Source Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in England. Dimensions that together makes it the longest of all European Gothic cathedrals.
more than a century ago, Winchester Cathedral was saved by the heroic work of a diver, who worked tirelessly to strengthen and preserve historical and one of the largest and most representative buildings in England.
more than a century ago, Winchester Cathedral was saved by the heroic work of a diver, who worked tirelessly to strengthen and preserve historical and one of the largest and most representative buildings in England.
William Walker is probably one of the world's top divers. Known as the man who Winchester Cathedral saved, became a hero in the folklore of Winchester and a whole country. Such was the gratitude that there are numerous statues of him around the cathedral. Even in the prayers of every day is a thanksgiving for the important work of the experienced diver.
was formed as a diver in Portsmouth, Arsenal, in 1887 as assistant diving. In 1892 he was qualified as an expert deep sea diver, winning the respect and admiration of the Siebe Gorman, a British elite group which developed diving equipment for rescue projects navy. A company that was billed as "The submarine engineers."
In 1906 the archaeologist of the Cathedral of Winchester, John Crook said, very seriously that the building was in danger of collapse.
ordered the cathedral built by King William in collaboration with Bishop William Walkelin in 1079. The limestone was imported from one of the quarry on the islands of Wight. The bishop "persuaded" to the king to use the wood of the real jungle Hempage to provide a firm foundation on marshy land that was chosen for the cathedral. To the consternation of the king for the destruction of the forest, all trees were felled to form the floor, then the limestone was deposited which was subsequently developed the majestic building.
course, 800 years after the wood began to fall, endangering the cathedral in cracking and sinking in the muddy side. The official, Bishop Walkelin unfortunately could not explain his fatal decision.
A civil engineer named Francis Fox decided that the only way to save the cathedral was to replace the decayed wood with a layer of concrete. Fox hired workers to dig a trench along the cathedral. However, the swamp water that surrounds the cathedral, flooded the trenches making the task impossible. Had to find a diver to remove the rotten wood and placement concrete. Had to be the best, with superb diving credentials. The choice was William Walker.
Working tirelessly for 6 hours per day in profound darkness, from 1906 to 1912 to get the full support of the cathedral. Were used 25,000 bags of cement, 115,000 concrete blocks and 900,000 bricks.
During the six years of work, weekends Walker returned to his home in Croydon about 91 miles from Winchester bike to see his family.
To celebrate the completion of the work was performed a service of thanksgiving led by the Archbishop of Canterbury in July 1912, Walker was presented with a sheet as prize money donated by King George V. He was later honored with the title of Member of the Royal Victorian Order.
Though fate could have chosen any other volunteer, William Walker remained humble but proud of his achievement. Unfortunately going to die just seven years later during the English flu epidemic of 1918. But his legacy will live on forever as the diver who saved the cathedral of Winchester.
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