Some time ago, during a strict, Covid-enforced lockdown, the district water company decided to seize the opportunity to clean a large underground chamber in river city while many urban explorers hibernated.
For many years, the site was blocked off, likely due to the actions of some CC members, but mostly due to the growth of the urban exploration community in the city.
A large steel plate covered the only accessible entrance of two, the other having been grassed over for some time. The metal guardian turned many away as it sheer size required the efforts of ten people to removed.
The great subterranean hall lay dormant and largely undisturbed for years until it required cleaning for an unknown reason.
Walking by it's entrance one day I noticed a number of council vehicles parked. One of which was a truck with a small crane. They had lifted the lid.
There was no time to waste. I went home to get a camera and gas meter among other things and ventured down that afternoon as soon as they left.
I removed the lightweight concrete cover and stepped down the ladder. I was presented with a descending staircase that led into the depths of the chasm. I could not see any walls nor the bottom.
I stepped cautiously down each stair, avoiding the hoses that the workmen had left.
As I reached the bottom barely any light shone upon me, but my eyes has adjusted.
I listened to the sound of distant drips echoing off the walls of the massive space waiting for the gas meter to confirm the warnings I'd heard. That the air down there was toxic, and I'd be dead in seconds...
As I walked further into the darkness the meter continued to read 20.5% oxygen. Had the workers vented the bad air? Could the warnings have just been to keep other explorers out? I wasn't sure, but happy to be breathing.
Now relaxed, I took a moment to take in the scale of the place and listen. I'd never been in such silence before. No wind. No running water. Just the occasional drip of water.
The sides were sloped, and proved a challenging, slippery climb.
The ceiling reaches a height of almost 20 meters while stretching 100 meters long and 60 meters wide.
This place is fantastic! It was named Dreadnought (shortened to "Dread") by the Exploration group (the) Cave Clan sometime in the 1980s who hosted a number of rave parties there before it's lock-up.
There is an internal lighting system installed which can be controlled from within the control room that is accessed via a different manhole at the surface. (only a single light remained functional and so candles were used for some of the photos)
I visited three times before it was once again sealed with the plate-of-doom.
I have a number of photos from the control room and other areas, so if anyone would like me to, I can post a few extras!
Be safe everyone!
Duck.
