The Sun.
London, England, 1827-05-19 00:00:00

TURTHIM PARTICULARS.

This Day, half-past 12 o'Clotk.
The exertions to remedy the accident which occurred at
this work last evening have continued unabating, but as
yet, we are sorry to say, without success. The alarm has
a good deal subsided, it being ascertained most satisfac-
torily, that there has been neither loss of life or limb. The
crowds, however, still congregated, and manifested the
greatest anxiety to arrive at some certain information of the
probability of the fissure being discovered, and its being so
secured as to admit of the certainty of such a drainage as
would allow the workmen to resume their labours. The
influx of the water still continues as great as ever, and
notwithstanding the powerful engines being brought to
their utmost range, the body of water has not been even
perceptibly reduced. The rapidity with which the inun-
dation took place, and the almost miraeulcus escape of the
miners, may be judged of by the fact that the shaft
throughout was completely filled in twelve minutes.
Where the fissure occurred is not quite two eirds across
the river, which at this particular spot is at I.alf-tkle about
five fathoms in depth. Mr. Brunel, Mr. Gravet, and se- .
veral of the Directors were on the spa at an early hour
this morning, and were most anxiously unrelaxing in their
exertions throughout the forenoon. The diving-bell was
brought down and the two former gentlemen were prepa-
ring to descend in it at low water, and take a were
survey of the soil where the aperture is thought to have
taken place.
A similar ascident, we understood, from Mr. Brunel,
sen., took place some time since, and was cousplettly
obviated. The same means then pursued, are those which
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it is now intended to adopt; these, as we learn, are to
make no attempt on the inside, but to proceed to apply the
remedy on the exterior. It is, we understand, the inten-
tion, when the opening is positively ascertained, to cover
the spot with a strong adhesive blue clay, of which several
barges were in readiness. This is thought the more ne-
cessary, as the soil through which the excavators have bean
penetrating for the last few days, was of a light porous na-
ture, which perhaps is to be accounted for by its be;ng that
immediately forming the stratum directly underneath that
part of the Thames where the stream at all times is moat deep
and rapid, and consequently most acted on by the, water.
No want of precaution or care, it is but justice to the in-
genious engineer to say, has been manifested on, his part,
for about three weeks since some shells and fragments of
bottles falling into the shaft, he, accompanied by another
gentleman, descended in the diving bell, and made a most
careful inspection of the bed of the river, the appearance of
which was then so satisfactory, that no possible danger was
apprehended. The expectations entertained of accomplish-
ing, notwithstanding the great and manifold difficulties it
had and has to contend with, this wonderful national and
most enterprising undertaking, by those who ought to be
best informed on the subject, continue most sanguine ; and
though the present impediment may appear somewhat
insurmountable, hopes of ultimate success are by no meaur
abandoned. Much is expected from Mr. Brunel, and we
fear not, that from what he has already achieved, that
he will realize all the anticipations formed in his favour.
The consternation among the labourers and others con-
nected with the progress of the work is of a most distress-
ing description, for should it be found impracticable to
carry on the undertaking, at the very least between 300
and 400 persons will be temporarily thrown out of em-
ployment.
Since writing the above, we have beard that Mr. Brunel
and Mr. Gravet have descended in the diving-bell, and
we are happy to announce that their report is of the most
favourable nature. The fears and apprehensions have
dimished, and a proportionate degree of hilarity, arising
from hope renewed, prevailed among the numerous body
whose interests were mosteeriously involved.
ANOTHER. Accouxx.—The report in the City is, that
the water in the Thames Tunnel has been reduced to ten
feet.