Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-04-04
TUNNELING THE HUDSON.
A Gigantic Enterprise by Which New
York is TO be connected with New
Jersey.

More than four years ago the Hudson
\ Tunnel Company commenced the shaft
for an underground communication
between New York and jersey CITY
ben cath the bed of the Hudson river to
enable the numerous railroads terminal
ing in Jersey city 70 continue their
tracks into the metropolis. Litigation
was instituted that put IA stop to the
work, but this has now happily termina-
ted, and the passage of Il bill pending
in the New York legislature Will soon
cause the resumption Of the work. 1t
is only necessary to consider the gigan-
tic traffic of the Erie Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, New
Jersey Central, and other roads TO show
the importance of the cars going direct
INTO the city instead of having to depend
on the transfer of the freight and pas
sengers by the ferryboats The saving
of time and lessening of expenses can
not fail to be satisfactory and profitable
to all concerned. All the plans are set
tied, the means provided, and it is cal
culated that the tunnel can he construct
ed in about two years. The entrance
to the tunnel on the Jersey side will be
8, 400 feet from the river banks. There
will be 5,400 feet under the bed of the
river, the greatest depth being 81 feet,
and 5000 feet on the New York side,
making the entire tunnel about %
miles long. For the purpose of expedi-
ton, it is supposed to lwork from each
side of the river at the same time, en-
ployng as many men as can be success
fully employed, changing them every
eight hours, thus doing three days work
every twenty-four hours. The tunnel
will be 26 feet in width and n feet in
hight, with q double track of heavy
steel rails, and capable of passing 400
trains every twenty hours. 1t will be
painted white and lit with gas, while the
locomotives will consume their own
steam and smoke, rendering the pas
sage pleasant as we'll as speedy, not
more than six minutes being required.
The president Mr.. Haskins, has pat
ent for the use OF compressed air which,
in connection with other important APP
pliances, will complete the work at
much less expense than has attended
any other similar construction. No ex-
pensiye Golfer dam, caissons, or Brunei
shields will be required. The use of
compressed air introduced into the face
of the tunnel with sufficient pressure to
hold in place or keep back and prevent
the Eruption of silt, clay, or water, is
expected TO overcome the difficulties
usually experienced in constructing such
works. The air-pressure will also carry
back to the workingshafts all sand,
mud, or water that may accumulate in
the heading while the workmen are
making the excavations. The air
pressure is also expected to assist in
keeping out water and unfolding the
roof Of earth during the excavation,
which is to be made by three sets of
workmen on platforms, one above the
other. The masonry will be going on
as fast as the excavation is made, the
brickwork being three feet thick and
laid with cement. 1t is q gigantic en-
terprise and deserves to succeed, with
out any of the impediments that now
hinder the completion of the suspension
bridge acros the east river. The CAPT
tai of the company ($10,000,000), it is
supposed, Will be abundant to put the
work in actual operation within two
years.