Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-06-20
MISCELLANY Y.
The Great Railway Tunnel
through the Alps.

To complete the direct line of railway
communication between Boulogne and Ven
ice and Anacona, and conseque ntIy between
London and the Adriatic, says the London
Times, one only obstacles lies in the way
The chain of Mont Cents and Mont Geneyre,
running nearly northeast and southwest,
would cross such a line, ard present, with
their elevation of III 900, an insurmountable
bar to any direct and continuous railway.
From London, as far as Chambery, by the
Lyons railroad, all is smooth enough ; nay
that rail can and will, and indeed is now
about 10, push further, ascending 10 Mont
Meiland. and St. Maurienne, (names well
known TO old post travellers, who directed
their steps along the valley of the Arc, to-
wards Lanslebourg,) and by an ullcrior effort
ii will yet reach higher, rs far as Modane al
the foot of the northern crest OF the GraIan
and Coltian Alps. But once there, all fur
ther progress is arrested, and no train can
hope to reach the Italian side to Susa and
Turin, and thence to the eastern coast OF the
peninsula, unless a subterranean wayfare be
pierced through the snow capped barrier.
What magnificent problem is here pre-
senled TO the inventive genius OF the age =
What splendid results 10 be attained by IFS
successful solution Such a problem has
been actually under the consideration OF the
Sandman government since August lo45.-
Its solution is no lOngera matter OF doubt
The possibility of the boring through the
heart of Mont Genevre. and of linking Cham
berry with Susa north and south of that range
is demonstrated truth. The great tunnel
OF the Alps is about 10 become a reality, un-
der the auspices of Victor Emanuel and the
Piedmoutese Parliament.
The author of this gigantic scheme is the
Chevalier Henry Maus, Honorary Inspector
of the Gene Girl, the same who designed
and executed the great works on the Leige
Railroad After FIVE years ofincessant study
on this question, and many practical expert
ments aud calculations, including the inven-
ZION of new machinery for boring the noun.
tain, this officer made his hnal report TO the
government OH the Slh OF February, 1S49.
A commission was ihereupon named, on
the 18th of July, lS49, consisting of several
distinguished civil engneers,artllery Officers S
senators and members OF the government
and professor OF geology, 10 examine and
give their opinion on the nature and feast.
biliv of Chevalier Maus' project. That
commission, on the LIST OF November last
being then under the presidency Of the Min.
ister Of Public Works, the Chevaiier Pleoca-
pa, decided unanimously and in favor Of the
project. Their report, together with that ol
Chevelier Maus, has recently been printed ioI
nriyare distribution, by order of the Sardin-
ian government, Illustrated by maps and
plans, and all the various calculations no.
only of expense, but Of the mechanical diff
culiies, also, which this great aud striking
object presents.
An application for a part Of the funds re,
auired to begin the great work tunnel vii
be made at the chambers forthwith, and til,
work. which i, is expected will occupy five
wears, will cost 14,O00,0O0f; while the entire
railroad Of the Alps. connecting the tunne
with the Chambery railway, on the one side
and with that of the Susa on the other side
lin length together 1866 metres. or 20
English miles,) will cost q ,OOo, ,00oc more
forming a total expense of 35 ,O00, ,000f.
The great tunnel itself will measure I2,
2eO meteres, or nearly seven Englist, mile
| in length its greatest height will be 10 fee'