The New York herald., 1873-11-28
HO0SAC TUNNEL.
Uhe Mountain Pierced After
Years Of Toll.
OPENING CEREMONIES YESTERDAY.
Another Triumph of Engineering Skill
Boston's Hole in the Wall, Through
Which She Proposes to Tap
the Trade Of the West.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass, Nov. 27, 1873.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Nov. 27, 1873.
At seven minutes past three O'Clock this alter
noon the final blast was fired between the two
headings OF the Hoosac Tunnel, and an opening
eight feet square was made between the central
and western sections Thus an uninterrupted
passage was effected through Hoosac Mountain
Long years OF weary toll, untiring perseverance
and extraordinary engineering skill were to-day
crowned with success. AS the deafening thunder
from the explosion died away shout announcing
the successful opening between the headings rung
out nom the crowds assembled in the two sec.
lions. The widest enthusiasm prevailed. Great,
burly Cornish men grasped one ano otner eagerly BY /
the hand, and each seemed joyous over the re- 4
suit as II to himself belonged the glory OF the
achievement. headong rush followed, each
eager to be the first who should step. through the
opening.
An event OF such Importance, both from. i CON-
mercial and engineering point OF view, deserves
more careful and extended account. The HERALD
reporter arrived at the engineers office, central
shaft at noon, after a cold ride in the snowy
weather OF q Berkshire winter. There he was met
by Messrs. Wederainch and Bond, assistant en-
gneers, to whom our thanks are due for many
kind attentions. We donned the necessary water
proof suits OF oilskin, and, with miners lamps
prepared for the descent From the engineers
ting to the PLATFORM and, stepping into the
cage, we were lowered rapidly down into
the heart OF the mountain. A jolly crowd
OF williams College students, who were Of the
company, enlivened the two minutes descent with
college songs, which produced, under the circum-
stances, peculiarly fine effect. As the cage
gradually slackened its speed and brought below
the roof OF the tunnel . weird scene pre-
sented itself, which will never be forgot
ten. hundred miners, with their faces
strangely lighted by tine fame Of the naring
lamps, stood in groups, waiting for the final prep
arations to be completed. We mingled with the
crowd and listened for the blast, which was mo-
Mentarlly expected We had not long to wait.
LAUNDERING CRASH
and rush Of air announced the firing OF the blast
barrIcade OF heavy Iimbers had been erected at
the distance OF $50 feet from the heading, behind
which the miners took refuge. The blaster, Mr..
Hancock connected the wires OF the electric fuse
TO the circuit OF nitroglycerine cartridges, and,
retreating few hundred feet farther, he seized a
pickaxe and kept back the anxious crowd till 1t
should be certainly ascertained that all the cart.
ridges had been fired. As soon this was known
with certainty double line OF miners was formed
IN the central section, through which Mr.. Walter
Shanly, the contractor, accompanied by Mr..
Robert Johnson, chairman OF Legislative Commis-
eion, passed, they being the first TO go
THROUGH THE OPENING.
IN, These s gentlemen and other prominent visitors
lance between the headings, when the final
charge, which consisted o. 1870 pounds, was put in,
was about Is feet; and, in order to make clean
work. IL or Is drill holes were made on each side.
1t was expected that Mr.. Shanly would make his
exit at the western portal, and accordingly band
some reason Mr. snanly ynAfe founa 1t 0Is neces aos
sary to return by the central shaft, and
not take place at the west end. The dis
tance OF the opening from the western
blast that the distance OF 300 feet the gates OF
oak timber IL inches In thickness were shattered,
ana Burlegh drlll carriage standing 500 feet dis
masses OF rock. 1t is thought that careful meas
urement viii show an almost exact meeting OF the
ascertaned till the enlargement has been made
At this point the rock blasting OF the tunnel
feet OF enlargement which remains to be
done between the west shaft and opening
drained by channel lying between the two tracks
and covered by tagging stones already contracted
Tor East OF the central shaft draining Will not be
Iion. 1t is expected that the tunnel will be open
for travel by the 4th OF July next II the work OF
grading and track laying between the west portal
and North Adams, tor which McCallan, Son &
walker, OF Springfield, Mass, have the contract, is
i,n,sn nnsned; we understand tnas tne masonry IN.
grading nearly so. At the east end about 500
ysros more OF rock grading remains to De done be-
tween the portal and the depot.
THE SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTOR.
In the contract OF Mr.. Shanly, 1t will be remem-
u
months, on account OF unavoidable delays which ne
suffered. He will derive no advantage from COM
pleung his contract within that time, since to Sc
cure the bonus he must have the work done be-
fore March /, 1874, which will be impossible. That
every exertion has been made not only by the
contractor, but also by the corps OF superintend-
ents and engineers under him, to have the tunnel
opened at the very earliest possible date, one
acquainted with the facts doubts for a moment,
But, aside from his peculiar constructive powers,
Mr. Shanly Is vastly popular as man. Kind and
ready to help, he has endeared himself by
w ndprh hto
BESIDES this great undertaking of the Hoosac tun.
mel, Mr.. Shanly has also contract made Tor build
ing 20s miles OF railroad between Wheeling and
Toledo before the LIST OF septenber, 1874 On ac-
count OF competition and the local interest other
roads, much difficulty has been encountered in the
construction OF this line but Mr.. shanly tells us
that The proposed road shall surely be put through
he has right to expect he can and Will put an
excursion train over that road on the 4th OF July,
win run through the tunnel under Hoosac Noun
tain, and this great work, which has attracted SO
Besides the Commissioners and contractor who
we're present we noticed also several prominent
gentlemen from North Adams, Rev. Messrs Pratt
works at f1tchburg; Mr.. Hunter, under whose
superintendence most OF the machinery used at
the tunnel has been constructed; Mr.. Austin Bond,
the state nnancier Of the tunnel; Mr.. Mowbray
the manufacturer OF the nitro-glycerine used in
sitant engineers Of the several sections OF the
sunnei. marvel Of engineering skill has been
srough Hoosac ne peRnS Mhcn q TINS
ever been surpassed.
ON December u, 1877, when the headings west.
Ward from the east end and eastward from the
central smart were connected, wonderful degree
Of accuracy was shown In the fact that the two
headings conceded within eight inches and this
II must be remembered, was done ln spte OF great
difficulties. The only reliable means OF guidance
an the direction Of the headings was such az conld
be obsaincd at the terminal points, and one Of
these was itself to be determined beforehand
0y the skill OF the engineer, II being situated
more than 1000 feet below the surface OF the
earth. The long distance between the terminal
points peing also considered. and ao " ance MADE
Tor slight unavoidable errors, IL will be seen that
the highest praise is justly due to Mr.. b. d. FROST
the chief engtnee and also to Messrs Carl o.
wederlainch. u. A. Bond, +. ID. Fisher and A. W.
Locke, assistants.
RAILROAD CONNECTIONS
A question OF very practical bearing Will present
itself 70 the people OF Aiassachusetts as soon as
thls new route Is completed and open for use
namely What they shall do with 10 and how they