New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-27

story Of the tunnel from this time down the
most important part OF ts mechanical history, aud will
be found further on, embodied In detailed account of
the engineering operations from the beginning TO the
completion Of the tunnel The adoption by the State OF
tins project did not remove all difficulties. Its deter
mined opponents threw many obstacles In the way
before. and its determined friends removed them with
like decision. Legislation from time TO time EN-.
DaTrasscd ny these cOunterCurrcnts of aim aud feeng
hot INC friends of the measure re generally successful
Under recommendations OF the Commissioners, the work
put under contract 10 first parce ed for
short time TO two or three parties but on the oath of
December, ls6s contract for the whole work made
with Messrs. Waiter aud Francis STANLEY Of Canada
who agreed to complete the tunnel by the LIST OF March
1874 for the OF Sf9l263. Under this contract the
work has been vigorously and successfully prosecuted
financial aud constructive difficulties having been over
come, the main difficulty Ii to tell how to MANAGE
or dispose Of the tunnel on its completion, Several rail-
road corporations strenuously cOnendng for its
possession while the state, which holds possession
is party 10 the discussion ana conclude 10 retain
exclusive control THIS subject engaged the attention
OF the Massachusetts Legislature last year. and Will
appear as problem the coming session in January.
THE HoosAo MOUNTAIN.
The Hoosae Mountain is a part OF the Green Noun
tain Range, which itself belongs to the great
Appalachian chain, extending nearly parallel to the
coast from the State of New-Hampslre to and through
the State of Virginia. Stretching the western
part Of Massachusetts,, it forms natural barrier be-
tween that State and New-York. This mountain wall
has been Of great commercial advantage TO NewYork
CITY naturally causing the tide of Western trade TO turn
ana seek an outlet on the water or along the
valley of the Hudson. one railroad, the Boston
ana Albany, climbed over this range or noun
tains some 80 years ago, and is Bosons chief means
OF intercourse with the West. The only vulnerable
sary by commercial men 10 cheaper transportation from
Boston TO the West Is found here in this ridge IN the
northwestern part of the state. At the point selected
for tunneiing the top of the ridge 2O feet above
tdcwater, and is approached the east by the deep
and well-marked valley Of the Deered River,
tain torrent, tributary 20 The Connecticut. and the
west by the HOosac River tributary to the Hudson.
These valleys are both about the evel-5s0
above dowater They approach each other within five
miles, thus allowing railway 10 reach the tunnel by
gradients not exceeding one in 1873 feet.
The HOOsac Mountain has two sumIQts, with wide
lDf font
from he east portal Of the tunnel and 145 feet above
the grade OF the road and tue western summit 600 feet
from The western portal aud 7O feet above the grade
The submits are l0l0O miles distant from each other,
aud the valley between, its greateat depre IL
feet above grade. part Of the line the tunnel
covered with forests and in places the depth Of
earth over the rocks il quite considerable In portion
Of the valley between tho submits, the land is swampy