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View Full Version : Shorts Tunnels & Factory, Rochester 2007/8



S8
27-03-2010, 08:38 PM
visited way back in 2007/8 when I was a n00b

History


The tunnels were originally excavated/extended by the Short brothers in September of 1941 for their seaplane factory as there existing one was nearing full capacity - the site was chosen for its natural defence against air attacks. The new factory space was to provide an extra 12000 sq.ft. of workspace for the company - this was created by two one-hundred metre long tunnels, connected by four seventy-five metre tunnels that met with the cliff face. At the eastern end of the tunnel complex the company built an extensive network of air raid tunnels which consisted of two parallel tunnels both three-hundred metres in length and connected by fourteen crosscuts. There was a hospital and three vaults constructed within the network; this network was connected to the Shorts factory by a singular four-hundred metre tunnel.

After the war the factory section was used by blawknox for storage and workshops (they had left casting moulds all over the place, as well as the usual paperwork!!). This site existed until the early nineties where it was subsequently blocked and houses built on the site.


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00001-3.jpg

Before the fire
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00004-4.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00005-3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00007-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00008-2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00009-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00013-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00015.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/mixologist/Image00019.jpg

Can you tell the photos were taken with a piece of shit point and shot and a table top tripod lol

S8 :)

S8
27-03-2010, 09:59 PM
:lol:

I think I did the explore with a AA maglite as well....Cheers Mex :thumb

You should see them, they are good tunnels IMO

Rochester
27-03-2010, 10:40 PM
Thats a young looking s8...:D

coops
27-03-2010, 11:04 PM
Great stuff mate

S8
28-03-2010, 09:36 PM
Thats a young looking s8...:D

haha, so young....