New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-03
THE WEEH1WKEY TUNNEL OPEN

The Weehawken Tunnel is so far completed
as TO permit daylight to be seen through IT, The great
bore from the western end to point about midway be-
tween the eastern portal and the first shaft first
cleared Recently blast was fired there IN the head
ing which removed all obstruction TO connection with
the approach. The Weohawkcn bluffs through which
the tunnel has been cut, continuation of the Pal
isades and rise s do the latter almost precipately
the banks OF the Hudson on the east ana from the
Hackensack Valley the west The eastern approach
has been cut through 4 solid block Of granite, aud Is 100
feet in length and So feet i'll width The tunnel Itself Is
1000 feet In length and is quilt directly under the line
that separates the townships Of Union and Gutenberg.
having width Of - feet and height Of u feet. As
one descends into the interior by the shaft through
solid wall Of granite TO the depth OF $50 feet he obtains
some idea skill and labor requisite to surmount
the obstacl to the undertaking.
There are 1--WE shafts which used 10 convey the
rock and Inu4 nom the interior the surface, and
which VII DO seryiceabIc. when tralic Is opened, for
ventilation having an average depth OF $50 feet The
steam shovel, which is comparatively a recent inten-
ton has here done effective service. WIKI It's ponder
Gus proug- is capable OF loading train OF cars IN nf-
teen minutes carrying away mounds Of earth in an as
tonishngly short space OF time. Night and day the
seventy drills have been in constant impeled by
Reud's compressed air system. THIS adopted in
preference TO the steam drill, It dimnshes the risk
ofaocidents the workmen and the machinery Is not
so liable To get out OF repair The tunnel was begun In
January. 1881, under contract OF smith, Ripley *
Coleman with tIe NewNOTk Ontario ana western hal-
road Mr. Coleman has been the representative or the
firm having the work in special charge In the urst TWO
approach ana 600 feet OF tne tunnel
were completed In January, 1882, MI. coleman re
tired and Mr. stanton became the superintendent Since
that time rock has been pierced 3'1OO Rect H., ,
The railway corporation owns nearly TWO mics OF
water front at Weehawken, and scores OF wOrkmen are
already work constructing piers Extensive freight
houses and railroad depOs are 70 be erected eryboats
are to FortysecOndst this city, and bridge
a. 10 connect the brow OF the bluff with the shore there
by saving tolsome journey. The first station after
leaving the tunnel win be Durham. Thence, following
the Palisades tho railroad will run TO HaVersraw.
Newburg, Middetown, Albany, SYRACUSE, and finally
| to Buffalo. 80.
but in consequence OF many improvements which are In
contemplation IL Is likely that the amount Will be very
nuOh increased. The accidents In the construction OF
| the tunnel have been comparatively few Five met
Lve been killed and about tho same number seriously
injured The accidents have been all the result OF d.
rect oareessness the part OF the worknen and IN NO
respect ewing the lack Of preoauton on the part OF
tho men In charge IL will require about slx uontls
| longer to complete the tunnel and the approached