Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-03
The SutrO Tunnel.

The celebrated SutrO tunnel IN Ne
vada is nearly completed In two
months it is expected that the mine
owners can have the use of it, if desired,
and thus secure demonstration of the
value of one of the great engineering
feats of modern days This tunnel
was begun in October, 1869, by Mr..
Adolph Sutro, for the purpose Of reach
ing the famous Comstock lode, in the
heart Of Mount Davidson, Storey coun-
ty, New, mountain which lifts its head
nearly 5000 feet above the level of the
full study of the mine, was to render I'M
necessary the enormous expense and
labor of digging and working a shaft or
shafts downward, by running a tunnel
from low position on the mountain
side upward toward the Comstock lode,
which it would touch 1890 feet from
the starting point. The undertaking
once completed, the present system Of
working the mine would be changed if
his plan was successful. What that
system is, and what it costs, may be
realized from the statements of gen
tleman who visited the mine in 1876.
He writes that every ton of ore ex-
tracted, and every gallon of water that
springs from the rock, has to be hoisted
from 800 to 1000 feet, according to the
level on which they accumulate. That
the water cannot be pumped more than
100 feet upward at a time; and that
from the twentieth level to the surface
it is pumped into and out of twenty
cisterns. The expense is enormous,
there being daily used for the hoisting
works over 600 cords of wood, costing
over S13 per cord.
This LABOR and expense, which in
creased with the sinking of the shafts,
seemed to Mr.. Sutro matter that could
be remedled by tunnel, which was
begun as has been mentioned. This
tunnel is II feet high, IA feet wide at
the bottom, and Ii feet wide at the top.
with a double-track railway, and drains
on each side for carrying off the water.
When the Comstock lode is reached, it
is intended to construct cross tunnels
running 10000 feet each way The
point to be attained with the main cut
will beaboat 1000 feet under the sur
face, and the entire length Of the prin-
cipal tunnel will be nearly $4,000 feet.
The average progress in boring for this
gigantic undertaking has been about
eleven feet per day The temperature
of the atmosphere at the header is
stated at Sc degrees, and the quantity
of water flowing out at nearly $4,000
gallons. When completed, it is ex-
pected that the tunnel will drain all the
mines above the level of the tunnel,
rendering the hosting of ores by shafts.
and transportation thence to the mills,
unnecessary because reduction works
will be built at the mouth), give great
drainage and ventilation to the mines.
and effect, in fine. a wonderful economy
IN managing the lode. The cost of this
enterprise will be between 100000
and 100000, which, it is believed,
may soon be saved by this new railroad,
ventilating and drainage system which
taps the silver heart of mountain and
creates new artery for the flow of its
wealth. The tunnel will not be open
until an understanding has been arrived
at between the owners of the various
mines and Mr.. Sutro. He will close the
gates at the bulkheads in case of dis
agreement and let the mine-oWners take
care Of themselves. as aaxe~~