Richard Trevithick and the Rotherhithe Tunnel 1807

The Cornish mining engineer, Richard Trevithick, was asked to undertake the incredible engineering feat of digging a tunnel under the River Thames from the Parish of St Mary Rotherhithe to the other side.

The growth in docks, wharves, ship builders and a multitude of other manufacturers made it imperative to build some means of crossing the Thames east of London Bridge. The work began in 1807.

 

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