Info
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The Water Ladder was a structure to facilitate quick climbing in a strictly vertical manner. The accessible portion of this structure was a 1x1 shaft, but if created above ground would require 3x3 blocks of horizontal space.
Structure
The ladder is essentially two shafts separated by a wall. At the top of the second shaft, a water source block is placed. The ladders Ladder Transparency Yes Luminance No Blast resistance 2 Tool Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (64) Flammable No Drops Itself Data value dec: 65 hex: 41 bin: 1000001 Name ladder “ Sometimes the fans are right, too. Like ladders. I 
are placed every other block. However the placement here is important; the first ladder must be placed in front of the hole leading to the water source block.
For every two blocks dug down, dig two blocks over and then one up to connect the water shaft. Place ladders in front of all of these openings to stop the water from flowing out into the ladder shaft..
As of Beta 1.5, you are now required to look at the corner between the water and the ladders to even go up the water ladder, and the bottom of the ladder now requires three consecutive ladders without a gap. Going up a water ladder is slightly slower than before, but it`s still significantly faster than regular ladders.
Videos
Ladders vs. Signs
It has been noted that this can be achieved by placing signs Sign Type Non-Solid Block Physics No Transparency Yes Luminance No Blast resistance 5 Hardness 1 Tool Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (16) Flammable No, but catches fire from lava (Yes in Pocket Edition) First appearances See 
in front of the water outlets as well, but if the water is ever stopped, you can`t climb signs back out.
Another reason to use ladders rather than signs is resource efficiency. It costs 7 sticks Stick Type Raw materials Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (64) First appearances See History Data value dec: 280 hex: 118 bin: 100011000 Name stick A stick is an item used for crafting many tools and items. Contents 
to make three ladders, or 1.17 planks Wood Planks Transparency No Luminance No Blast resistance 15 Tool Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (64) Flammable Yes Drops Itself Data value dec: 05 hex: 5 bin: 101 Name planks Wood planks are common blocks used in many crafting 
for one, while a sign is comprised of 2.16 planks. Ladders also stack in larger bunches in your inventory, so you can carry more of them, or have more room for other gear (64 of ladders versus 16 of signs).
Be that as it may, transport down is faster when using signs, one can simply fall down the shaft and then land on a pool at the bottom. When using ladders, you`ll have to climb down.
Notes
- Due to the South/West rule This article is a stub. Please help us by expanding it. The south-east rule (formerly known as the south-west rule) is an unintentional mechanic in Minecraft wherein various effects occur based on compass rose directions, , only water ladders facing south or west (user facing the water) will work.
- As of Beta 1.4, only ascending a water ladder from a standstill on the ground will work.
- Facing one of the corners of the water ladder also seems to allow it to function.
- As of Beta 1.5, water ladders are still climbable, but require careful positioning to allow faster-than-normal vertical motion.
- Also as of Beta 1.5, Minecraft will sometimes recognize the player as "in" the water causing an annoying delay to climbing ladders.
- As of Beta 1.6, water ladders are harder to build, slower and more difficult to use, but still allow faster vertical motion than ladders.
Hidden Water Ladder
It was possible to make a hidden water ladder, but this was also affected by the Beta 1.6 bug-fix. To construct one, build your water shaft normally except put dirt or cobblestone where you would normally put the ladder. Then, move one space sideways, and dig a shaft upwards there. Face the corner where the water is and press up. Voila! Now hide your water source blocks and you`re done. Using his method you can remove the usage of signs or ladders, but also makes it difficult (not impossible) to go downwards without damaging yourself, so this type is ideal for one-way up shafts. The other downside is that it only works when it is facing southwest (user facing the ladder).
Gallery
http://i.imgur.com/gyPBG.png
Resources
There are a couple videos on @@@#@@@YouTube(youtube.com)###@### featuring the speed of a water ladder and also the creation of one.
