Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/288

Rh to the point where the ponies or the wire rope were attached to them.

The greatest number of men at work at one time was 3,628.

In almost all parts of the tunnel the men, when at work, had to wear either waterproof clothing or flannels. These clothes were provided by me, and large rooms were erected at each pit-top where the men could change their clothes, and at each room there was a man on duty day and night to see to the safety of the men’s own clothes, and to superintend the drying of the wet garments.

The average amount per week earned by the miners, taking into account all lost time, was £1 18s., and by the labourers £1 7s. 6d.

All the work except the brickwork was done ‘day-work,’ i.e., the men were paid by the day or hour.

The brickwork was done ‘piece-work,’ the tunnel being divided between two sub-contractors, Mr. Stephen Morse doing that portion which was under J. Talbot, and Mr. Edward Silverton that portion which was under J. Price.

At one time there were employed in taking account of the time made by the men, seven timekeepers by day, and five by night; and at the same period seven pay-clerks were employed, whose duty it was to make up the pay-books, and pay the men every Saturday. The pay was made at seven different places, in order to divide the men into gangs of