316 



THE KILSBY TUNNEL. 



CHAP. XV. 



LINE OF THE SHAFTS OVER KILSBY TUNNEL. [By Fercival Skelton.j 



tunnel were proceeding, when the roof at one part 

 suddenly gave way, a deluge of water burst in, and the 

 party of workmen with the utmost difficulty escaped 

 with their lives. They were only saved by means of a 

 raft, on which they were towed by one of the engineers 

 swimming with the rope in his mouth to the lower end 

 of the shaft, out of which they were safely lifted to the 

 daylight. The works were of course at that point 

 immediately stopped. The contractor, who had under- 

 taken the construction of the tunnel, was so overwhelmed 

 by the calamity, that, though he was relieved by the 

 Company from his engagement, he took to his bed and 

 shortly after died. Pumping-engines were then erected 

 for the purpose of draining off the water, but for a long 

 time it prevailed, and sometimes even rose in the shaft. 

 The question arose, whether in the face of so formidable 

 a difficulty, the works should be proceeded with or 

 abandoned. Robert Stephenson sent over to Alton 



