The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-07-11
THE BLUE RIDGE TUNNEL.-COL. GRO.
ZETS STATEMENT


We find In the Valley Democrat, of July 8, let
ter from Col. Crozet with regard to the work al
the Blue Ridge Tunnel This letter, It appears.
elected by some remarks In the Democrat OF
June a. Colonel C. says he has seen occasionally,
10 the public prints, articles directed against him
and didn't think 1t worth while to notice them-his
only answer being to continue in the faithful dis
charge OF his duties satisfied that an enlightened
public would form ts judgment by TINT, and do him
ample justice in the end. The remarks of the
Democrat, however, having been prompted by
sense of fairness and justice, Col c. takes pleasure
in answering and gives the following statement of
facts:
In 1919, the Legislature agreed to make for the
Louisa railroad company, the mountain section
upon the plan l had conceived and suggested in
1899 an appropriation of only 800, 600 annual
iy was allowed for the tunnel and II miles of rail-
road, over very difficult ground, requiring three
smaller tunnels: the whole was then generally es
tinated at one million Of dollars: and vet while
the Legislature thus virtually extended the time to
ten years, it was then already required of me to
finish the work in two or three and the above
quoted libersl remark began to be made
Notwithstanding the smallness of the appropria.
ton, prevailed upon the Board to place at once
also the principal part of the railroad under con-
tract, with the hope that the Legislature would en-
large the appropriation which it did in 1852.
The tunnel, however, was attended to first. and
was steadily prosecuted, though with great diic ul
mixture of blue slate, trap and flint in addition to
which, during the year 1853 the water on the west
sidebecame very troublesome, but caused us very
little delay Until November last we had no cause
10 complain OF our progress, though it was some
what retarded during 1853 by strikes for higher
wages and the scarcity OF hands In November,
/. new and serious difficulties began; we suddenly
came on the west side. upon body Of loose large
n =
been entangled ever since. Before this the exca-
walton had proceeded safely without any pro;ec.
ton over head, but then fall of the roof which
injured two men, though not fatally, warned us of
using more caution, The hands for some time re.
fused to work, but after strong frames of timber
had been raised for their protection. they returned
TO their task. These loose masses of rock were for
some time wrapped in red mud, showing fssure
clear to the top, here 500feet high. More recently
the mud disappeared, but the water came from
above 10 heavy shower, which kept the men con-
etantly wet at time when pneumonia ragged in
the neighborhood and carried off several of them
Then again most OF them declined working in SO
appalling q situation; but upon. my procuring ell
cloth coverings, they returned Since that period,
the large rocks were succeeded by singular con.
glomerate OF small pebbles, no larger than peas
and finally, We have just passed through a narrow
drift of sandy soil, which poured down as fast as
removed to the imminent danger of the men, Can
any reasonable man expect, that in the midst OF
such dangers and exposure having to raise props
and shield, before venturipg forward and frequent
~ to raise them a second time when Knocked off
by blns's, men can rush through with the speed of
expectant impatencef
1t would seem that the mountain had been rent
here, and the chasm filed by some sandy deposit;
we have struggled here already through about 200
feet and thank God, without any accident. There
is every appearance of our getting again into the
hard blue slate, which constitutes the main BODY of
the mountain If we are not again disappointed,
our future progress will be from 20 to 80 feet per
month, and the time necessary to complete the
800 feet can readily be appropriated The pro
gress in June 10 already better; it will not be short
of 60 feet. One foot day at each drift is general.
~ considered fair average, though we made more
before we encountered the loose rock
The above 10 probably as much you desire to
have information about; but will with pleasure
supply any additional matter you may cali for.