Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/222

Rh in considerable quantity over the sea-wall on the Gloucestershire side of the river, and the meadows around the shaft were, on the morning of the 18th, covered with water, which stood 8 inches over the rails of the tramway.

To the westward of the Marsh Pit the same tidal wave had flooded the whole of the meadows, and the sea bank round the cutting at the western end of the tunnel not being completed, the cutting was full of water. Fortunately, the heading from this cutting to the tunnel had not at that time been completed, or the works at the Hill Pit would also have been drowned by the action of this tidal wave.

On the morning of the 18th the works of the tunnel were in a worse position than they had been since January, 1881; and though each difficulty had been successfully contended with as it arose, it was yet to be ascertained whether we could hope, without great delay, to arrange sufficient pumping machinery to cope with the body of water which it was evident we had met with between Sudbrook and 5 miles 4 chains.

The pits at 5 miles 4 chains and the Marsh were soon clear of water, and work was resumed at the Marsh Pit on the 23rd, and at 5 miles 4 chains on the 19th. As soon as the pumps cleared the tunnel under the river of water, on the 3rd November, the work upon the Gloucestershire side of the river was resumed with the full force of men; but as an