Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/103

48 surface of the ground in both pits. Pumping was continued steadily, and by the 31st the depth from the surface in the Iron Pit was 155 feet, and throughout the workings 150 feet. On the 2nd November the water was down 161 feet in the Iron Pit, and 154 feet 6 inches in the other parts of the workings.

I then determined to endeavour to shut an iron door in a head-wall, which had been built by the Company in the long heading under the river about 1,000 feet from the bottom of the shaft, which the men in the panic on the first breaking in of the water had left open. The diver to do this work would only work under a head of 30 feet of water. He would have to walk up the heading 1,000 feet from the bottom of the shaft, drawing his air-hose after him, and when he reached the door he would have to go behind the door, which opened inwards, and shut down a flap-valve upon an 18-inch pipe; come back through the door, pull up two rails of the tramway, close the door after him, and then screw down a 12-inch sluice-valve which was on another pipe on the north side of the door, when all communication with the further part of the heading under the river would be completely cut off.

As it was impossible for one diver to drag so long a length of hose as 1,000 feet after him up the heading, three divers were engaged. One stood at the bottom of the shaft to pass the hose, which was floating hose, round the bend from the shaft into the heading; the two others then started up the heading