The Sun.
London, England, 1842-08-03 00:00:00

THE THAMES TUNNEL.

This undertaking was opened on Monday for the first
time on the Napping side of the river, and upwards of
500 visitors of all nations passed through the tunnel as
far as the shaft on the Rotherhithe shore. The High-
street, Wapping, was thronged with people, who were
allowed to view the shafts and the double staircase for
foot passengers. The shaft is about 90 feet in height,
and is surmounted with a handsome dome, which is
glazed, and light and air admitted. There are two stair-
cases, one terminating close to the 'Western arch, and
' the other leading to the Eastern arch. The Western
arch only is opened for visitors ; but the Eastern one
appears likely to be appropriated to the same purpose in
ei few weeks, and a great number or workmen are now
actively employed in preparing it for the reception of the
public. The descent to the tunnel is now easy and con-
venient, and the Western arch is very dry and com-
fortable. At midday there were upwards of 100 visitors
promenading in the tunnel, and upon an inspection of
the visitors' book, the names and residences of
more than 30 Americans from different parts of
the United States were found to be entered, toge-
ther with those of parsons from all parts of Europe,
and many from Asia. One-half of the visitors yester-
day were foreigners. The erection of the circular
staircases in the shaft on the Surrey side, now closed to
the public, will be commenced forthwith by the con-
tractors, Messrs. Peto and Grissell, who have completed
the staircase on the 'Middlesex shore. The time allowed
for the performance of the contract is three months, when
the tunnel will be opened as a thoroughfare for foot-
passengers ; and the toll to be charged is, we understand,
to be Id. each person. Some time, however, must
elapse before the circular staircases and inclined planes
for horses, cattle, and vehicles can be formed ; but the
plans are already framed, and the works will be con-
ducted with all possible expedition. Several visitors
were permitted to pass from one shore to the other on
Monday, and Mr. lage, the superintendent of the works,
became the cicerone to a large party of ladies and gen-
tleinen invited by the directors to pass from Rotherhithe
to Wapping and vice versa through the subaqueous pas-
sage. The engine and pumps are constantly at work in
the Rotherhithe shaft, to clear the tunnel of the accumu-
lation of water caused by the land syrings. There is a
culvert under the Western arch, into which the waters
are collected and pumped out, which keeps that side of
the tunnel always dry, and as a current of air now passes
through the excavation the plaea is rendered comfort-
able, and by the aid of the gas lights, which are always
burning, the temperature of the atmosphere is nearly the
same as it is on shore. The hopes of the tavern keepers
on the Middlesex shore have risen in proportion as those
of their brethren on the Surrey side have declined by the
change in the visitors' entrance.

Upwards of 400 vensels have arrived at the port of
Falmouth since the commencement of tho present year
for orders, independent of those which have discharged
at the port, and a great number which have received
orders outside the harbour and proceeded without coming
vonp or t Chronicle: