Winchester Cathedral was built on marsh and was on the verge of collapse as it sunk into the earth. A diver named William Walker worked alone in pitch-black water for five years, eventually putting down 25,000 bags of concrete, 115,000 concrete blocks, and 900,000 bricks to save its foundation.

Saving the Cathedral

A century ago, Winchester Cathedral was saved by the heroic work of William Walker, a diver who worked tirelessly to shore up the historic foundations and preserve one of England’s greatest buildings.

The story goes back to 1905 when experts discovered that parts of Winchester Cathedral were under serious threat of collapse.

Collapsing

The Cathedral’s archeologist Dr John Crook explained why the the building was in such peril:

“There were large cracks in the masonry. One of the pillars in the crypt in the eastern end of the Cathedral was forcing itself through the earth beneath so the vaulting was collapsing there.

“The west front of the Cathedral was in a terrible state with bits of masonry falling off. Its conceivable … Continue Reading (3 minute read)