Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-10-06
The Destruction Of the HaIIett's Point Reef.
THE GREATEST ENGINEERING FEAT OF THE
DECADE.

| was ~ "AASi ~ W 0SSaA
ing least depth Of 20 feet of water over the
reef. More than sixteen thousand sound
ings were taken, each separately located,
by means of instruments, from the shore.
The cubic contents ofthe reef above the depth
of tTenty-six feet at mean low water amount
ed TO 81 200 yards. Work was commenced
in July. 1862 by building Golfer dam be-
tween high ard low water marks. In DC
tober following the excavation of the shaft
was begun. From the bottom of the shaft
! ten tunnels were driven under the river IN
radiai lines, and were extended until o
| depth Of water upon the reef of 90 feet at
low tide was reached the roof of the ex-
cayation being kept nearly parallel to the
| bed Of the river, and about 10 feet below 1t.
The main tunnels were about IA feet IN
width. varying from 10 to % feet in height,
and averaging about go feet in length.
They were connected with each other at in.
tervlls Of 80 feet, by means of cross tunnels,
or galleries Of about the same height and
width. Between the tunnels and galleries
large columns Of solid rock were left to
support the roof OF the excavation or bed Of
the river. These large columns were after
wards cut through By other tunnels and
galleries, until finally l73 piers were form
ej, averaging about 10 feet each in thick
ness. The entire reef Covering an area Of
three acres was thus undermined. The az
grogate length Of tunnels ard galleries
driven under the bed of the river was 7l25
feet From the excavation, Il, 46l cubic
yards Of rock have been removed by drill
ing and blasting this operation required
2Cs.l7l lineal feet or about forty mules of
drIll holes, Of which 30. l07 feet in depth
were drilled by hand. and 1851 67 feet by
various kinds OF machine drills. The explo-
sive- used IL tunneling the reef were nitro
yclrine ard its compounds, and gunpOw
der. the latter being used only when the
rock Was weak and seamy. \ great care
had 10 be taken not to shake the struc-
tlre overhead ~ too heavy vibra-
tons. only enc blast which exploded |
at time After the excavation was
completed, the work of preparing for |
the blast was leEun. and the roof pillars |
were pierced with $50 drill-holes 10 re- |
c5iys the cartridges OF rend-rock, vulcan !
powder ard dynamite. TIE holes wero /
made from Two To three inches in diameter, (
AL from s.z to ten feet apart, with an ay-
erage depth of about nine feet. The size
II the holes and their direction and dIstan-
ces apart were made to vary according 10
the character of the rock to be broken. On
the l2-h inst, everything being prepared.
abe charging OF the mine was began. Car
rl1Ecs Of vulcan powder, TentrOck, and
dynamite were carefully place IN the
holes. tie explosives being distributed ac-
corl.nE u the nature Of the service rCquir-
e. t. be performed. At the mouth OF each
hole was placed a small explodent cartridge,
Of illuminate mercury and dyn
lmite, with wires TO connect It with a
ya.vauic battery. When all the holes were
loaded, these wires were connected with
those running to the battery. standing
near ;le opening of the shaft, and placed
10 position. Including the leads, the con-
sections. and the fuses, about one hundred
.ad twenty-five thousand feet Of wire were
mp.1yCt. the whole number Of holes
oaied was ! ,l30. In addition a quantity
fnitr)-giyceTine was placed IL the tunnels
q % iron pipes.
The number % cells IN the printing bat
cry vas 500, consisting of l. batteries OF
70 csl- each, batteries OF 43 cells each
nd = batteries Of Il cells each.
Ecman', Temperance raion for the State Of
Vermont.
Tie -a.oal annual m3atiny Of this society
1aylncd in tie Congregational chapel IN
Bennington, On Wedue.d DAY the 9Th, and
-as called 10 order by Mr.. NJ. F Perkins,
# Burlington.
Alter prayer by Ms J. N Haven, vice
resident ofthe National Union, Miss Jen-
io Stacy, Of Burlington, was appointed
zcrctary pro tan, and Mrs NJ y Bourne,
I A1t.and, assistant secretary.
Burlington was represented by Mrs j
[. sl1td, Mrs. F. W9olworth. Miss Mary
Tory and Miss Jennie Stacy.
90 motion Of Mrs. Brown, of Montpelier,
committee on resolutions was appointed.
Of Mrs.. Baton, Mrs Eigerton,
i-- Tory, Mrs. Partridge, Miss Park.
The treasurer, Mrs.. j. N. Haven, report I
balance in the treasury Of $50. {
Mrs. j. Il Shedi was appointed auditor
: The chair.
I1e secretary report was then read By
is- Stacy. AuxiiiaIies then reported
ON Bennington. NerEennt>. Burlington,
.rnot and Rutland, giving most eucour- =,
ing reports from their various fields, of a
cp and Increasing interest in the work
The mon, and the cause Of Temperance -
form.
In the afternoon, a committee on nom
. o. al =.
ch auxiliary, was appointed =,
Mss Park announced the presence of !
r.. Adams, Of Manchester, who was re-
wed as delegate from the Grand Lodge
Good Templars. RI,
Cards Of greeting were then read by the 1
--itent, one from Miss Frances Willard.
Illinois, secretary OF the National Union,
Do sent her cordial greeting and expressed ar
r regret at not being able to be present ey
SD q card from Miss Laura Moore. vice T.
--idcnt for Caledonia county in this Al
IT.. who sent the cheering intelligence Of "
-r2AtiJn OF an auxiliary in St. Johns Re
Delegates were appointed to the National
INVENTION 70 be held at Newark y j ,ouOc- +
y 25th. The following ladies were chosen:
- Anna Park, Tor the first Congressional
strict, and Miss Lucy J. Bradshaw as her o.
.rnatc Miss Laura Moore, of Barnet, Va
the Second Congressional District, and COS
s. Clnant alternate Mrs. Albert Clarke.
70. Adams, for the Third District. alter o..
p Miss Mary Walker, OF Burlington v va
Dee president then spoke Of the frequent "a,
- and inquiries received asking for !
ruati5n and advice with reference t. pr
d temperance work. She cordially com ~
ldld tract by Miss Willard entitled am
ints and Helps and the Woman s pr
lpTGHee Union, as a paper well worthy
patronage Of the members Of our MON. pa,
{ 80 D. IN. an enthusiastic mass meet Lis
Was held in the n. f church. Address OrC
we're made by Mrs. Haven. Mrs. Ejger- Q
Mrs.. Bourne, Miss Bradshaw, Mrs =
wn. Mrs. Warren. Mrs. Daniels. Miss
pa Park, Mr. 7. Brownoll and Rev. Nj. A.,
fridge. Much interest Was manifested ~