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In 1942, the Shorts Brothers seaplane factory, which was based on the banks of the River Medway in Rochester, was expanded significantly with the digging of tunnels into the chalk cliffs behind the original buildings. During WW2, the tunnels also acted as an air-raid shelter for local residents, before being sold to the Blaw Knox Paving Company at some point after the war. In 1978, or soon after, Blaw Knox moved out of the tunnels, leaving them abandoned ever since.
The above-ground factory has since been demolished and the land redeveloped into a residential estate, but the tunnels remain, their entrances blocked or hidden by undergrowth.
'Blitz' and myself headed down into darkness, equipped with cameras, head-torches and a 10,000,000 candle-power floodlight. 3 hours later, as the floodlight battery began to run out, we emerged triumphant!
NOTE: all enlarged images open in a pop-up window, so blocking software should be switched off.
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Image reference: CRW_2377
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One of the few un-lined sections of tunnel. Despite the crude construction, mains electricity and lighting was still installed. These old light fittings along the length of the tunnel wall were once wired into the electricity supply with the large rusty cables we found nearby. |
Image reference: CRW_2385
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A close-up of one of the light fittings, covered in rust after spending years abandoned in the cold, damp environment. |
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Image reference: CRW_2391
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An old fuse-box in one of the main factory halls. This area, like the majority of the tunnel system, is brick-lined. |
Image reference: CRW_2393
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Another hall, leading to entrance of the air-raid shelter tunnels. Old pallets and equipment have been left behind by the last owner, Blaw Knox. |
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Image reference: CRW_2396
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Looking down one of the air-raid shelter tunnels. Seats that used to run the length of the walls have now rotted away. In the foreground lies one of the old metal barriers installed before the tunnels were vacated, to prevent people entering. Similar barriers can be found elsewhere in the complex, but all have been broken down over the years. |
Image reference: CRW_2419
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'No smoking' signs can be found painted on all of the walls. The condition of the paintwork suggests that they were maintained right up until Blaw Knox left in 1978. |
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Image reference: CRW_2422
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A junction between two tunnels. The letters and arrows on the walls are location mark-points to prevent underground surveyors from getting lost. |
Image reference: CRW_2426
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Another view of the junction. These areas were strengthened with concrete roofs instead of the usual corrugated iron linings. |
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Image reference: CRW_2431
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A dead-end storage vault, still containing equipment from when the factory was fully operational. |
Image reference: CRW_2432
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Metal gates are commonplace in the storage area of the tunnels, simply to keep the equipment which was once housed here safe and secure. |
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Image reference: CRW_2438
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'Blitz' silhouetted against one of the storage vault walls, and an old swivel-chair which, surprisingly, is still quite comfortable! |
Image reference: CRW_2440
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And finally, a bit of light-painting to round the day off. |
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