now was that the whole tower with the spire was rapidly settling on
its base. Every method that could be used was tried in order to save
the piers. They were propped up with shores, and the arches held up
with centres, while new masonry was bonded into the older work. But
the labour availed nothing, for towards the end of the year 1860
matters had developed seriously.

"Old fissures extended themselves into the fresh masonry,
and new ones made their appearance.... But in the next
place, the walling began to bulge towards the end of January
1861, first in the north-west pier, and afterwards in the
south. Cracks and fissures, some opening and others closing,
and the gradual deformation of the arches in the transept
walls and elsewhere, indicated that fearful movements were
taking place throughout the parts of the wall connected with
the western piers."

On Sunday, February 17th,

"the afternoon service was performed in the nave of the
cathedral, as usual, but ... was interrupted by the urgent
necessity for shoring up a part of the facing of the
south-west pier.... On Wednesday, crushed mortar began to
pour from the old fissures, flakes of the facing stone fell,
and the braces began to bend. Yet the workmen continued to
add shoring until three hours and a half past midnight."

Next day the effort was resumed before daybreak; but by noon

"the continual failing of the shores showed, too plainly,