The Sun.
London, England, 1827-11-21 00:00:00

>se--rte /12

THAMES "TUNNEI, COMPANY

• A meeting of PrOprietors of the Thames Tunnel Com-
.pany Was held yesterday, at the City of LendOn Tavern;
• WILLIAM SMITH, Esq. M.P,, in the Chair.
• The notice having been read, in purseenbe df Which the
Meeting, was convened
',The CHAIRMAN rose and said, that he regretted the ab-
sence of two very efficient Directors from the preterit
Meeting. One of 'them had lately been nominated by,his
Majesty to the command of the British fleet in the lonian
Seas. The Meeting would perceive he allUded to Sir E.
Codrington, who had recently acted with so much zeal,
fidelity, and courage, and merited the extraordinary honour
conferred upon him by his Sovereign, in approbation of
his gallant achievement. into the polities of the under-
taking to which be had taken Odcasieh to advert, it was
not their business to inquire, neither was it the businiss
of their distinguished Director to question them , lie
had a specific duty to discharge to his country, and • per.
formed it well. He (the Chairman) was concerned to men-
tion that Mr. Martin, 'the other Director to whom he had
alluded, was on the present occasion-absents on account of
a domestic affliction. At the last Meeting it had been
proposed to assemble the Proprietors again at an carry
period,. The meeting took place in the latter end of
August, and the 'Directors confidently expected to'be able
to meet the Company after the lapse of a few Weeks. It
was now three months since that expectation had been held
out; but the delay was entirely owing to.-unforeseen cir-
cumstances. The general opinion, when the Th'ames burst
into their works, was, that all was over with the under-
taking, and that it would prove impossible to expel the
water. . Ho felt happy to he able to congratulatd the meet-
ing on its cqmplete and %tip expulsion.—(Hear.)—
There was now no access of water into :the Tunnel, in con-
soquenee of the late irruption.
The Meeting would now bear the report of the engineer
--a statement of their o:penditure.-and estimates of the
supposed expence of completing the undertaking.
" The following is the Report made by the Engineer to
the Board, dated November the 17th: ' •
• : November 17, 182'7.

Gentlemen—Having, since the *aka have been re-
sumed, advanced upwards of twenty-five feet, the efficacy
of the shield is thus further incontestably proved. My re-
liance that it would enable us to make our way through
!,ny kind of ground, such at least as we were likely to
meet in the course of the present undertaking, is fully jus-
tified by the progress which hail been made during nearly
the two months immediately preceding the 18th of May,
when the Tunnel was stopped by the River filling it.
Whenevet the ground had given way before, and la in
the River, of which than had been repeated instances, it
was uniformly checked and stopped ; and after the 12th of
May, when 'the altered nature of the ground presented
greater tinenities than we had to contend' with at- any
former period, the state of the works exhibited daily im-
proVements. From that 'period, every thing seemed to
indicate that we should soon reach the good ground
which we knee; lay a short distance a head of us.
1 hese expectations, however, were frustrated. The Tun-
nel was filled with water. But if we look back to all that
bad occurred before that day, 'and has subsequently hap-
pened, we may unheeitatingly assert, that, bad as was the
ground, the River wotild'not have forced its way into the
works, but for the accidental circumstance of a tier of ves
sels having taVen'their stations directly over the shield, on
,which spot nothing of a similar kind had Occurred for many
years before: Had the•vessels been stationed over any part
of 'the brick-work, no injfity would have ensued. But a
. concurrence of unfortunate accidents operating all at once,'
proved too muds on the occasion. Whenever'the ground
had broken in before, it proceeded from its previously
loosened state, occasioned by filtrations or land springs.
In April and May, the ground was frequently so loose in
souse places, that it was impossible to prevent its penetrat-
ing into the shield. The River deposits generally followed
at the same time ; the shield was found fully adequate to
prevent the River from breaking in, even in those circum-
stances. The accident which occurred on the 18th of
May was totally different from any that.had happened be-
fore. The water rushed in at once at the back of one of
the frames in the east arch. 'How this happened I shall
now explain. The increased velocity which five er six ves-
sels, lying a-breast, must give to the current of the River,
maybe easily imagined, as well, as their effect in disturbing
and dislodging the River sediments, which had incontestably
been disturbed before, and thus opening the silty ground to
the action of the current. In confirmation of this, the ground
which must have proceeded from the general'convulsion,'
. was-- not 'found in the Tunnel. This is a conclusive
proof that a dislodgement was first formed and carried.
away, and that there did not afterwards remain over a part
of, the shield, a sufficient body, of solid ground to protect it
front the river. It is to be remarked, that the area of this
cavity Was very inconsiderable, compared with.the extent of
ground that must have been covered and affected by so many'
vessels. There must, therefore, have existed a keel cause,
which is, that this spot, like some others, has at some remote
period been dredged either for ballast, or for laying a moor-
ing stone in. All that could have been anticipated,, under
these circumstances, from the shield, was completely realized,
the men had time to retire, and not the sligghtest accident oc-
curred to any of them. After this irruption, it was found that
:the shield bad not been disturbed, and that only some of the
fresh brick work had been carried away. We had a right,
therefore, to anticipate, that we should soon expel the water
from the works. In this, however, we were disappointed ; a
second irruption, more impetuous than the first, took place a
few days after, but we were not able to ascertain its extent,
or its effects, as the .cavity had already been partly filled
up. Notwithstanding the violence of this new irruption,
the shield, through 'which a body of upwards of 10,000
cubic feet of hard ground had been driven, still maintained
a position, which afforded afterwards a substantial founda-
tion and support for the loads of hags of clay that were
thrown into the river. The shield has thus proved effec-
tive, the brickwork has also answered every expectation,
having withstood the effects of so destructive a convulsion.
The east arch, in particular, though battered at the founda-
tions, and destitute of abutment at the east side, did not
sustain the slightest injury at the crown, beyond a portion
of three rings of bricks that were washed away. The body
of the Tunnel itself, throughout the whole range of both
arches, though subjected to constantly varying degrees of
pressure, has sustained no injury whatever. It has not
settled in the least, whereas, bed the catastrophe arisen
from any part of the finished work giving way, the
consequences would have been far More serious, and all
confidence have been destroyed. The system of build-
ing the arches by a succession of rings, .has been thus
sufficiently tried to remove all doubts as to° its sound-
ness and stability. If it be considered-that the transverse
sectional surface of the structure is between 400 and 500
feet, it will be found that the cohesive power of the Roman
cement employed in the Work far exceeds any stress the
river could exert on any of the rings.' In order to over-
come so formidable an accident, it was not only necessary
that the remedy should he suitable 'and efficacious, but that
whatever was done should be done promptly, to prevent
further destruction. We could not dispose our materials
according to the method practised in building under water,'
with the diving bell, but where compelled to throw them
at all times of the tide into the unexplored chasm—a
chasm nearly thirty-five feet deep, which has absorbed about
10,000 cubic fret of earth to fill it. I shall not dwell in
this place on the dangers to Which the works of the Tunnel
continued to be exposed, when for many days and weeks
the pumps could sthircely gain upon the influx of the water ;
nor shall I particularly adVert to the personal risk incurred
in repossessing ourselves of the, shield, which was
effected as early as the latter end of June, and in clearing
it of the soil it was found embodied in. To these
must be added, 'the difficulty of righting the frames
under a bcdy of ground of so unsettled and heterogenous
a nature, with 36 feet of water occasionally upon it ; .and
the much greater difficulty of repairing five frames.
The injury these frames received has been in clear-
ing them ; the fractures were heard like shots on the
east side of the shield. For which purpose, the men
had to apply temporary shorings, bracing, and abutments
in every direction, to remove pieces of castings of great
weight and dimensions, and. substitute others. It is also
fieecessary to take into consideration the confined space in
wrsich all this was performed, as it greatly enhanced the
labour, difficulty, and danger. In these intricate andimost
laborious operations, the men were generally standing ire
water, mostly in slush, exposed at the same time to
sant runs of waters from above, with frequent irruptions of
fluid earth, caused by the ever varying pressure resulting
from the tides. So many operations of so intricate a
nature required the greatest vigilance as well as unceasing
precautions. All these circumstances, to which the mag-
nitude of the enterprise must give a peculiar character, are
fully sufficient to account for the time and the labour that
were consumed before the works could be recommenced
with safety and effect. It is with great satisfaction can
say, that we have now passed the most dangerous ground,
and got into a harder covering of clay. There is no fear
that tiers of vessels will be again moored over the shield.—
The ground in the deep part of'the river, as well as on the
opposite bank, is good for our operations, as we have ascer-
tained by our borings, and other circumstances. When I
add to these advantages the increased confidence the men
haviin the protection of the shield, I have no hesitation to
affirm, that nothing within the range of ordinary accidents
mcaenn
tof ourinterruptul
the progress j
e bobject
I shallwork,the merely or defeat
observestlsteattai

conclusion, that present appearances justify a hope, that
'we shall be soon able to resume our former average rate,
and that the work will be completed within a reasonable time.
4 I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your moat obe-
dient, hmnble servant,
(Sikneil) • 14111./NEL.I
. _ _ _

To the Directors of the Thames Tunnel Company.'
"The Directors have given much attention to the sub-
ject of an 'estimate of the future expenses, being wellavaare
of its great importance. The nature of the undertaking
renders an estimate for its completion a matter of consider-
able difficulty, because. very much depends on the rate at
which the workcan be eariittl ftitviatal. The Directors
have in their -.records the progresses of weeks differing
widely indeed in this respect. In some weeks only two or
three feet were completed, and
,iii others twelve or thirteen
!iyct. These variations itethlted frtint the variable nature of
the ground through which the excavation was continued,
and such uncertainty of progress necessarily affects the ae-
auracy of any calculation. The Directors. have Presumed
that a safe estimate may be made on the average of the
whole year, between the 18th MaYa 18,M and the 18th
\lay, 192/, in which period, notwithstanding Vei'y serious
and continued impediments the average progress was eight
feet per week. On this basis they calculate that to include
all expenses of materials, lehotir, machinery, &c. &ca the
Tunnel may be carried from the jeesent situation of the
thicld to the wharf at 'Wapping, for the sum of AWOL
beyond the intent aketilable iceetthtlt of the Company_
that from the Wharf at Wapping to the shaft, including
the expenses of such abaft, and of making the same avail-
able for foot passengers, it will require a further sum of
25,000/.-,-and that the needful purchases of premises at
Wapping, with the descents and approaches on both sides,
will require a further sum of 60,00g—maltiug, to com-
plete the Whole undertaking, so as to render the Tunnel a
convenient and proper intercourse for carriages as well as
loot passengers, as conteinplated by the Act of Parliament,
total Of 185,0001. beyond what can be raised by the
shares novv'to be depended upon.
" The Directors are of opitii6n, that should no unforeseen
accident delay the work, the sum. mentioned would be n
fair estimate lint as the rate of work was for several
months—that is to say, from January to the end of March
last—nearly 13 feet per week, and the recent borings in
the bed of the river afford a well founded assurance of good
ground to the northward, and as experience has a tendency
to lessen the current expenses of operation, the Directors
are not without strong hope that eventually a deduction
from the present estimates may reasonably be looked for,
and in these estimates the Engineer very nearly accords
with the Directors.

• " Upon the subject Of estitiutte, the Directors think it
their duty to state, that since the accident to the tnnnel
of the 18th,of May, Mr.,Brunel has voluntarily surrendered
to the Directors the right which his agreement with the
Company gave him, to be paid 10,0001. for the use of his
patent, and that he has fefeired such remuneration wholly
and solely to the Directors, when at the proper period the
subject shall he brought before them.
" They are decidedly of this opinion, because a failure
in So, doing would doubtless prevent any further expendi-
ture, while,,.on the other hand, should the Tulnel be
suc-
cessfully carried forward to the extent here prspuecd, there
would not, in the opinion of the Directors, he any longer
a difficulty in raisin What would be necessary for the com-
pletion of the undertaking.
" The Directors beg to call tic attention of. the Pro-
prietors to the Act of Corporation, by which the number
of shares authorized to be issued were 4,000, which, at
50/. per share; would be 200,000/., but of these only
3,874 'Were sillm-ribed far, which, at 50/. per share,
would amount to 193;700/. Of these latter there have
been defaulters holding 216, leaving available the number
of 3,598 shares, which, at 50/., will produce 179,9007.
Thus it will be seen that the whole capital authorised to he
• subscribed, vii. the 200,6007., is deficient by 20,100/.

"As any further subscription for shares at par cannot
be now expected, the Directors are advised that they can-
not therefore raise the deficient capital, nor can they raise
the additional capital required to complete the works with-
out the authority of Parliament, in conseqtience of which
the Directors have caused the public notices to be given as
required by the Standing Orders of both Ilouses, for an
Act to enlarge the present powers of the Act.
" The Directors do not think it irrelevant ih the pre-
cumstanccs, to advert again to the intense interest which
is taken both at home and abroad in whatever relates to
the Tunnel, and is found in every rank or society; and
foreigners as well as natives, stimulated by eager curiosity
to stle‘w the novel works, visit them in great numbers every
day ; and it is not, perhaps, too much to say, that the in-
terest is so general, that the success of the Work will be
regarded as a national benefit and honour, but its abandon-
ment, while practicable, a national misfortune and disgrace.
1 From the number of visitors who are admitted at one
shilling each, a sum 0f,1,7701. is already received,, and is
continually increasing. it is, kept hi a separate account,
and has net been blended with the account of assets read
by the Clerk. .
" It was, before the accident in May, intended by the
Directors (and their intention was made known to the Pro-
prietors) to he a fund to he divided as an interest on the in-
stalments paid, but, under present circumstances, the Pro-
prietors will consider whether it may not be proper to place
this fund at the disposal of the Directors in aid of the concern.
" After a very serious consideration of the Act of Incor-
poration granted by the. Legislature for the specific purpose
of forming and completing the projected Tunnel, the Direc-
tors feel that there is enjoined on them a duty to do all which
by that Act they are empowered to do, to follow up the in-
tention of the Legislature to obtain the benefit thereby pro-
posed for the public. They conceive, therefore, that the un-
dertaking cannot he abandoned without some insuperable
impediment. At present they are not aware of any impe-
diment, except the state of the finances, for they feel no hesi-
tation in assuring the Proprietors of their full conviction
that the Tunnel may be completed, and they conceive they
are justified in stating such conviction by the very effective
manner in which the late accident has been overcome.

The balance sheet of the Company up ,to ,the 99th of
September. was then read. It appeared from it, that the
gross income amounted to 148,714/. 19s. 3d. and the ex-
penditure to 145,7341. 18s. I. The following is an

ESTIIIATE OF DEBTS AND FUTURE RESOURCES OF THE

CQMFANY ON THE 19TH NOVEMBER, 1827.

To various persons for materials and machinery
supplied, including the current outstanding bills,
per estimate £4,790
To amount of premises nut yet paid for
To amount due to Mr. John Grice, per award of

arbitration, for damage done to his premises 490
Balance available for future proceedings 27,107

£33,-312

Cr.
By balance at the hankers £6,440
By unpaid calls,. which are considered good :
Ninth call . .E. 5,900
Eighth ditto
• Former ditto 2,800-10,480
By proprietors, for call not yet made, 41. per
share, upon 3,598 shams 14,892
By balance of bricks on hand

£33,312

The first was to the effect that the report be received, ' i tenitilee dthtloA be Re
mpAril said
opo/ledlie shouldtotle now re
meetingad the
for theirr easdolo putt nn
print-
ed,s
and circulated among the Proprietors. The next au-
thorised the Directors to apply to Parliament for a new bill,
enabling them to raise a further sum of money to complete
the undertaking. The third Was one enabling the Direc-
tors to proceed with the works, and to obtain such pecu-
niary assistance as might be necessary to carry them on till
the Act bf Parliament could be procured. By these resolu-
'dons, the Chairman observed it was not intended to com-
pel the present subscribers to advance a single shilling be-
yond the amount for which they were at 'present respon-
sible. It was fowid necessary to go to Parliament for a
new bill, to extend the power the Company possessed tin-
der the original Act, which enabled them to raise 200,000/.
by the sale of shares, and 50,000/. on mortgage. These
' sums being insufficient to complete the undertaking, fresh
application must be made to the Legislature for liberty to
raise a further sum. But, he repeated, no demand would
be made on the present shareholders beyond their existing
,Aabilities. The 3d resolution went merely to enable the
Directors to borrow on the property of the Company such
sums as might be necessary to carry on the works till another
Act of Parliament could be obtained. On the part of the
Directors, he would say, that if this power was granted
them, they would nee it as moderately as possible,
A Proprietor believed Mr. Brunel had received a. salary
'if 1,000/. a-year; for the last three years, and wished to
know whether, in order to continue that salary, it was ne-.
cessary that the Proprietors should pass a resolution to
that effect?
The Crialaseast said, the agreement with Mr. Brunel
soonth as
athethsheou should
Tunnel be pwaiasd
1. '1,0001.,
ers could make use of it, he way to receive 5,0001., and
when the. work was fully accomplished, the Company
ompl ted a, year for three years.
•
so that foot passen-
:.:greed to pay him 5;0001. more—he .haring valued his
patent at 10,0001. Since the accident of the 18th of May
Mr. Brunel had relinguished his claim of 10,000/. on the
Company, leaving it entirely to the Directors to determine
whet ghoul,' oe his rerrnmeration..—(ll€o, hear.) 'Under

these eirctienitances, the Directors t!etermined upon allow-
ing the enginect, I,oooi. a year, toe a year and a half More',
the time they sidered. it might take to.perfect the under-
taking.—(Hear.) As to the fln'sl reniuneration of Mr.
Brunel, it had been left to the Directors, who, however,
would not act in a matter of such importance without con-
suiting the Proprietors.
A Proptietot inquired whether, in the event of the Di-
rectors raising money before the passing of the new Bill,
the Proprietors would be responsible for it, in addition to
their present liabilities ? •
The CHAIRMAN said, the question was an extremely
proper one. It was not meant to do any thing which
heyond the amount of his actual subscription.
would render any Proprietor responsible for one shilling
The Ist resolution was then put, and unanimously
agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN should now proceed to put the second
resolution. _ _

It was put, and agreed to unanimously.
The Third Resolution having been read from the Chair,
it was agreed to, like the preceding ones, without opposition.
It was ordered that the admission money received from
the visitors to the Tunnel, be placed at the disposal a the
Directors.
Thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the Meeting,
which was very numerously attended, adjourned.