New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-09-21
THE DEEPEST WELL IN THE WORLD.
Fsom III. S. Loui, Dsnoerot.

HON Ihs ~ Louu DeNccT0f
We were fortunate enough to direct steps to-
ward Belcher's immense Sugar Refinery on Saturday
last for the purpose of making some observations OF
ihe great aressn well. which is nov being bored at
that place. Fortunate, We say, for we never spent
an hour more 10 our interest and profit than the one
EMPLOYED in witnessing the operation OF the digging,
and in learning the history and progress OF the
work.
This well was commenced about SIX yesis ago by
Mr. Belcher his object being to secure for the pur-
poses of his large refinery supply OF pure water
For six months the operations were continued by
hand and reached depth OF some tSo hundred feet
below the surface, when il was found necessary 10
em,loy tbd agency OF steam with suitable machinery
Since the application Of steam the work has pro-
crossed q ady snd pcrseyeriDgly until The present
tine when the incredible depth OF ticehiy-tn0 nun
Srfd tef has been reached. This is said to be the
d,eptst urtesian well in the world. One Of the mos.
importan, that we remember OF, Is that Of Gren
lie near Paris, in which operations were continued
for eight Yeas and which was sunk 10 q depth Of
aink ia klAdrd and SiItg.ORe feet below the ground
And we believe there is another some where in France
which numbers about twenty. one hundred and fifty
feet bat none have yet reached the distance IN the
bowels Of the earth that this OF Mr.. Belchers has.
We do not know that this wonderful enterprise was
commenced with any anticipation that so much time
and eXueIse would he consumed in its completion;
nor are We advised that il was originally proposed
upon any geological theory leading to the belief that
the stream Of water desired would be found at any par
tcular depth between any supposed strata OF rocks
energy and persistence Of labor reflects tho highest
credit upo him for whose benefit il s designed. Sue
cess in the boring of artesian wells must always b9 OF
a mathematical kind-even where there is the most
accurate knowledge of the geological character Of
the region of country in which the enterprise may
be undertaken, for however oerts.n theory may be
regarded, there are yet certain unknown conditions N
the formation Of the different underground strata
which nay render success impossible.
IL the present instance the moot formidable impedi
menta have met the operation. From the surface to
the EXTREMIST depth the drill has met with constant
,uccesaon Of the most stubborn rocky formations,
with the single exception however. OF strata OF soft
Ylste stone about 100 feet in width, az depth Of
about coo feet below the surface. The las; forma-
tion penetrated by the drill ia yellow sandstone.
What further conditions or impediments ara vet 10
be encountered we are not enough OF geologist TO
theorize UPON vet whatever they may be, the steady
perseverance, in the work for period Of six years
would seem 10 warrant the belief that the enterprise
will not be abandoned unit absolute impossbIi'y
meets It's operations.
The work frat begun with hands carried on By
means OF a spring pole, with the drilling rods and
the drll attached 10 ore end, and working up and
down.
since the application of steam engine OF about
,usptv-fve hore power the rode and drills made
TO worn in a vertical direction, the same as With
hands from the end of large beam, which hal Two
or three foot stroke. Tho width OF the bore Il 1--WE
inches, The kind Of drills used various, some
being adopted for pulyerizing the rock others for
,,runert called rinmer Used for cutting the sides
Of the bore to meke il round and smooth. Tubes are
also used containing valves which catch the loose
particles Of rock aed carry them TO the top of the
we'll The drilling rods are made OF stout OAK wood,
arc about two inches in diameter aud thirty two feet
long having iron screws aud faslenings at the ends
by which a continued rod may Do formed al any
length.
The preserce Of one or more persons is constantly
required 10. the purpose Of turning the drill around in
III bore its vertical motion continues. At present
the operators eDgs,of in en,argng the cavity at
he point where the s0il slate stone occurs for the
purpoeo Of introducing copper tube 70 prevent the
continual esving IN " tie soft particles which are
constantly sloughiug tt1sn the sides. We were told
that tbs falling in OF the blue Glste stone had let
cavity as large perhaps as q good sized house. We
t,;eye il is the intention 70 introduce copper pipes
,rom the top the bottom Of the well, coon o. it
i futhed although the hard, rocky sides would
.eeu 10 make IL uInecessary. The object 20 be
ys;sed by ihia is TO shut out the various kinds Of
ysier. fr,,m the sides that the pure stream from
the bottom may reach the top without any mixture.
AT the depth Of 700 feet a vein Of salt water Vas
struck and al 500 feet immense vein Of sulphur
wnter burst forth, which has been running ever since
its dseoveJ in q large stream from the mouth Of the
we'll This water is the same that Of the Blue Lex
springs. in Ken,acky, and possesses purity and
esbpess Of taste quite superior 10 that which reaches
ps In barrels and casks. |; is carried Cd by large
aver esdrg 10 the nver. Ii seems too wastefui ina,
,rcb urofuse quantities Of this celebrated water should
he n.rmit.ed 70 flow away but the refinery needs tae
cIsar unxaul.srs.sd element. and must have u ana