The Sun.
London, England, 1838-07-26 00:00:00

SUN

A PLAN FOR COMPLE
THAMES TUNNELL, WITH LIT
THE LIVES OF THE WORKMEN,
LEAST POSSIBLE EXPENSE.-B
SEAMAN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sta,—Experience roust by this time have convinced those engaged la
this great National undertaking, that any shield or underground contd.
vance to keep out the water and secure the workman is impracticable;
and that, if done at all, it must be by cutting off the communication be-
tween the water and the bed of the river.
The plan I have to propose for effecting this is at She same time
:Ample and cheap. It is, to use a term familiar to seamen, i ()fodder the
bed of the river immediately over the part where the workmen arc em.
ployed. For this purpose, a sail of suitable dimensions, made cf two or
three thickncssss of canvas, No. 1, is to be placed directly over (and ex.
tending two or three yards beyond) the part excavating. Instead of
securing the edges by a bolt rope, a chain of moderate weight is to be
used. This sail must be securely fixed and kept in its place at the bot-
tom of the river by four small anchors or grapnels, one at each corner
or clue of the sail. It will be evident, at least to every seaman, that
leakage from above would draw or press the sail more firmly to the but.
tom of the river, and thus oppose an effectual barrier to the entrance of
water at the top of the Tunnel. The entrance of water under the sides
of the sail, a danger not much to be dreaded, would be prevented by the
1 chain keeping the sides close down to the bottom. Thus, Sir, small leaks
or fissures, instead of becoming larger and larger (as has been, I appee-
bend, hitherto the case), from continued filtration of water, by down_
ward pressure upon the canvas would soon cease, from the supply of
water being cut off. The canvas would be found (I think) fu!ry sugi_
cient, not only to support the superincumbent column of water, even at
the highest sprjng.tides ; but, without either tarring or painting, to pre-
vent its percolation, except in very small quantities—quantities so small
as not tO occasion any danger. A sudden rush of water into the Tunnel,
I should apprehend, could not take place.
Had this plan been adopted, I think I risk little in saying that this
great National work would long ago have been completed, and some bun-
dreds of thousands of 11/O4e). saved to the subscribers.
I write under the impressio,l that thebottom of the pool is of a firm
tenacious clay ; if otherwise, if Kf a pervious nature, a cofft e.ciam, or a
substitute for one will be found neer..'savY• Should the Committee for
managing the work wish it, I shall have great pleasure in laying
before them a cheap substitute. The plan Proposed for foddering the
bed of the river by clay I think liable to many ,objections.

I remain, Sir, your obea:ent servant,
Ilarrowgate, July 23, 1638. •

T. T.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

CIig.LTENHAN AND COTSWOLD RACES,

TUESDAY.
Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each,. h. ft. ; for colts, Bst. 71b ; and
and geldings, Bst. alb, the produce of mares covered in 1834 ;
those by untried stallions, or out of mares which never bred a
winner, allowed albs, if botL., blbs ; the winner of the Bath
Produce in the same year, Nib. extra. One mile and a quarter.
3 Subs.
Mr. Bristow's Balloon, 31bs
The Gloucestershire Stakes of 25 sovs. eac.:(l, 15 ft , and only 5 if
declared ; the second horse to save his stake,. About two miles.
65 Subs., 44 of whom decla..3.
Mr. Elwes na. Barnacles, 5 yrs, 6st. I 1 lb ChaPPle 1
Mr. Fairlie's Zohrab, aged, Bst. 21b
Captain Gardnor's Toothill, 5 yrs, ist. 101 b
Mr. Griffith na. Lugvvardine, 4 vrs, 6st. 71b •• 4
Even on Toothill, 7 to 4 agst Zohrab, 4 to 1 ag:t Bari.s4eles, and
10 to 1 agst Lugwardine. Won by a head.
The Cheltenham Stakes of 5 sovs. each, and 20 added fro.o the
Fund, for any horse. Heats, two miles. Gentlemen riders.
Subscribers,
_ _

Mr. Craven's Doncaster, 4 yrs, llst. 121b...Mr. Beecher 2 1 1
Mr. Stevens's Talebearer, 4 yrs, lOst. 41b
First heat won by a neck, the second by a head.
The Southam Stakes of 5 sovs. each, and SO added from the Fund,
for any horse that never won 1001. at any time before the day of
naming ; three yrs, 7st ; four, Bst. 71b ; five, 9st. 51b ; six, 9st.
121 b ; aged, lOst. Mares and geldings alloved 31b. The win-
ner of 1001. at any onetime previous to the day of starting, bibs.
extra. Two miles. 6 Subs.
Mr. Stevens's Gimcrack, 3 yrs
Mr. Craven's Brockhampton, 3 yrs . . ..... 2
3to 1 agst Gimcrack. Wcn by a length.

GUILDFORD RACES, TUESDAY.
Her Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas; three yrs old, 7st. 51b
four yrs, 9st. llb ; five yrs, 9st. 111 b ; six yrs and aged, lOst. 21b.
Two mile heats. Was won in three heats by Lord G. Bentinck's
ch. c. Mulberry Wine, 3 yrs (Wm. Day), beating Mr. V. King's
br. h. Ruby, 4 yrs (who won the first heat), and eight others
started.

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