Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-05-14
MISCELL A N Y
From the Portland argus.
The Thames Tunnel.

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every stranger visits. Its interest arises not so
much from ANYTHING very odd or striking in its
appearance as from the fact that it exists. 10
cross river the world is in the habit Of employ
ing boats or bridges; but here is a brick arched
double roadway extending under the bed OF the
river, and thus avoiding distractions to naviga-
ton as well as furnishing secure passage 10
travel. The project of such tunnel was put
forward more than half century ago, and ex-
tended progress was made in the work when
the ground broke through under the pressure or
high tides, and the scheme was reported imprac-
tible. But the present age does not recognize
impracticabilities.
The existing tunnel was projected by Dir l.
Brunei in 1923. 1t is about two miles below
London Bridge between Mapping and Rother-
hitbe. The neghborhood is commercial and
populous, and q bridge would be too much in the
way of vessels. At the same time an increased
facility of communication between the two
shores was very much needed. A company was
formed and chartered in 1925. Mr.. Brunei was
appointed engineer. He began by erecting a
substantial cylinder of brick work work 90 feet
in diameter, AZ feet high, and feet thick, which
was sunk en- n,asse into the ground. Upon the
,op of the cylinder was placed steam engine
for pumping out water and raising eXcayated
earth Bv this means the cylinder was forced
through a bed of qucksand, which had compell-
ed the dritt-makers formerly to suspend their
work. The shaft having been sunk to the depth
of 65 feet, another smaller one 25 feet in dame
Ter. was also sunk from this lower level as res
eryoir for the DRAWINGS OF water. The eXcava-
ton was commenced, then, at the depth OF 63
feet. A powerful iron apparatus was used call
ed O shield" 1T consisted OF II great frames,
living close to each other, like SO many volumes
ON the shelf of bookcase, These frames were
% feet high and 3 feet broad They were each
divided into three stages or storieS thus present.
ing So chambers or cells for the workmen oy
whom the ground was cut down and secured IN
front and the bricklayers by whom the structure
was simultaneously formed.
The Vshield" was placed in position at the bot
tom of the shaft January lst. 1926. The prog
r,ss of the work was of course slow. 1t was
necessary to proceed cautiously and to secure
firmly every foot advanced. With river run
ming above, it was only prudent to keep good
watch below. The first impeachment came early
On the 25th of January the stratum of clay
through which the excavation had been worked
broke off suddenly, leaving the shield for up
wards of six weeks open to considerable infiux
of land water, which flowed from bed OF sand
and gravel that was saturated anew at each rise
ofthe tide The difficulty having been overcome,
the work proceeded, and on the 30th of April,
1927. the tunnel had extended 400 feet under the
river. The next month, and again in the follow
ing January, the river broke in, and SIX men
were drowned Mr.. Brunei, Jr., having been car
ried by the rush of waters up the shalt. Great
apprehensions were now felt for the success OF
che enterprise Hundreds of plans were offered
l.I,.- nd IN futuIe
cidents But the chasms in the bed OF the river
were filled by bags of clay, and when the tunnel
was cleared Of water the structure was found
uniniured. The work, however, was suspended
for want of funds for seven years.
"Other great speculations have been nursed
Till want of proceeds laid them on the shelf;
But thy concern was at the worst
When it begpn to HQuidats itself.
Thus sang Tom Hood in an ode to Brunei
when the prosecution of the work seemed doubt
full. But Parliament sanctioned q loan IN aid OF
it, and it was resumed in March, 1856. During
that year 1T feet were completed; in 1887 on
" 30 feet; in 1888 80 feet in 1889 1914 feet; in
iS4O 60 feet and in 1S41 the remaining distance
was accomplished to the shaft at Mapping. In
August Brunei passed through the tunnel from
shore to shore. His triumph was complete
Queen Victoria recognized it by knightlng him.
In March, 1S4S, the Tunnel was opened
as public thoroughfare Its length from shaft
to shaft is 1900 feet its width 30 feet each
archway and footpath clear width about IA feet !;
thickness of earth between the crown OF the
tunnel and the bed of the river about 10 feet.
The tunnel cost about 9450,000. The dan
gers of the work were many, and the miners Of
ten suffered serious alarms. sometimes por-
tons OF the shield broke with the noise OF can
not shot, then alarming cries told of some irrup-
ton OF earth or water; but the excavators were
more inconvenienced by fire than water, gas ex-
plosions frequently wrapping the place in a sheet
OF flame, strangely mingling with the water and
rendering the worhmen insensible." Yet only
seven lives were lost in making it.
The tunnel at present is both q success and a
failure As an example of engineering skill it is
undoubtedly great triumph. But until it can
be used for vehicles as well is foot passengers
il will not answer its original purpose. 1t is
reached now by winding staircase down the
shaft on either side Of the river, and it is opened
day and night for passengers At toll ofone pen
nv each It is lighted with gas, and some of its
arches are occupied Us small shops and for the
exhibition of works of art. The approaches for
vehicles are intended 70 be circular, by shafts
200 feet in diameter. Their cost Is estimated at
elOO, We do not understand thatany prob
bility exists of their early construction.
AN AUSTRALIAN LEGISLAToR.-Mr. Danlei
Cameron, who was elected representative ,oI
a. W.ol,ha1 Australia hNf tb<