A method of shaft sinking by freezing wet ground in sections as the sinking proceeds. The permanent lining is also inserted as the shaft is sunk. The freezing equipment is a cylinder equal in diameter to the shaft and 44 in. (1.12 m) in height, with the lower end closed by a plate. The cylinder is in sections, each of which can be removed. Each section is provided with freezing coils. After freezing the ground, two sections are removed, the ground is thawed locally and removed, and a segment of the permanent lining is inserted. The process is repeated.