Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-08-30

A Natural Phcuoptctou.
The explorations Of the recently
discovered cave at the base of Look
out mountain, opening at the high
water mark of the Tennessee river,
three miles from Chattanooga, Tenn,
develops n wonderful cave of unknown
depth. At the extreme point of eX-
ploration a very large lake was en-
countered, into which Il waterfall
twenty-seven feet high pours It's waters
with noise of thunder. Other water
falls and other interesting phenomena
were discovered.
The Chattanooga Times says Al
lusion was made in the Times n few
davs since to the unexpected results of
explorations of cave under Lookout
mountain, known rs the "Old Blowing
Springs Cave The mouth OF the
cave is ut low waters edge, near the
Nashville and Chattanooga railroad
tract. but few hundred feet from the
large cave further mp tho mountain
slope. which !. so well known to all
our citizens.
4 party explored the Blowing
Springs cave for a few hundred feet
last week, and returned with tale of
marvellous discoveries and wonderful
experiences. Tuesday last party
was organized by Mr.. J. K. McNlilIin,
of this city, to continue the investiga.
ton. He was accompanied by Mr..
Mark Long, the well known civil en-
gineer They were supplied with coal
oil torches, pine knots, lanterns, ropes
and other equipments, besides taking
along leveling rods and trausits.
Although the river is very low, the
water leaves the mouth of the cave,
and the entrance was obtained only
by crawling through the water, when
at once the scene changed and they
stood in an immense chamber.
The party entered at . o'clock q. m.
and remained in until 3 p. m, and
were walking nearly the entire time.
By actual measurement they travel
cd distance Of l,2j5 feet, and from
all appearance the cave extends 10 an
indefinite length. Their explorations
met with happy result. and the won.
derful sights which met their astoui-h.
ed gaze seem more like views in fairy
land. They first entered a succession
of large chambers from which -taIac-
tites hung suspended in counties
myriads and gIi-teucd in the flicker.
ing lights like diamonds. About POO
feet from the mouth they encountered
another cave, but it extended only a
short distance. Returning to the main
cave they proceeded further and, toll
lowing a branch 10 the right, came
upon huge subterrauean lake. They
were unable to proceed further in that
direction and again returned TO the
main cave and advanced. Ahead Of
them was heard the roar Of rushing
waters and they soon encountered a
waterfall i,s heighth being - feet.
\ branch led to the left, aud within
a short distance they beheld another
waterfall, the cliff rising to a sheer
height Of lJO feet. The water came
over with a roar like thunder, the
volume being fully twelve inches in
diameter. With the meager facilities
at hand they could not proceed any
further in that direction, and return.
ing to the maiu channel again al.
vanced, until their explorations were
brought to sudden stop by a preci.
pitous wall Of solid rock rising to a
height Of fully 100 feet. They then
stood in an immense chamber, fully
200 feet wide, almost circular in shape;
walls Of solid stone rose on all sides.
and the roof spannod it as a dome.
From the centre Of the dome a stream
Of water poured, falling in the centre
Of the chamber. The stream was
fully twelve inches in diameter, and
was icy cold and clear as crystal.
The party stood almost spcechezs
with admiration at this sublime spccta.
Gle, but were barred from further pro.
gress by precipitous walls.
The distance were carefully meas.
ured and in a day or two Mr.. Long
will run lines on the surface to the
different waterfalls and bore to them.
Mr.. Cravens, on whose property the
cave lies, is anxious to ascertain
whether the water is available. If il
is near enough to the surface of the
ground, to be used, it might become an
important factor in supplying the city
with water, The highest stream was
fully fS0 feet above low water mark,
and it is quite likely that there are
water falls beyond.
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