The Severn Tunnel

by Thomas Andrew Walker

THE

SEVERN TUNNEL:

Its Construction and Difficulties.

1872-1887.

BY

THOMAS A. WALKER.

WITH FIVE PORTRAITS ON STEEL AND UPWARDS OF FORTY SKETCHES AND PLANS.

LONDON:

RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, NEW BURLINGTON STREET.

Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen.

1888.

Sir John Hawkshaw, F.R.S.

Engraved by G. J. Stodart from a photograph by Barraud

DEDICATION.

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The following account of some of the difficulties met with in the construction of the Severn Tunnel, and how they were surmounted, is, by kind permission, dedicated to the Engineer-in-Chief, Sir John Hawkshaw, of whose professional skill and indomitable perseverance the Tunnel itself will ever remain a lasting monument.

T. A. W.

June 14, 1888.

Thomas A. Walker

Engraved by G. J. Stodard from a photograph by Barbaud

London, Richard Bentley and Son, 1888

	Preface	vi
	List of Portraits on Steel	xi
	List of Illustrations	xiii
I.	Description of the estuary of the Severn, and the country in the immediate neighbourhood of the Severn Tunnel.	1
II.	The early history of the undertaking.	11
III.	The commencement of the works under the contract.	26
IV.	The final struggle.	45
V.	Great snow storm; strike among the miners; River Severn breaks in on the sea-wall side.	59
VI.	Tunnelling.	77
VII.	A year of good progress [1882].	98
VIII.	Further progress and greater troubles.	119
IX.	A week of troubles.	127
X.	The means taken to deal with the great spring.	137
XI.	Side-heading drvien to Big Spring; completion of the Brickwork; Big Spring shut out; works passed by Board of Trade.	144
XII.	The men by whom the work was done.	165
	Appendix: Description of the large pumps by Messrs. Harvey, of Hayle Foundry.	180

LIST OF PORTRAITS ON STEEL.

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Sir John Hawkshaw, F.R.S.	frontispiece
(engraved by J. G. Stodart)
Mr. Thomas A. Walker	to face preface
(engraved by J. G. Stodart)
Mr. Charles Richardson	to face page 12
(engraved by W. H. Gibbs)
Mr. J. Clarke Hawkshaw	157
(engraved by W. H. Gibbs)
Mr. Harrison Hayter	166
(engraved by W. H. Gibbs)

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

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	TO FACE PAGE
View of Telford’s Bridge at Gloucester	1
„„The Severn (Railway) Bridge	2
„„Sudbrook Chapel	4
Map (1-inch Ordnance) showing Line of the Severn Tunnel	10
Plan of Sudbrook in 1873 (before the Severn Tunnel was commenced)	14
Plan showing Position of the Old Shaft, Iron Shaft, and Headings	16
Section showing all Headings driven when the ‘Big Spring’ broke in	18
Plan of Sudbrook in 1879	18
Plan of Shield put in the Old Shaft to keep back the ‘Big Spring’	28
Longitudinal Section of the Severn Tunnel, showing Geological Strata as found	32
Cross Section of Tunnel, showing Arch	34
Plan of Sudbrook in 1880	38
Plan of Headwalls and Doors in the Heading at Sudbrook	54
View of Portskewett Pier, with the Tunnel Works in the distance	66
Plan of Methods of Timbering Headings	80
„„‘Breaking up’ from the Heading	82
„„Break-up Length with Centres	84
„„Timbering for Tunnel in Soft Ground	86
Section showing Method of Sinking 29-foot Shaft and Curbs	88
View of Sir John Hawkshaw inspecting the Works, and at Work in the Tunnel	102
Plan of the Infirmary at Sudbrook	106
„„the New Mission Hall, Sudbrook	108
View of Sudbrook	118
Plan of Sudbrook in 1882	118
„„Cavity, Headwall, and all Headings near the ‘Big Spring’	124
View of the Temporary Engine-Houses at Sudbrook	130
„„the Permanent Engine-Houses at Sudbrook	130
„„Men in Boat sawing the Timber	132
„„Flooded Cutting	134
Plan of the Temporary Pumping-Engines for the Great Spring and Pumps in the Tunnel	138
Elevation of Temporary Engine-Houses for the Great Spring	140
View of the Fever Hospital at Sudbrook	142
Plan of the Fever Hospital at Sudbrook	142
„„Side-Heading to the Great Spring	146
„„Fissure and all Headings at Great Spring	148
„„Sudbrook in 1884	150
Progress Sections for the Years 1881-4	151
Plan of Permanent Pumps at Sudbrook—Engines and Pumps at top of Shaft	164
Plan of Permanent Pumps—Plan of Engines round Shaft	164
Plan of Permanent Pumps—Pumps in Shaft	164