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 Servo
   
 |  | Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
< on 12/5/2004 6:56 PM >
|  | | | So recently, as a last hurrah before moving, I went back to the old local asylum to get some shots and just say goodbye. Well, I guess as the asylum's way of saying bye to me, that is, "you can never really leave", I stumbled on a manhole I had never found previously. There were other manholes around marked "sewer" and you could clearly hear water running in them, but this one wasn't marked at all, and looked old and crusty.
So thoughts of tunnels running through my head, I purchased a manhole opening device (crowbar) from a nearby store and returned, Irishlady and roommate in tow, to see what was underneath.
Upon popping the cover, this... uhh, "vapor" of some kind began exiting the vault. Now, unfortunately this was only an access to a pipe junction; the pipes themselves ran through half-meter high tunnels that weren't really explorable. There didn't appear to be any water in them, although I guess that doesn't totally preclude it being condensing water vapor since it recently turned cold here.
Now, by this time it was dark, so we had only my flashlight available, which has sort of a blueish cast being LED-based. But even then it seemed like the stuff was blueish itself. Again, could have just been an illusion, though. Also, the vapor hung around the vault for a long time -- it never totally cleared out, and I was a bit reluctant to stick my face in it. It did get thinner though, as it was quite thick at first.
Anyone have any ideas what this mystery gas might have been? I have no idea how old this junction box is; the main part of the asylum was built in the 1860s, but it was nearer the part built in the 1960-1970s. So I'm guessing it is from this period. In either case the cover likely hasn't been popped in decades.
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Servo
| | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 2 on 12/5/2004 8:48 PM >
| | | | I didn't smell anything at all. I also didn't try to stick my nose in it, but given how much was coming out I think we would have smelled it if it had a smell.
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junkyard
Location: LaCrosse, WI
Gender: Male
Strategic Beer Command where the metal hits the meat.
| |  | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 3 on 12/5/2004 9:16 PM >
| | | | Wouldn't have been a steam pipe? They just have that hot smell like a burner on your stove. Boils the water right out of the air around it.
I drink gasoline for breakfeast and beer for dinner!
Any problem can be licked with a case of beer and a few sticks of dynamite.
Strategic Beer Command ruling the desert since 1995 http://www.strategic-beer-command.com |
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Servo
| | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 4 on 12/5/2004 9:30 PM >
| | | | The newer facility has been closed for over a year. The vapor could have been hanging out in there for that long, but I don't think the lines were steam lines -- they were all pretty small and uninsulated; looked like water lines. But it's certainly possible.
Another thing I thought, is that it could have been vapor condensing on contact with the outside air. Like I said, the vault probably hadn't been opened for years, and I would guess the temp down there was higher than outside (it was around 45F outside).
[last edit 12/5/2004 9:30 PM by Servo - edited 1 times]
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bigshooter
Gender: Male
| | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 5 on 12/5/2004 10:11 PM >
| | | | Servo, I recently encountered something similar to this. A friend and I found a manhole with a sign that said No Parking: Sewar Access. Since it's near Downtown Saint Paul, we decided to take a peak and see what was inside. Under the cover was a ladder leading down to a floating platform. The platform was floating on top of a pool of blue water. Think liquid urinal cake... Two Giant pipes were visible at the bottom of the pool, leading down and (presumably) under the Mississippi and toward the treatment plant. A number of other, smaller pipes also came out of the water and lead in a variety of directions. The two big pipes go up, with a catwalk between them. Top of the stairs is a door, with about 12 latches. The door lead to a sanitary spiral drain. Not sure, but this might be called the Poop Slide by other locals (anyone confirm/deny this?)
Not sure if that's at all like what you came across. We kinda figured this stuff was either involved in the treatment process, or maybe for pumping the poo back up the cliff. Definatly interested in any input others might have about this.
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junkyard
Location: LaCrosse, WI
Gender: Male
Strategic Beer Command where the metal hits the meat.
| | | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 6 on 12/5/2004 10:16 PM >
| | | | I know that place. It is a ways from the poopslide, and a very messy travel at that. You'll know the poopslide and the FCC when you see them.
I drink gasoline for breakfeast and beer for dinner!
Any problem can be licked with a case of beer and a few sticks of dynamite.
Strategic Beer Command ruling the desert since 1995 http://www.strategic-beer-command.com |
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bigshooter
Gender: Male
| | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 7 on 12/6/2004 12:56 AM >
| | | | So you've gone into that door? We turned back because we had zero equipment for such activities with us. If I were ever going to do a Horror movie, I think I'd try to find a way of fitting that door into it... and if I weren't afriad of sparking a light in there, I'd do a teacandle shot...
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junkyard
Location: LaCrosse, WI
Gender: Male
Strategic Beer Command where the metal hits the meat.
| | | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 8 on 12/6/2004 1:26 AM >
| | | | I never went in it, just looked down it. It's on the wrong side of the river to be useful, isn't it? There is one more on the other side near the bridge too. But there is easier access near there than that line.
I drink gasoline for breakfeast and beer for dinner!
Any problem can be licked with a case of beer and a few sticks of dynamite.
Strategic Beer Command ruling the desert since 1995 http://www.strategic-beer-command.com |
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bigshooter
Gender: Male
| | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 9 on 12/6/2004 3:09 AM >
| | | | This is on the right side of the river. It's a block or two east of the "window" from telco. I should've taken pictures, but this was a scouting trip and we've not returned.
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Macsbug
Noble Donor
Location: St. Paul, MN
Gender: Male
Safety First!
| |  | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 10 on 12/6/2004 4:50 AM >
| | | | Anyways, there is better access then that door, and maybe it's discussion can be continued on PM's or a private forum, as it does not pertain to this thread, and is getting closer to publicly discussing entrance details, but maybe thats just me being paranoid.
"Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." |
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junkyard
Location: LaCrosse, WI
Gender: Male
Strategic Beer Command where the metal hits the meat.
| | | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 11 on 12/7/2004 3:14 AM >
| | | | I don't give a shit if anyone goes in there, guarantee they won't get laid in a month. Some smells just don't scrub off. But you're right, this thread was more about smells than what we're talking about.
I drink gasoline for breakfeast and beer for dinner!
Any problem can be licked with a case of beer and a few sticks of dynamite.
Strategic Beer Command ruling the desert since 1995 http://www.strategic-beer-command.com |
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PAWolf
  
Not from Pennsylvania
Location: KCMO
Gender: Male
We haven't located us yet.
| |  | | | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 12 on 12/7/2004 6:42 PM >
| | | | Posted by Servo
Now, by this time it was dark, so we had only my flashlight available, which has sort of a blueish cast being LED-based. But even then it seemed like the stuff was blueish itself. Again, could have just been an illusion, though. Also, the vapor hung around the vault for a long time -- it never totally cleared out, and I was a bit reluctant to stick my face in it. It did get thinner though, as it was quite thick at first.
Anyone have any ideas what this mystery gas might have been? I have no idea how old this junction box is; the main part of the asylum was built in the 1860s, but it was nearer the part built in the 1960-1970s. So I'm guessing it is from this period. In either case the cover likely hasn't been popped in decades.
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My guess is that it was just water vapor condensing into a fog in the cooler air. I think you were right that the blue came from your led flashlight. There's something about white led's light that makes water appear very blue.
-pawolf
Make Beer, Not War. |
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Servo
| | Re: Ancient Manholes and Ominous Vapors
<Reply # 13 on 12/7/2004 7:11 PM >
| | | | Ok, well thanks all, now I won't worry too much about having breathed some of it in. Sucks that after all that trouble, there weren't actual tunnels, but that's the way it goes sometimes...
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