Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/215

132 consisting of about 90 men, had descended the Marsh Pit, to proceed with their work.

About 450 yards of tunnel were completed at the bottom of this pit, and two break-ups were being worked, and were in various stages of progress west of it.

It will be remembered that the gradient of the tunnel at this point rose 1 in 90 to the west.

A perfect storm of wind was blowing at the time from the south-west, and it was known that one of the highest tides of the year would occur that night, but no tide had ever been known to come so high as the works at this shaft.

Between the shaft and the river itself, in a south-westerly direction, were a number of small cottages, built by the men employed upon the works, of stone and timber; and there were also several brick cottages, owned by the firm who carried on the Tinplate Works, and inhabited by their men.

Suddenly, in the darkness, a great tidal-wave burst over the whole of the low-lying ground between the shaft and the river. It must have come on as a solid wall of water, 5 or 6 feet high. It entered all the houses, most of which were only of one storey, and rose above the beds on which the children were asleep. The children were saved by being placed upon high tables, or even on shelves.

The bedding, blankets, and many articles of furniture, were entirely destroyed. Fortunately the houses were not thrown down.