Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/79

30 came in through the brickwork and the sluice when it was shut than one 26-inch pump would lift, i.e., more than 2,500 gallons per minute.

No. 2 pump, however, continuing to work fairly well, we continued lowering the shields, and, with occasional stoppages for repairs, we completed the fixing of the shields by the 24th January. We at once found that the shield in the western heading leaked badly all round.

The flap-doors were opened, and a large number of bags full of Portland cement was passed through by the divers, and built up inside the shield for the purpose of stopping any leakage of water.

On the 29th January, this cement being all placed behind the shield, the pumps were stopped to allow it to set properly before strain was brought upon it.

A 15-inch pump was added to the 18-inch in the Old Pit, worked by the 41-inch beam-engine, and on the 5th February the pumps were again started, and by the 7th the water was lowered in the Iron Pit 72 feet. A diver was then able to examine No. 1 26-inch pump, which had broken down; and he found that the H-piece was broken.

Many plucky attempts were made by the divers, especially by Lambert, to ascertain where the water came in at the bottom of the Iron Pit, and whether anything could be done to stop the leakage, so that the one pump might empty the pit, and permit us to repair the broken H-piece.