of London boat on top, columns on either side supported by classical figures, and tunnelling tools beneath.
Engraved by Henry Winkles (1800-1860). Drawn by William Tombleson (fl.1824-1846). Originally published in "Tombleson's Views of the Thames and Medway" by Tombleson & Co., London 1834.
Find out more about this important area in our self guided River Walk from Rotherhithe through to Tower Bridge on www.obelisktours.com
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