Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/84

Rh iron shaft, on the 11th February, and arrangements were made for sinking a pumping-shaft on the Gloucestershire side at Sea-Wall, which was to be 45 feet to the south of the existing pit, and kept as a separate pumping-pit.

It was also arranged to sink two shafts at a point about 26 chains from the Sudbrook shafts westwards, to commence the work to the west of the point where the Great Spring had broken in, and it was at that time thought possible that we might, after these shafts were sunk, arrange to pump all the water from the Great Spring at that point, and keep the rest of the work dry.

The shaft on the Gloucestershire side, known as the Sea-Wall Shaft, was to be sunk 27 feet below the old levels to allow for the lowering of the gradient 15 feet, and for sufficient sump-room to hold the water for the pumps. The sinking of the shaft was commenced on the 18th March, and was proceeded with, with a little difficulty, till the level of the heading was reached. A cross-heading was driven from the new pit to the old one, 10 feet above the bottom of the old pumps, and what water was found in the new pit was allowed to flow through this to the pumps.

The sinking below that level was much more difficult. There were difficulties with boilers, and difficulties with pumps, and it was not till the 17th July that the shaft was finally completed, and the pumps fixed. The brickwork of the shaft had