Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/175

104 a distance of 100 yards, the lights were also instituted underground.

Electric lighting was comparatively in its infancy at the time this plant was erected, and I was advised that it was preferable to lay the cable (which was an insulated cable containing seven copper wires) in boxes underground, buried in cement concrete. It was supposed that there would be considerable danger to the men if the cables, though insulated, were carried upon poles above the surface of the ground; but a very short experience convinced us that it was impossible to work with the cables underground.

When any quantity of water made its way into the boxes, a current was set up between the two cables, and the wires rapidly fused. In consequence of this, a great deal of trouble was experienced with the light at first; and ultimately the whole of the cable was taken up, and fixed upon poles at least 15 feet above the surface of the ground, when the light was found to act admirably.

This light was a great advantage both for working on the surface at night and for the men running out skips from the lengths below—one great advantage being, that it generated little or no heat; but of course we could not use these lamps in the lengths that were at work, on account of the blasting. And even in those places where a man could work by the electric light, we generally found that he placed a candle in front of him on account of the deep shadow thrown by the light from his own body.