Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-06-22
MiscellamenMs.
IN THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.

A tall shaft, steam engine, an air
locomotive and couple of wooden shan
ties mark the spot destined, it may be,
to abut upon the English mouth Of
channel tunnel, for there are other
schemes afoot to join London and the ex-
tremest point Of the Continent of Europe
in continuous railway journey and
without change of carriages Sir Ed
ward Watkin airily calculates that the
cost of the enterprise in which he is in
terested would amount to three millions
sterling, and that the tunnel would allow
the passage of $50 trains each way
every day, ut an average speed Of forty
five miles an hour SO that the tunnel
of twenty two miles in length might be
traversed in half hour-a speed, be it
said, very much higher than that kept
up in the longest tunnels of St. Gothard
between Switzerland and Italy. At the
bottom of the shaft, at the mouth of the
boring no more than seven feet in d.
ameter from end to end--excepting here
and there somewhat wider square open
ing, technically called turnout" we
found II couple of trollies, fitted with seats
on either side. after the manner Of the
tram-cars of the military train familiar
to habitues of Wimbledon camp. Run
ming along the sides of the trolly close
to the ground, was foot-board like that
attached to railway carriage, and above
the seat was semi-crcular hood lined
with red baize, sufficient to protect the
head and shoulders from dripping wet
or PARTICLES Of falling debris but not
wide enough to save the legs aud feet
BY reason of the space taken up in
the lower are Of the circle, 80 as to make
level floor, along which the rails were
laid, it was necessary that we should sit
with knees drawn up aud heads bent
during the whole time occupied in jour
neying to the face of the tunnel and back
again.
A Rembrandt or Saltwater Rosa
might have done pictorial justice to such
scene. Under foot for great portion
of the way the ground is almost ankle
deep in slush, and the stalwart fellows
who drag and push the trolies--trudg-
ing manfully along--have enough to do
to keep their foothod. The travellers,
for the greater length of time moving
through dim twilight, cannot well make
out the features even Of those who sit
beside them. Now aud again the little
electric lamps, set in rude inches Of the
naked gray chalk, cast brilliant but flu
gitive light on the passing train Then,
for awhile, all is again but darkness Wis
ible. There are shadows above and be.
meath and all around. Looking backward
or forward, through the deepening gloom,
the traveller sees an cver-receding SEEM
ingly endless funnel Snapped perspective,
lit at long intervals as with fiery eyes.
Onward, and yet onward-to no sound
save the splashing made by the tall work
man trampiDg through tho mud, aud the
drip, drip Of the water upon the hood
above our heads---we are dragged and
pushed beneath the single and the sand
Of the shore for time level with the
beach, and then down quarter Of mile
deep, past low water mark, under the
bed Of the channel.
The bore has cut clean through the
gray chalk in circle as round and
true as the inside Of wedding-ring
SO thoroughly, indeed, is the instrument
adapted 10 the work and TO the material
that in dry places il is possible to see
the cbisel marks mals couple Of years
ago. At intervals along the route, where
il is feared the water might come through
the sides and roof have been packed with
lead or clay, and held up with solid iron
bands, apparently about eighteen inches
wide. Sometimes in tho ftful flashes Of
light, the eye rests upon falling red rivu-
let's like streams Of blood, pouring down
the damp walls. Ever aud anon there
are faults" in the clayey chalk not yet
remedicd. SO we 90 on and on, mo-
ments seeming as minutes, until the cleo
trio lamps cease altogether, and the long,
awful cave is cnvclopcd in darkness that
would be impenetrablc but for the glim-
mcr Of u few tallow candles stuck into
the bare walls of the cutting. Even a
mile or more from the mouth Of the shaft
il is not difficult 10 breathe for the same
machine which works the bore pumps
drives continuous supply Of fresh air
into the sevcn-fcet pipe which at present
forms no more than the nucleus Of .
tunnel. At distance Of 1900 yards
from the pit mouth we come upon the
simple and wonderful piece Of machinery
which can pierce through the bed Of the
sea With extraordinary celebrity and at a
cost cheaper than il required for the max
ing Of tunnel under bill BY per.
mission Of the president Of the board Of
trade, the engineer is allowed to make a
couple Of turns in order to show our
party the method Of its working Pros
emily we remount our not too comfort
able carriage aud pass STOPPING once
more along the fearsome narrow ways !;