Arizona silver belt., 1888-03-03
Bridging inc English Channel.

Dispatch, writing from Paris, says the missing link" of railroad communi- cation between France and England seems to be on the eve of realization by means of viaduct, to which Vice Admiral Clane, formerly French Nm ister of Marine and member of the Bureau of Longitudes, lends the au- thorlty of his name. This IS not the first scheme put forward to bridge the English channel, other efforts in that direction having been made since 1902. Itis proposed now to build a solid yiadact upon stout piers from the bed of the sea, with massive iron super structure. The starting point would be Ambleteuse, which has the advan- tage of small roadstead on the French coast. The bridge Is to form one continuous way, and to extend in northeasterly direction as far as Folkstone Its length? Thirty-fiye kilometers. A shght bend will occur at two points, where reefs afford splen- did opportunities for abutments and eantaleyers. These reefs are in mid. channel, and indicated on naval maps as the rocks of Colbart and Yarne.  The sea dsptbs vary between 50 and 12 meters, the deepest water being on tue French side of the channel. The piers are to be built of hard concrete and masonry, and are to measure each about 50 meters long by 30 meters wide; they are to rise ten meters above the waves and support pier towers, on whose lefty framework the superstructure wlll rest. The inter- val between two piers will be between 500 and 600 meters, an enormous span, since the superincumbent weight of the homework would weigh 25,- coo tons. Tn. bridge will be 90 me ter8 wide, and have four railway lines, besides road fer foot passengers, vehicles and inspectors. Each pier will be provided with a powerful elec- iric light, besides sirens and alarm bells for foggy weather. The super structure OH the pier-towers will, of course, rise to a night sufficient to al- log the tallest ships to ride under il at case, say between 50 and 50 meters
 There is nothing absolutely extraor- dinary in the construction of the new yladuct, unless 1t be it's length, winch would make of It the largest in tEc world. When, however, bridges have been built two miles long, as they of 1 ten have, there Is no reason why onC 35 kilometers in length should not bC constructed The only real difficulty as regards the construction consists ir i laying ibe foundations of the piers ir deep water. h comparison with thaI the raising of tue iren pier-toWers anc superslructure will be easy work. As however, sneh an engineering feat hal been done already, there IS also nC reason why the thing should not b' again accomplished. h Australi; i mers have been sunk at 56 meters, greater depth than any to be fonnc bstween Ambleteuse and FeIkstone.
 A company has been formed to car ry on this gigantic enterprise, unde
 the name Of "The Channel Bridge an, Railway Company, Llmlted. an abl
 engineer and contractor, M, Hersent who has done extraordinary engineer ing feats already at Suez, AntwerI and elsewhere, and who enjoys
 worldwide reputation, is to construc
 the French portion of the stone pier
 to a height Of ten meters above SC
 loyel, while tue iron work of th
 towers and superstructure deyoIve
 on the famous Creuzot works. Thes
 gentlemen will be seconded by Mes
 SIS. Fowler & Baker. the well know
 L9udon firm. The plans and section
 eff the masonry are now ready, whl
 the Creuzot establishment is busy O
 the plans and sections which relate {
 the iron work.