The Sun.
London, England, 1827-07-30 00:00:00

TUNNEL UNDER THE THAMES.

As our previous accounts have faithfully detailed,
it has never been the intention of the projector of
this undertaking to remove the water which has re-
cently been permitted to remain in the tunnel since
the late irruption, until his arrangements were car-
ried beyond the possibility of doubt. Strong pre-
cautionary measures have been adopted, both on the
part of the engineer and his son ; and they have now
arrived at a successful issue. The water has been
completely drawn out, with the exception of that
portion of it in the immediate neighbourhood of the
shield.

The apprehension which exists as to the ultimate
success of the undertaking has deterred many per-
sons from visiting it ; whilst, on the other hand,
those who have seen it, generally speaking, felt a
gratification in the exhibition.
After descending the shaft, which is effected with
great facility, by means of a spiral staircase, the
mouth of the tunnel is met with. This passage,
from shore to shore, consists of two contiguous
arched roadways, separated by a middle pier of
brick-work ; the west arch forming a communication
from south to north, and the eastern archway from
north to south. The size of each archway is 13 feet
6 inches wide, and 16 feet 8 inches high. The
whole fabric is built of the best hard bricks, assisted
by Roman cement of a superior quality, mixed with
an equal quantity of sand, which sets with remark-
able quickness. The strength of the walls and arches
have been calculated by several eminent engineers
and mathematicians, and are found to exceed the
maximum. of power required for the support of the
superincumbent weight.
The method of building the brick-work is ex-
tremely curious. By means of what is termed " over-
hanging," several bricklayers are enabled to work
above each other at the same time. An inverted
arch, two feet three inches thick, is turned under on
each archway, and supports the external wall, anti
half the middle wall, on either side. The external
walls are battered, or sloped inwards, in order the
more effectually to resist the pressure of the earth.
Openings, six feet wide, and arched at the top, are
cat in the middle wall, at a distance of 12 feet from
each other, thus forming a communication between
the two arches, for the accommodation of the pass-
ing pedestrian. In each of these openings, a brilliant
gas lamp is suspended, the gas supplying which is
manufactured on the premises.
The road-way of the Tunnel descends three feet
in 100, to the extent of about 400 feet from the
base of the Shaft, and it then proceeds on a level,
until it reaches the same distance from the north
shore. It is the intention to have the road Mac-
adamized, and the pathways will be paved with three-
inch Yorkshire flag, edged with granite curb. In-
deed, at the present moment, the western archway,
which is now cleansed, or partially so, and hitherto
appropriated to the reception of visiters, is already
arranged in this manner.
If the exertions of the engineer and his assistants
continue favourable, the, public will be enabled to
visit the undertaking as formerly, in the course of a
very few days. It is at present open to public in-
spection, and on Friday last an immense concourse
of fashionable parties were on the works.