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Rail to the Rescue - Part 1

© John Barham

The railway would be double track from Balaklava up to a depot on the Heights in the vicinity of the Commissariat headquarters, with single track branches thereafter as far as the Worontzov Road. The total track length they calculated at fifteen and a half miles. This equated to some formidable material requirements. Betts calculated they would need 1800 tons of Great Western Railway gauge rail and fastenings. Gauges at the time were not standardised, and the planners considered the GWR the most suitable for the uneven terrain. Other materials included 6000 sleepers, 600 loads of timber, 3000 tons of plant and material, winding engines, cranes, wagons, pile drivers and myriad specialist tools.

As often in business plans, the manpower requirement proved a contentious issue, being every accountant's target for containing costs. Betts wanted to limit the workforce to 300, to restrict not only costs but also the chances of trouble. Beatty found the figure unworkable, particularly as he intended to operate a nightshift and he would have no available replacements in the event of sickness or injury. They finally agreed to a figure of 565, composed as follows:

350 navvies, platelayers and miners
20 gangers (rail gang leaders)
20 rough masons or bricklayers
100 carpenters and 3 foremen
30 well sinkers
28 blacksmiths and 2 foremen
12 engine drivers and fitters

The total staff requirement, including 3 assistant engineers, came to 26. All personnel required huts, and the workforce would need a complete kit and clothing scale plus tools.

The initial requirement for dray horses was fixed at 35, together with fodder, harness and tackle, and portable stabling.

To transport the entire project requirements to the Crimea, an estimated 23 ships would need to be chartered or purchased.

The detailed cost estimates came out at £80,000 for shipping, £45,000 for plant, £55,000 for freightage, £5000 for horses and their ancillaries. The workforce pay would be five to eight shillings a day all found including tobacco allowance. Staff pay varied from between £150 for six months for timekeepers to £500 for Assistant Engineers and £1500 for Beatty.

By late Monday afternoon, satisfied that they had given the planning process their very best shot, Betts and Beatty handed their pile of foolscap sheets to Deacon the clerk for fair copying. The rest of the week would see their efforts subject to the severest scrutiny; first by Peto and Brassey the following morning, next by the Duke of Newcastle and finally the Prime Minister. Fingers, no doubt, were firmly crossed.