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Latitude: 51.503 / 51°30'10"N
Longitude: -0.0544 / 0°3'15"W
OS Eastings: 535135
OS Northings: 180028
OS Grid: TQ351800
Mapcode National: GBR JB.2YP
Mapcode Global: VHGR1.0HL3
Plus Code: 9C3XGW3W+66
Entry Name: Thames Tunnel
Listing Date: 24 March 1995
Grade: II*
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1242119
English Heritage Legacy ID: 441472
Also known as: Thames Tunnel (that Part Which Lies In London Borough Of Southwark)
ID on this website: 101242119
Location: Shadwell, Tower Hamlets, London, E1W
County: London
District: Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward/Division: Rotherhithe
Parish: Non Civil Parish
Built-Up Area: Southwark
Traditional County: Middlesex
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Greater London
Church of England Parish: St Peter London Docks
Church of England Diocese: London
Tagged with: Railway tunnel
The entry was subject to a minor amendment on 25 July 2017.
TQ 3580
636-/5/10086 Thames Tunnel
II*
Underwater tunnel for human traffic. Begun 1825, completed 1843 by engineer Marc Isambard
Brunel with assistance from Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Brick bedded in Roman cement and faced
with clay tiles and stucco. Approx. 366m (1,200ft) long. Two parallel vaults of horseshoe section, 4.27m (14ft) wide by 4.88m (16ft)
high and joined at intervals by cross arches are encased in a rectangular brick framework 11.58m (38ft) wide
and 6.7m (22ft) high externally. At the end are access shafts 15.24m (50ft) across. Segmental arches separating the
two vaults 'rest' on Greek Doric half-columns with square abaci. Many arches have been filled in.
Stucco finish in 'ashlar' on top of red clay tile lining of tunnel.
HISTORY. Experimental attempts to construct a tunnel were made in 1805 by Robert Vazie and
again in 1808 by Richard Trevithick. The present tunnel was constructed on a new line to a revised
scheme by Marc Brunel (1769-1849) using a tunnelling shield designed by him and patented in
1818. The tunnel was opened on 26 May 1843. It remained a foot tunnel until 1865-9 when it was
converted for the East London Railway. Later used by electric underground trains (East London
Line).
Listing NGR: TQ3513580028
The asset was previously listed twice also under London Borough of Southwark at List entry 1378391. This entry was removed from the List on 25 July 2017.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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