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Place    From 1825 

Brunel's Thames Tunnel

Categories: Engineering, Transport

Brunel's Thames Tunnel

The first tunnel in the world under a navigable river. Built between 1825 and 1843 using the tunnelling shield technology invented by Marc Brunel. It was originally intended to be used for horse-drawn traffic, but this never materialised. It was briefly profitable since it attracted tourist pedestrians so shops and entertainment were provided in the tunnel, including a printing press, just as at the Frost Fairs

It is now the link between Rotherhithe and Wapping stations on the London Overgound rail network. Not to be confused with the Rotherhithe Tunnel - used for road traffic.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Brunel's Thames Tunnel

Commemorated ati

Brunel's Engine House

Brunel's engine house The tunnel shaft and pumping house for Marc Brunel's tu...

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Isambard Kingdom Brunel - Thames Tunnel flooding

Near this spot in 1828 Isambard Kingdom Brunel was pulled half-drowned from t...

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Thames Tunnel Boiler House

Boiler House, this building was originally used as a boiler house during the ...

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Thames Tunnel - Rotherhithe

International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Thames Tunnel constructed 1...

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Thames Tunnel - Wapping

The tunnel which runs under the Thames from this station was the first tunnel...

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Other Subjects

Edward H. Tabor

Edward H. Tabor

Resident engineer on the construction of the Rotherhithe Tunnel in 1908.

Person, Engineering

2 memorials
Norwood pumping station

Norwood pumping station

This building provided the propulsion for the Croydon atmospheric railway. We don't know when the building was demolished. This 1868 map shows a building approximately '50m north of the bridge' whi...

Place, Engineering

1 memorial
Sir Harry Ricardo

Sir Harry Ricardo

Born 13 Bedford Square, son of Halsey Ricardo. Mechanical engineer specialising in developing the internal combustion petrol and diesel engine. Died King Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, following a ...

Person, Engineering

1 memorial
Sir Charles Parsons

Sir Charles Parsons

Scientist and engineer. Designed marine turbines. Born 13 Connaught Place, Hyde Park into an aristocratic family. Died on board the liner The Duchess of Richmond, after taking ill in Jamaica.

Person, Engineering, Science

1 memorial
William Jessop

William Jessop

Civil engineer.  Born Devon.  Worked for Smeaton, first as an apprentice and then as assistant until 1772.  Promoted cast iron as a constructional material.  Built the Grand Canal in Ireland.  Buil...

Person, Engineering, Ireland

1 memorial