Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-08-09
Blue RIDGE Tunnel.

| Col Croret therounto provoked by newspaper com
plants Of the slow progress Of the tunnel has written
Stanton paper explaining the difficulties he has had tc
encounter. We mako extract from his letter:
lis unfortunate grant, that everything cOnspies
make the progress slower than dcsirable but Il
would be just think. that those who feel disposed
doubt whether the work prosecuted with all practicable
vgor aud energy, should possess themselves of the facts
of the case, before passing sentence
To set the matter in a proper light dear sir in-
dulge me in a simple calculation which will correct what
you will excuse nue. TO call errCr you well other
seem TO have fallen into.
You establish proportion between the length of some
Tunnels and this and draw therefrom the conclusion
that our Tunnel ought to be flashed, &C." Let
take the example Of what designate the greatest
feat" the completion of the Nerthc Tunnel In France
within five years 1888 feet in length 90 e by - Ia
feet worked from "a shafts, OF an average depth Of some
hundred feet.
In the first place. le, establish our platform: de
card the consideration of size because the number of
employed being in proportion, the progress not material
~ influenced thereby.
Again, YOU speak Of % shafts OF an average depth
OF some hundred feet Arcrage il not proper cacua-
ton In this case; IL is the longest shaft which regulates
the time and besides the digging does progress in d
rect proportion to DEPTH but becomes evidently much
slower in proportion that Increases especially II much
water and foul air are encountered nothing Of pow
der smoke, which must be expelled The deepest SHAFT
shafts, seem TO have been about 600 feet deep.
Now twenty four shafts would divide the Tunnel in eS
sections averaging in round numbers Goa feet observe
that the distance between the shafts Is not arbitrary
should be according TO their different depths such that
the drifts may meet at the time. But for the pur-
pose oi Illustration, the drerJgs will do.
would say surprising that the Tunnel
not completed sooner for from shai 20 shaft there was
only 500 feet to for meeting which, r the rock
favorable might be done in year. The presump.
ton therefore, il that the sinking OF the shafts occupied
four years.
Our Tunnel is zoo feet below the top of the mountain
the face OF which slopes at the OF so that up
20 the brow of HILL shaft could precede the drift from
the ends On the top two shafts might have been made
and their most eligible position would have been $50 feet
apart But how long would they have required through
trap rock and with much encounter which
would have had TO be pumped up from great depth
thought think still, and hope every sensible man
will think, that the trial would have been rather haz.
arous aud expensive one-what would be said if shss
were now progressing at great cost, with a prospect
OF being finished in time for the hor zontl drift TO reach
them. ii not later.
Whatever the length of Tunnel may be- the time of
completion will depend mainly, you See on the depth
OF shafts and when 1t appears that these will take about
As long the horizontal excavation every body must adj
nit that it absurd sink them--so thought the
time of completion expected by me to be about five
wears with without shafts. 1t may take more may
take less In December, our progress les feet be
cause the rock was favorable last month it was harder
than before, and did not reach 50 feet i'm IN,
month. Now We have reached favorable ven and tx.
pect better result month All can da is to invite
people to patience and assure them that anxiety IS at
least great theirs and that means has been is or
will be, neglected to carry :he work forward This Is well
known TO res idcnts along the work