CHAP. XII. THE RESIDENT ENGINEERS. 221 



ration from the surface. This peculiar character of the 

 Moss has presented an insuperable difficulty in the way 

 of reclaiming it by any system of extensive drainage- 

 such as by sinking shafts in its substance, and pumping 

 up the water by steam power, as has been proposed by 

 some engineers. Supposing a shaft of thirty feet deep 

 to be sunk, it has been calculated that this would only 

 be effectual for draining a circle of about one hundred 

 yards, the water running down an incline of about 5 to 

 1 ; for it was found in the course of draining the bog, 

 that a ditch three feet deep only served to drain a space 

 of less than five yards on either side, and two ditches of 

 this depth, ten feet apart, left a portion of the Moss 

 between them scarcely affected by the drains. 



The three resident engineers selected by Mr. Stephen4 

 son to superintend the construction of the line, were\ 

 Mr. Joseph Locke, Mr. Allcard, and Mr. John Dixon. 

 The last was appointed to that portion which included 1 ^ 

 the proposed road across the Moss, the other two being 

 by no means desirous of exchanging posts with him. 

 On Mr. Dixon' s arrival, about the month of July, 1826^ 

 Mr. Locke proceeded to show him over TKeTtelgtli 

 he was to take charge of, and to instal him in office. 

 When they reached Chat Moss, Mr. Dixon found that 

 the line had already been staked out and the levels 

 taken in detail by the aid of planks laid upon the bog. 

 The cutting of the drains along each side of the proposed 

 road had also been commenced ; but the soft pulpy stuff 

 had up to this time flowed into the drains and filled 

 them up as fast as they were cut. Proceeding across 

 the Moss, on the first day's inspection, the new resident, 

 when about half-way over, slipped off the plank on 

 which he walked, and sank to his knees in the bog. 

 Struggling only sent him the deeper, and he might 

 have disappeared altogether, but for the workmen, 

 who hastened to his assistance upon planks, and rescued 

 him from his perilous position. Much disheartened, he 



