Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-07-11

extremity OF tue excavation observed U.a leakage 10
increase rapidly, and In few moments afterwards
portion of the earth gave way and the rushed
down IN torrent The worErnen fed towards the
shait In the greatest terror, and uttered loud cries
OF Alarm while the water rushed after them with great
rapidity They assembled the ladder FIVE time, and
succeeded IN reaching the top in safety, all but one
individual who was missing for a few minutes Ila
was soon, however, observed to be struggling, in the
water IN the shaft, where il had by this time risen to
considerable height Mr. BRUNEI, Jun Immediately
descended TO his aid, and succeeded in rescuinc hun
from his perilous situation, the moment that his
strength was exhausted. From calculations made by
the engineer from the progress of the wafer in the shaft
is supposed that cubica foot Of the earth under the
river must have fallen into the tunnel, where il had
been recently eXcarated, and before the BRICK work
had been raised TO support it. Il is attributed to what
miners call ga faut' in the soii-that is the meeting
of the two layers of earth where the water has always
the least difficulty in nsuuang itself The engineer
does not state his apprehension of any considerable
obstruction arising from this accident 10 tire progress
OF the work. He expects 10 have the water Ill pump
ed out IN week or two, and be then able resume
his operations. The greatest difficulty with which he
will have TO contend will he, tho dread which this alarm
will have left in the minds of the workmen.
AS is generally the case such occasions, the ac-
counts which circulated in the eighbourhood were
full of exaggeraton. Ii is matter of congratulaton
that when the lives Of many ndivd uals we're sudden
~ placed IN such imminent jeopardy, none were lost
besdes the workrnen, there were two three visitors
g,
in their retreat ware actually washed by the water
and one OF the excaTators, il said obliged to dive
under the steam engine 10 reach the stairs. When the
accident first occurred, the secretary, believing that
the works had given way, and that all WAS lost sent
communications TO that effect each of the directors
and was thus ancillary towards exciting that alarm
which he subsequently discovered 10 be his and his
employers interest to check
The following letter appeared in the papers of yes
terday:---
TO The Edi'or.--Sr: feel it a duty incumbent on
me, to make known TO The public an accident which
occurred this evening to the Tunnel b. the water from
the river overPowerDg the eXertons which at the time
could be opposed TO il. Although this circumstance
will reterd our progress, am confident the accident
will soon be overcome, and the works resumed / am,
sir, yon obedieat servant NJ. =. BRUNEI.
go, Bride street, Biackfriars, May IS.
Since writing the above, we have heard that Mr.
Brunei and Mr. Gravel, have descended in the diving
bc and that their report is of the most favorable ma
ture The water has been cleared ten feet and the
leak stopped. We hope, therefore, this bold and in
gehious undertaking may yet be successful
The following is copy of the Report made TO the
Directors, at board held yesterday
Gentiemen,-lt viii be in the recollection of the
Directors, that for time past the nature of the
ground through which the Tunnel was passing has
been such to occasion much delay IN The woti ks moi
unattended with danger, if such term NAV be ap,
Pied, to casualty always contemplated BY mo as pos
sibc The Directors therefore will rot be surprised
particularly alter my last report, ct the occurrence of
accident which took place last evening at near high
water when the pressure the shield was nearly at
It's height. The body uf the Tunnel is al present filled
with water, but quite satisfied that the whole of
the brick work of the Tunnel sound and uninared
ana that the injury confined to small spot over the
top OF the shield, in the frames of which the oknen
Tor their protection carry on the excavation
cit is extremely gratifying me to report that the
workinen retired gradually without confusion and Mr.
Beaish of my assistant engineers was the last TO
quit the shield, Which has thus-been proved 10 be an
eiiectual safeguard against any sudden disaster
=! have adopted means to remedy this evil and remove
the water, and feel confident that the work will in a
short time be resumed and proceed as usual.
81 have the honor TO be, gentlemen your most ot,e
dent, humble servant, III. J. BRUNEL.u
-aee-
We have received our file of Vera Cruz paDers IN
the 22d May, and eur correspondent writes to this
effect:
s'Commodore PoRvER has arrived from Kew West
very unexpectedly but opporuneIy, as the officers in
Vera Cruz threw every obstacle in the way 10 prevent
the supplies from sailing which the Commodore had been
expecting for long time. Two or three fellows have
command of the vesseIs-they the most notorious
towards in Chrisendom and by making thousand ex-
cuses and apologies they delayed so long that Com
modore p left his Frgate in Key West the BI ayo out
on cruize, and came here in a small sloop-be was
here but short time, only day, when he lad the
vessels ready for sea: this dofe like magic He
has made q complete revolution in aiTars-he arres.
ted Capt. hlachin of the brig Victoria suspect for
cowardce disobediance of orders caused by fears
which Nlachin entertained for Piivateer, which is
cruising OFF CampeaChy, and has made six or seven
captures.
''The government has complmented Commodore
Porter very highly and is well satisfied with his con,
duct"-GaS.
V7z gzra~r