Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-02
SINKING THE SHAFT.
THE TUNNEL PEOPLE PROCEEDING
WITH GREAT yNRKGY.
Arrangements for Building the Tramway
from Near Marshall Street to the
North End Of Eighth.

Work on the Eighth-sueet tunnel Is pro-
crossing 10 the entire satisfaction OF al
parties interested and there IS now no reason
for doubling that Messrs. }. p. Carpenter X
Co., the contractors, will complete the Job
by July |, 1880:
The undertaking IL a mammoth one, but
these gentlemen baye set 10 work in dead
earnest. They know exactly what they are
doing, and 10 is safe 10 say, with no uniore-
seen delay. they will be able 10 accomplish
their t1sk within the time which they then-
selves allowed.
A member of the firm from New York ar
rived in the city Tuesday, and he snd Mr'
Carpenter have spent much Of the time since
figuring on estimates that have been received
for furnishing the bricks, stone, lime, ce'
ment, lumber. and other materials to 0e
used in tue construction Of the tunnel. None
OF the contracts have "a yet been awarded
but it is probable that all OF them will be this
week, except that stforfurnisbiug eight million:
Of bricks, which Will not be given out before
next Monday, and 1t is not yet certain that II
will be then.
SINKING THE SHAFT.
Mr.. Lum. engineer Of the road, yesterday
morning staked OFT the site for the shafi
which il TO be suBk on the east side ol
Eighth street Just north CT the alley between
Marshall and Broad streets. In order not tc
trespass on either private or public property
The company have purchased the lot NJ the
southeast corner Of Msrshlll aud Elghth
streets and running back TO the alley. The
shaft will be sunk on the extreme back part
OF this lot. 10 will be 122 feet dsep and the
opening will be 6xl5 feet In the clear.
There will be two elevators kept in opera
ton, so that one may be at the top unload
ing while the other is down in the shaft
being loaded.
A force Of hands will be put to work this
morning excaYating for the shaft.
The location selected is a central and most
desirable one for the shaft, as gsfngS OF men
can work IN both dIrections-north and
Southland have the dug-up earth brought
to this point and there hoisted 10 the surface
and borne away on the trHmway.
TIE rRAMwAV.
The work on this tramway. The right 70
build which has been granted the company,
Will be commenced ia a day or two and It's
construction will only be 4 matter OF little
time.
The tramway will be run from the SHAH
out Eighth street 10 the dumpiug-pomt.
This will not only greatly expedite operas
tlons, but will spare the residents OF that see-
tion Of the city the annoyance OF boisterous
BOYS driving mule.carts and the great discOln'
fort OF having Eighth street made bank Oh
dust. THIS action on the plrtof the railroad
company will be thoroughly appreciated by
the citizens resident on that thoroughfMe.
ELECTRICITY.
A contract was closed with the Virginia
Electric-I Light and Power Company on Tues
day TO furnish electricity both for lighting
the tunnel aud as motive power for running
the hosting apparatus at The shaft. Wires
will be run as occasion may require. These
lights will burn day and night.
THE GANGS.
The contractors now have four gangs OF
men ut work, aggregatina about one hun
dred. Some are cutting through knoll a
short distance beyond the gully, and the
Others are engaged at and near the approaches
proper.
At the gully the route OF the railroad will
divergs slightly to the northeast, SO as to Al.
ford better grade upon entering the tunnel
and for the operations not to interfere IN
any respect whatever with Elgbth street be-
FOnu the Rhil1. L nc tuhhcl NAi NV HuNN
first with heavy timbers and then stone
walls will be run up to where the arch be-
gins and the arch will be Of brick masonry
The opening will be OF ample width for 4
double track, which will be laid.
In few DAYS the contractors will CON-
menco brickng ND the sntrancc to the tun
mel. and the tunuel proper will have to b1
built or arched over about 100 yards before
going under ground. The earth taken oui
al the shaft viii he dumped over this struc'
tlre, and when this filing Is finished the
traniway will be extended and the remainder
Of the excaynted earth, including that taker
out at and near tho mouth OF the tunnel, vii
be used ia filing the rold-bed near by.
CONNECTING TRACK.
II is proposed to build a temporary track
10 connect with the Chesapeake and Ohio
road. go that all OF the materials may bt
brought right no TO where they are needed
Work on this will be commenced to-day.
THE PROsPECT.
In speaking OF the work yesterday Mr.. II
4. Atkinson, counsel for the company, said:
The contractors have made much better
progress than we expected. They have
moved great deal OF earth and overcome
many obstacles that presented themselves
with much less difficulty than was expected.