Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/52

Rh pier, and other railway servants. A footpath along the bank of the river led from the nearest public road, and from this inn to the site of the shaft.

Before commencing the works it was necessary to make some provision for the men who would be employed there. For this purpose land, to a small extent, was purchased by the Great Western Railway Company near the shaft, and upon it were built six cottages and a small office.

A single line of railway, or tramway, was laid from Portskewett Station to the shaft on land leased from the tenant of Southbrook Farm. Over this the winding engines, pumping engines, bricks, timber, and other materials were brought to the shaft, and six other cottages were built upon land belonging to the Great Western Railway Company, near the Bristol and South Wales Union line, between Portskewett Station and Portskewett Pier.

The progress made with so small a provision was necessarily slow, and in August, 1877, after four and a half years’ work, all that had been done consisted of the sinking of the one shaft, afterwards known as the ‘Old Shaft,’ and the driving of about 1,600 yards of 7-feet square heading under the river. A second shaft had been commenced, in which it was intended to fix the permanent pumps to drain the tunnel. This shaft in August was about half sunk, but not lined.

At this date the Directors decided that they would let the contract for the works, and advertisements