The Republican journal., 1871-10-26
Another and a Greater Tunnel.

We last week gave some account Oh inc
marvellous engineering feet by which the
rocky barrier of the Alps between France
and Italy has been pierced. and the way
made passible for railroad trains. Great
as that work is and wonderful in its re-
suits, the European world is to see in y
few years one that will eclipse it by far
in all the essentials of bold conception,
engineering skill and financial faith. 1t
is no less than the union of France and
England by means of tunnel under the
Straits of Dover. The passage of the
twenty miles which separate the two
countries has always been the bane Of
unaccustomed travellers by sea. The
wild winds and veXcd waters have
generally combined to make the transit of
Door mortals beset with all the discom-
fort Of ocean travel and horrors of sea
sickness, to day nothing of the dangers.
Careful surveys have arrived at the
conclusion that the immense bed of chalk
which underlies both countries and rises
on the coast to cliffs of 1000 feet in height,
descends to an equal depth under the sea.
Through this the excavations, as compar-
ed with the finty heart of the Alps, would
be but pastime. A report made three
years ago by eminent English and French
engineers, endorses the project, but with
some reservation in regard to contingent
outset. Among these is the danger of
the breaking through or iiltcring in by
assures of sea-water, as was experienced
in the Thames tunnel. The danger OF
encountering insecure ground through
which the shaft cannot be carried, is also
advanced. The latter, however. is deemed
but tritling. This matter had occupied
the attention jointly of the English and
French governments before the events
which drove Napoleon from the throne
and but for the German war it is probable
that the work would before this time have
been actually begun. The cost has been
asiin,atnd at ten million pounds sterinm
or fifty million of dollars-at which figure
the work would be q splendid investment.
The objection of lack Of ventilation,
and the necessity of having some interme-
date openings to the upper air have been
overturned by the experience of the Mont
~ II
ed by the difference of temperature at the
two ends, producing constant currents of
pure air.
Practical men reply 10 the objections Of
danger from the penetration of the sea,
bv citing the coast coal mines at various
points in England, which are carried
under the sea with galleries and drifts
measuring far more than the length Of the
proposed submarine railway tunnel.
The doubts as to the amount OF money
and length Of time to be expended in the
work are met by proofs of the facility
with which chalk formations can be cut
through, rs have been already abundant
w proved A machine is already in use
that cuts through the material at the rate
Of lilty-fonr feet q day carrying 4 shaft
seven feet in diameter.
1t is announced that the new govern
ment of France has come to an under
standing on the subject with that Of Eng
land. and that before many months the
work will be actually begun. Itdoes not
require much exercise of the eye of faith
to see in the near future railway trains
crossing from England 10 France, with
while above their heads the wild tempests
rage and huge ships sail with their car