Re-opening Thames Tunnel

cutaway illustration of thames tunnel excavation around 1840

good monsieur brunel

let misanthropy tell

that work, half complete, begun ill;

heed them not, bore away

through gravel , clay,

nor doubt success of tunnel.

that mishap,

when thames forced gap,

and made fit haunt otter,

has proved scheme

is no catchpenny dream;—

they can t twill never hold water.

the thames tunnel fitted out lighting, roadways , spiral staircases during 1841–1842. engine house on rotherhithe side, houses brunel museum, constructed house machinery draining tunnel. tunnel opened public on 25 march 1843.