Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/239



first nine months of the year 1884 were like those of 1883—uneventful months.

The whole of the tunnel, except rather less than 300 yards, where the Great Spring had been shut back by two head-walls, was fully at work. The largest possible number of men was employed upon the works, and all the plant and machinery that could be utilized was on the ground.

The carrying out of the works had originally been entrusted to two principal foremen—Mr. John Price taking the Gloucestershire side of the river, and Mr. Joseph Talbot the Monmouthshire side, which included the work under the ‘Shoots’ and the work at the three outlying shafts, 5 miles 4 chains, the Marsh, and the Hill, as well as the principal shaft at Sudbrook.

The greatest number of men employed in this year was 3,628; 1,641 being employed on the