Early history of the undertaking—1877. asking for tenders were published. Only three tenders were received, one of which was from myself. Sir John Hawkshaw, acting as consulting engineer, advised the Directors to accept the tender I then made; but, after considerable discussion, they being of the opinion that too great an amount had been estimated for contingencies, decided not to let the contract until they had further proved the ground, and, in fact, till they had driven a heading through the whole length of the tunnel.
They then entered into two small contracts, one with Mr. Oliver Norris, of New Passage, to sink a shaft on the Gloucestershire side of the river, and to drive headings east and west from that shaft; and another with Mr. Rowland Brotherhood, to sink two shafts, known as the ‘Marsh Shaft’ and the ‘Hill Shaft,’ and to drive headings both ways from these shafts. The Company continued to carry on the heading under the river themselves, and they also at a later period agreed with Mr. Norris to drive from the original or old pit 7-feet headings, westwards towards the Marsh Pit, and eastwards on the formation level of the tunnel under the river.
The Company also completed the pumping-shaft which they had commenced in 1877. This shaft they tubbed with iron, erected an engine-house over it, and in this fixed two Bull-engines, each with a 50-inch cylinder and 10-feet stroke, and each working a 26-inch plunger-pump.
The iron tubbing of the shaft did not reach quite