Progress of the work—1884. Gloucestershire side, and 1,987 on the Monmouthshire side.
The total length of tunnel executed on the Gloucestershire side of the river, under John Price, was 3,260 yards. In addition, he also executed about 100 yards of tunnel detached from the main tunnel, under the road known as Ableton Lane, The total length of tunnel executed under Joseph Talbot was 4,406 yards.
The length of the tunnel stated in the contract originally had been 7,942 yards; but this had been reduced in the beginning of the year 1884 to 7,666 yards; the cutting at the western end of the tunnel being lengthened to the extent of 276 yards, to provide the material required for making up the sidings at the station near Rogiet, afterwards known as Severn Tunnel Junction.
Every part of the works, except the 300 yards previously mentioned, was pushed on with rapidity, and only those ordinary accidents and delays which are inseparable from tunnel-work interfered with the progress.
Singularly enough, we generally found that when one accident occurred, others followed almost immediately. For instance, on February 15th the T-bobs of two of the pumps at 5 miles 4 chains broke down, and, in breaking, bent the crank-shaft of the engine. On the 17th the pump-rod of one of the pumps at the Marsh Pit broke; on the 18th a large pump at 5 miles 4 chains broke down; and on the 19th
