Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/132

Rh and a good road, with proper drainage, made throughout the whole length of 1¾ miles.

A system of sixty Swan electric lights was also established at the end next the shaft, and 20-candle-power lamps were fixed at distances of 22 yards apart, from the bottom of the shaft to where the first break-up was to be formed, for building the tunnel under the ‘Shoots.’ The long heading was then driven through to join the eastern side of the river, and the junction was effected at 10 p.m. on the 26th September, 1881.

Up to the time of making this junction the only system of ventilation available for us was by conveying compressed air from compressors at Sudbrook through the whole length of 1¾ miles.

Three mains were laid for this air—one 2-inch main for the men driving the heading, and two 3-inch mains for supplying compressed air to work the rock-drills in the break-ups under the ‘Shoots.’

We were using, for blasting, ‘tonite,’ made by the Cotton Powder Company, which I had selected as giving off less noxious fumes than any other explosive, except the highly-washed gun-cotton; but in the end of July two men, who had been working in the heading at the Marsh Pit, died of inflammation of the lungs, after a very short illness. The opinion of the doctors in charge was that the men died from inflammation of the lungs contracted from exposure, the headings being very wet and hot, and the men careless; but, as usual, some people were found to say that