Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/168

Rh of the Sea-Wall Shaft, and about 300 yards of continuous arching had been turned westwards of the shaft.

In addition to this the arching had been commenced at two break-ups going westward, the long heading had been joined, and ventilation was established through the works between the Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire sides of the river. Four break-ups had been started in the Pennant rock under the ‘Shoots,’ and about 100 yards of arching had been completed from these four break-ups. The 9-ft. barrel had been entirely lined with brickwork, and the 18-ft. tunnel at the bottom of the new shaft at Sudbrook had also been completed with a bellmouth into it, out of the 9 ft.

A head-wall had been built across the entrance to the Iron Pit, and a 3-ft. sluice-valve fixed in it, from which rods were led up the New Pit to the surface of the ground.

About 60 yards of tunnel had been completed at the bottom of the New Pit, and both the New Pit and the Old Pit at Sudbrook had been secured by brickwork to the arch of the tunnel.

At 5 miles 4 chains both shafts had been bricked, and about 15 yards of tunnel completed at the bottom of the winding shaft.

The brickmaking plant had been established and started to work.

The number of houses provided for the men was one detached house for the principal foreman, one