Swallow Gardens

[Stephen Thomas]

Due to the dearth of remaining "Ripper sites", I'd think this establishment could turn this into a tourist gold mine, I mean, what else do we have left? Maybe even put a little Ripper museum on site. Send all royalty checks to me fellows.

You jest Stan, of course, but I must say that it's a shame that more people don't get to visit this spot as it's definitely the most atmospheric and creepiest of the WM sites. I for one wouldn't fancy walking alone down Chamber Street on a dark night. Here are a couple of photos showing most of the south side of the street. The first is a great shot from Rob Clack taken from the boxed in western end, with Swallow Gardens appearing to glow eerily on the left. The second is one of mine looking east with the entrance to Swallow Gardens on the right.

[Observer]

Hi Colin

The photo with the sea food van in view I take is Swallow Gardens. I can see the bricked up rear wall in this photograph, this wall fronts on to Royal Mint Street. What I can't fathom out are the widow arrangements in this photograph. I can see the single top window in the bricked up arch, but I can't make out the other four windows below this. Also the van seems to be too high up, that is nearly on a level with the top window.

When one looks at the photo of the bricked up arch taken from little Prescott Street, you can appreciate the height of the lone upper window from ground level, this dosn't seem to sit right in the van photo. Is it a simple matter of foreshortening? Or has the level of the former thoroughfare been raised?

all the best

Observer

[Bulldog]

Hi Colin,

Fabulous photos! Thanks for sharing them with us, and for your definitive answer as to the actual length of Swallow Gardens.



Hellrider,

Frances Coles was probably unconscious when her throat was cut. Here's an excerpt from Dr. G.B. Phillips testimony: "There was a complete absence of any struggle or even any movement from pain, but it may have arisen from the fact that the woman was insensible from concussion."


Bulldog

... the guy was fine with him taking a photo and had no interest whatsoever when Colin told him why his lock-up was important ...

That's correct, Philip !!! He was very polite and accommodative, but clearly indifferent.

Anyway;


Railway Arch, Which Occupies the Site of the Former Thoroughfare(s) "Swallow('s) Gardens", Chamber Street, St. Mary Whitechapel, February 2007
interior, from north


Railway Arch, Which Occupies the Site of the Former Thoroughfare(s) "Swallow('s) Gardens", Chamber Street, St. Mary Whitechapel, February 2007
interior, from south


Railway Arch, Which Occupies the Site of the Former Thoroughfare(s) "Swallow('s) Gardens", Royal Mint Street, St. Mary Whitechapel, February 2007
from Little Prescot Street (west)
(first closed arch)


Railway Arch, Which Occupies the Site of the Former Thoroughfare(s) "Swallow('s) Gardens", Royal Mint Street, St. Mary Whitechapel, February 2007
from Royal Mint Street (south)


2006 Google Earth Aerial / 1894 OS Overlay


2006 Google Earth Aerial / 1894 OS Overlay / Goad Fire Insurance Survey Overlay (depicts orientation of archway)


2006 Google Earth Aerial
Red: Railway Arch, Which Occupies the Site of the Former Thoroughfare(s) "Swallow('s) Gardens", Chamber Street / Royal Mint Street, St. Mary Whitechapel

According to Google Earth; the length of the archway is ~111 feet, 8 inches.


Colin

[Hellrider]

this not a thread about the Coles murder of course, but as you just mentioned the complete darkness in the middle of the tunnel, would her killer not have had enourmous difficulty to cut her throat when he saw virtually nothing...and how did he make sure he had her in his grasp and she would not be able to escape?

[Bulldog]

In fact, I think it VERY unlikely the murder spot is as far as 55 feet in as Bulldog suggests as that would make it the majority of the way through it, wouldn't it? It looks on the sketches like it's a third of the way in, maybe about 20 feet. I reckon, on Colin's photo that we used, that would make it about level with the wooden booth and on the spot of the left-hand tyre marks.

Hi Philip,

Frances Coles's body was found just over 1/3 of the way into Swallow Gardens with her head towards Chamber Street and her feet pointing at an angle toward Royal Mint Street.

I've never been inside the archway. I used my estimate of 55 feet based on contemporary accounts that described Swallow Gardens as being from somewhat more than 40 yards in length to 50 yards in length:


The Eastern Post & City Chronicle
Saturday, 14 February 1891

The arch, which was the actual theatre of the crime, is about fifty yards in length, and while fairly lighted at each end by lamps, the centre remains in deep shade. It was in the centre, where the shadow lies deepest, that the deed was committed. One side of the archway is walled up by a hoarding, the space enclosed being used as a builder's store.


The Times
Saturday, 14 February 1891

The archway, which is some 50 yards in length, is lighted at each end by lamps, and consequently, at those spots, is fairly well lighted, while the central part is totally dark.


The Times
Monday, 16 February 1891
(Reporting on the testimony of Police Constable Ernest Thompson)

“At that time I did not know the place was known by the name of Swallow-gardens, but I have heard so since. The roadway under the arch is partially taken away and boarded up from the crown of the arch to the ground. What remains is a roadway, enabling one cart to pass at a time. I should say the length of the arch is something over 40 yards.”


Insp. Flanagan also reported (13 February 1891) that he found the 2 shillings about 18 yards from the body. I have always assumed that he meant 18 yards further into the archway from where the body was found, but that was just an assumption. I suppose the money could have been found closer to Chamber Street.

Constable Frederick Hart, testifying at the inquest, was asked by a juryman if he would be able to see a body in the center of the arch if he were standing outside, at the end of the arch. Hart said "not from Royal Mint Street."

It's hard to believe that two reporters and a police constable who spent some time at the scene could be that far off in their estimate of the the length of the arch. Perhaps some day someone will get to measure the length of Swallow Gardens.

Regards,

Bulldog

[George Hutchinson]

Hi all.

The photo in the book was taken by our very own Septic Colin when he was on one of his UK jaunts. He turned up and miraculously found the place open. I'm sure he can fill you in, but the guy was fine with him taking a photo and had no interest whatsoever when Colin told him why his lock-up was important (can you imagine that? I mean, even not the least flicker of interest that your place was a famous Victorian murder scene?)

Both Rob and myself have taken shots through the letterbox of the interior (cue Monty with anti-Rob 'lens cap' pun) but there's not much to see.

In fact, I think it VERY unlikely the murder spot is as far as 55 feet in as Bulldog suggests as that would make it the majority of the way through it, wouldn't it? It looks on the sketches like it's a third of the way in, maybe about 20 feet. I reckon, on Colin's photo that we used, that would make it about level with the wooden booth and on the spot of the left-hand tyre marks.

I'd put Colin's photo up myself, but it's not mine to do so without his say-so. I know he'll say OK but nevertheless...

Just call me Scruples McHutchinson.

PHILIP

[sdreid]

Barney's Seafood (a wholesale shop on Chamber Street) uses it for storage. They also keep their van in there. Rob Clack & Philip Hutchinson show a picture of the interior on pg. 181 of their new book. Judging by the general clutter in that photo, you probably couldn't get to the actual murder spot even if you managed to get inside.

Due to the dearth of remaining "Ripper sites", I'd think this establishment could turn this into a tourist gold mine, I mean, what else do we have left? Maybe even put a little Ripper museum on site. Send all royalty checks to me fellows.

[Jake L]

Bulldog,

Yes, there definitely are newer bits there, including the concrete work. By the looks of them, the iron pillars could just be nineties. ie. part of the original extension.

Stephen,

I suspect that Little Prescott St may not even really had a name at that point, being a hoarded-up piss smelling alley (see attached article from just after the Coles murder).
Interestingly enough, it doesn't mention Abels Bldngs. (Other articles do mention the 3rd passage, though)


In the Goads, the area is split between three sheets, but the attached bit still gives a fairly good view of the two passages.


/jake

[Bulldog]

Interior of Swallow Gardens

A year or two ago someone posted a photo of the interior of Swallow Gardens that they managed to shoot by propping open the letterbox! Unfortunately, all of the images from that timeframe were apparently lost when the Casebook system crashed last winter.

Bulldog

[Bulldog]

Hi Bulldog,

Do you know why the door is always closed?

Barney's Seafood (a wholesale shop on Chamber Street) uses it for storage. They also keep their van in there. Rob Clack & Philip Hutchinson show a picture of the interior on pg. 181 of their new book. Judging by the general clutter in that photo, you probably couldn't get to the actual murder spot even if you managed to get inside.

I guess that if you really had a compelling need to take a look inside, you could call Barney's at 0207 481 2177 and ask them. The worst that could happen is having them say "NO!"

Regards,

Bulldog

[Stephen Thomas]

Hi Jake

Thanks for that great overhead photo of the railway lines between Royal Mint Street and Chamber Street. Mr Cool knows where it's at. I got the idea that Little Prescott Street and Swallow Gardens were the same from the Booth 1898 notebook that says:

Into Royal Mint Street, the whole of the north side with the exc. of 4 houses before you come to the railway is down. Now used as yards for the railway companies. North up passage formerly called Little Prescott Street and Swallow Gardens where one of the Whitechapel Murders was committed under dark railway arch....

The 1898 Poverty Map actually shows 3 walkways under the railway lines, presumably left to right, Abels Buildings, Little Prescott Street and Swallow Gardens.

[sdreid]

Hi Bulldog,

Do you know why the door is always closed?

[Bulldog]

Can't remember the exact year, but I seem to recall that it was in the late nineties. If you look at the 1894 OS, the widening of the tracks (to the North) has already been marked in. The accu tower on the South side next to the Minories underpass (still standing) was built around the same time.

/jake

Jake,

Thanks. The reinforced corcrete beam looked a lot newer than that. Perhaps some later repair work.

Thanks again.

Bulldog

[Bulldog]

So, where would the "X" be placed on the photographs?

About 55 ft. inside the corrugated steel roll-up door, along the right hand side of the archway.

No one gets inside to look at the actual murder site. The door is always closed.

Bulldog