William Walker (diver)

William Walker (born 19 March 1869, date of death unknown) was a British diver known for his critical role in saving Winchester Cathedral from collapse in the early 20th century.

Between 1906 and 1911, Walker spent six hours a day, five days a week, working in the dark and murky water beneath the cathedral's foundations. He worked to underpin the structurally unsound south and east walls, which were sinking into the waterlogged peat bog upon which the cathedral was built.

Walker's task involved excavating peat from beneath the existing foundations and replacing it with bags of concrete. He worked without sophisticated diving equipment, relying on a basic diving suit and air pump. He placed over 25,000 bags of concrete, effectively building a massive underwater wall that stabilized the cathedral's foundations.

His efforts were crucial in preventing the collapse of the cathedral. The work he did proved essential, and without it the cathedral may have been lost.

While details regarding Walker's life before and after his work at Winchester Cathedral are limited, his contribution to architectural preservation is widely recognized and celebrated. He is considered a hero for his bravery and skill in undertaking such a dangerous and vital project. Memorials and plaques within Winchester Cathedral commemorate his remarkable achievement.