They began work on the approaches to the tunnel in February of 1886. Drillers began boring through the rock on the east side with hand drills. Other men diverted a waterfall. Some crews erected barracks, a hospital, supply buildings, and the engineers' headquarters. Drilling averaged three and a half feet per day.
Many men quit at the hard work.
After four months the Bennetts bought a complete set of Ingersoll air operated drills in Tacoma. Production doubled right away. Then electric lighting was placed in the tunnel. Finally they were really making progress. They started using a platform car to haul out the blasted rocks.