182 The Projected Mersey Tunnel and Bmlway. [April, 



three years and two months ; and this, be it remembered, would 

 have been the result if made wholly from one end ; whereas, with 

 the present increased facilities and knowledge of the operation, it 

 would have been carried on from both sides simultaneously, when, 

 even at the then slow rate of progress, the time would be reduced 

 to one year and seven months ; so that there can be no doubt that, 

 with present appliances, the work of the tunnel could, with perfect 

 ease, be completed in one year and a quarter ; and taking for the 

 shafts and other matters, say, half a year more, the whole could 

 with convenience be accomplished in one year and three-quarters. 



In order to clear up every doubt, I propose, at an estimated 

 cost of 20,000Z., to drive a heading under the Mersey from shore 

 to shore, a distance of 1300 yards, and thus not only to prove the 

 practicable nature of the larger and more complete undertakmg, 

 but also the future cost, whilst at the same time providing the 

 necessary drainage and ventilation for the permanent works. 



The first operation will be to sink a shaft on either side of the 

 river, on land belonging to the JMersey Docks Board, to a depth 

 of about 120 feet below the surface (see Plate, lower figure). The 

 shaft on the Liverpool side will, for a depth of say 40 feet, pass 

 through made ground, and will then enter, and for the remainder 

 of its length be entirely through, the solid rock. That on the 

 Birkenhead side will be in solid rock throughout. These shafts 

 will be about 10 feet in diameter, and will terminate in large 

 sumps for pumping purposes. At each will be erected permanent 

 pumping engines and pumps of sufiicient power to deal with the 

 largest quantity of water that is likely to be met with, and which 

 pumps will not only be used during the construction of the works, 

 but be adapted for keeping the main tunnels permanently free from 

 water. Winding engines will also be erected of sufiicient power, 

 not only to deal with the material excavated from the heachng, but 

 also with that from the tunnel itself. 



The shafts having been sunk to the full depth, and the machinery 

 fixed, the heading will be commenced from either end, and driven 

 much in the same way as an ordinary mining water-level. It will 

 have a very slight rise towards the middle of the river, so as to 

 drain both ways into the shafts. Judging from experience, I expect 

 that, at least, 4 yards lineal a day will be driven at either end, giving 

 a total of 160 working days, or thereabouts, for the completion of 

 the heading after the shafts are sunk. I have taken much pains to 

 collect evidence as to the nature of the rock through which the 

 heading will pass, and have found everyone conversant with the 

 subject unanimous upon the point. The general result of my 

 inquiries and observations cannot be more forcibly explained than 

 by the following summary of evidence given before the lieferees of 

 the House of Commons in 1865. 



