Don't Tell 'em Your Name Pike!

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blacksnake

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Not one for hi-jacking someone elses thread I've decided to post this separately to Mr Tbolts "Shelter in the Park".

Now this particular Air Raid shelter was built to protect the folk working for the war effort in a building of iconic status in Liverpool. To call it the L*****w**ds air raid shelter would be irresponsible of me! So, Shhhh.. "Don't tell em your name Pike!"

If y'all want a "History Bit" then Google it yourselves or check this link: Littlewoods Air Raid Shelter

So elusive is this shelter that it verges on urban legend, never mind urban exploring. Just so happens that I am a member of 'the' volunteer historical organization 'The Friends of Williamson Tunnels' (FoWT) Who, in conjunction with Sub-Britannica and permission of Liverpool City Council (LCC) were the ones who opened the shelter in 2012, after it being sealed for over 40 years. Now bear in mind, I work each Sunday with said volunteers who were party and present when the shelter was opened in 2012. Tales of forced entry and Oxy meters going bonkers when they were down there, plus being assured that they re-sealed and landscaped away any trace of the access led me to conclude...Bollox! and Bah-Humbug!

So, imagine my surprise when t'other week I gets a call off my favourite Greater Manchestertarian Mr Tbolt telling me the shelter was open! "Feck off Nob head, it's 'PROPER' sealed is that!" His persistence led me to make haste to check for me self... And guess what? He was only right! (C**T)


Explored with Tbolt, Mr. Pig, Frosty & Co.


Found after 'Mucho' Googling... 1940 aerial photo of the shelters 14 entrances fed by a series of 'open' concrete lined slit trenches.​


The shelter is Approx 300m (985ft) in length and 18m (58ft) wide and comprises 15 concrete rectangular seating areas. Directions were probably a good idea.

44527667602_6d1e8e81dd_b.jpgDSC_0022 by chris palmer, on Flickr

Not easy finding pics y'all haven't seen already...

42767689910_6152819820_b.jpgDSC_0015 by chris palmer, on Flickr

30707198348_933e55a0dc_b.jpgDSC_0012 by chris palmer, on Flickr

44125165654_b69b9fa505_b.jpg_DSC2428 by chris palmer, on Flickr

43935314885_9715561d4e_b.jpg_DSC2433 by chris palmer, on Flickr

44125142054_7505a23355_b.jpg_DSC2438 by chris palmer, on Flickr

44125129234_18832d58fc_b.jpg_DSC2439 by chris palmer, on Flickr

29909504397_0a14e6dde3_b.jpg_DSC2445 by chris palmer, on Flickr

44614885972_0762a5839f_b.jpg20180911_175031 by chris palmer, on Flickr

Chemical toilets, collected as if for removal but left behind.
44664924951_0db6047d02_b.jpg20180911_181622 by chris palmer, on Flickr

Due to either a hasty build or dodgy sub-soil, one half of the shelter is sinking under it's own weight causing the concrete floor to fail. This gets progressively worse the further you go.

30794025198_248793a371_b.jpg20180911_181642 by chris palmer, on Flickr

42853943730_710def69cc_b.jpg20180911_182000 by chris palmer, on Flickr

Finally, after much sweating and breathing of stale air... The ALL CLEAR!

44527671872_f110775085_b.jpgDSC_0021 by chris palmer, on Flickr


Ironically, despite Hitler's Luftwaffe attacks during the Blitz plus 80 years lying undisturbed. The shelter was "BLOWN UP" by a sell out urbexer paid to bullshit the Daily Snail that "HE" discovered the shelter (3 weeks after our visit) Result = LCC proper sealing it for God knows how long! Cheers CJUrbex!!!

Ta for looking​
 
The 1940 photograph and the modern image showing the internal flooding is all the evidence needed to explain the damage to the floors. Due to developments in the area, the ground water strata has been drastically altered and the weight of the overall structure is causing the very small footprint of the 'foundations' to sink into the soft ground. This actually is a fairly common problem with these structures - they were built for one, very short term purpose and not expected to be standing pristine, eighty years down the line. Which is why many were demolished in the late 50's / early 60's, as they offered no protection from nuclear fallout and blast.
 
The 1940 photograph and the modern image showing the internal flooding is all the evidence needed to explain the damage to the floors. Due to developments in the area, the ground water strata has been drastically altered and the weight of the overall structure is causing the very small footprint of the 'foundations' to sink into the soft ground. This actually is a fairly common problem with these structures - they were built for one, very short term purpose and not expected to be standing pristine, eighty years down the line. Which is why many were demolished in the late 50's / early 60's, as they offered no protection from nuclear fallout and blast.

Yeah, what he said. :untroubled: It only effects a third of the structure and I initially thought it was tree roots breaking through as the cracking starts small, but quickly becomes so acute that it becomes very difficult to negotiate. Then I came across a wall with a crack from floor to ceiling, and that's when I realized it was subsidence. When speaking to the guys who went down there in 2012, it was like that back then also so maybe it's settled?

Thanks for your input Dirus
 

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