1-151-895 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

The Thames Tunnel, London, 1832. Cross-section of Marc Isambard Brunel's double-arched masonry tunnel beneath the Thames. The Thames Tunnel, connecting Wapping and Rotherhithe, was the first underwater tunnel in the world. Completed as a foot tunnel in 1843, it was converted to a railway tunnel for the East London Railway in the 1860s. Constructed in 1825-1843, it is still used by the London Underground today. Isambard Kingdom Brunel acted as site engineer.