Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/228

Rh was to work the 37-inch plunger-pump, the second 70-inch to work the 35-inch bucket-pump, and the 60-inch engine to work a 31-inch bucket-pump. The second 60-inch beam-engine, with a 31-inch bucket-pump, was fixed at 5 miles 4 chains, where, in consequence of the pressure after the head-walls were closed at Sudbrook, a much greater quantity of water was coming into the works.

The first work commenced was the filling up of the bottom of the Old Pit. This was done with concrete, through which a 6-inch pipe was laid into the 9-ft. barrel, and the water which came into the pit was drained through it to the Iron Pit. By means of this pipe we were able to keep the shaft sufficiently dry, and to finish the concrete to within 10 feet of the top of the invert of the tunnel. A considerable piece of this invert had to be cut out on one side to receive the H-piece of the 37-inch plunger-pump.

The erection of four large engines of course necessitated the provision of additional boilers. These were also purchased. Ten Lancashire boilers, varying from 27 feet to 30 feet in length, and 7 feet in diameter, were purchased, and the seating of the boilers and the erection of the boiler-houses was commenced.

The estimated expense of providing this additional plant was more than £16,000, and at the time when this heavy additional expenditure was to be incurred I was already, from the unforeseen