Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-27
EXPLORING THE TUNNEL.
A Mi1isary Court In Rubber Boots and
OvercOals.

The TUNNBL~-ADvRNTURH IN THE DARK-KxAM-
lining soAB OF TIE SPECIMEN cAvRRNA
Mud and slush were the prevailing elements at
the mouth OF the aqueduct tunnel near Howard
University, this morning. The drizzle formed q
hitting accompaniment 70 the desolate surround
inga and made the prospect before the military
investigators adisagreeable one. Yet as one after
another remarked, there was consolation In the
fact that the change from the upper to the lower
dampness would not be 50 marked as though the
day were bright and pleasant When The STAR
reporter arrived, at about $50 O'Clock, there was
no one put the engineer and the fireman at the
popping was the only sign OF life, and the water
from the tunnel gurgled up through the pipes and
tr1ckled In different directions
The next arrivals were Mr.. Clarke the contrac-
tors engineer, and Lawyer Perry, who pulled on
their rubber boots in their carriage. One by one
discussed the probabilities OF there being good air
in the tunnel
BOOTS FOR THE COURT.
At 1920 the court Of inquiry and the engineer
of1cers arrived in couple OF carriages They did
not at first appear to be provided with the usual
and many speculatiOns were advanced as to their
probable garb during their progress through the
lem was solved by the appearance OF Lieut.. Town.
send with a bundle OF new rubber boots which
sss S a%Gns the ss The
but were attired in modest civilian garb.
Some little dtnculty was found In getting the
but things were at last arranged TO the satisfac.
ton OF everybody, except those with small feet,
VINO declared 4 That search warrant would be
rubber coats gladdened the hearts the explorers
Major Lydecker was busy looking after the attirng
OF the court and was quite solicitous that Gen.
should De wel-buttoned.
The engine house presented q busy appearance.
and was much crowded until the Ofiicers made
pilgrimages through the mud to the carriages
with their every day clothes
THE DESCENT.
At half-past 10 all was ready and arrangements
for the descent were made. The STAR reporter
where they would rise to the surface for breath,
and he answered: "You might as well ask q bird
wnere 1t is going TO light. We have none Of US
do not know how things are down there"
Gen. Ruger was the nrst to get on the car, fol-
lowed by Coils. Craighill and Hodges, Lieut. Town.
lighted. the word given, and the heads OF the
party disappeared. The next car carried the re-
porters and Major Lydecker.
IN THE TUNNEL.
When the second car reached the bottom TO
feet below the surface, the court and Lieutenant
Townsend were waiting, with their lights blink
ing as though impatient for the onslaught There
were twelve In the exploring party. AT first the
faces OF the officers as though they expected
pleasant promenade TO the other end.
thence, for short distance, the way lay through
about a foot OF water. Supt. kerltn led the way
with light, and the rest OF the party was
stretched back at intervals, marked by the glim-
mer Of the lamps. Very good progress was made
in comparative silence, with three or four CONVEX
sations in progress in undertones. Major
Lydecker walked near Gen. Kruger, and told him
various things about the tunnel and the theories
OF its construction Occasionally the general STOP
mui n stain caught his eye. Suddenly there was
halt, and the party crowded around the general,
who was testing the mortar with his knife, giving
1t little 1abs here and there to get an idea OF its
character.
THE FIRST CAVE.
Nothing unusual occurred to check the monOtony
OF the splashing OF the twenty-four feet until the
first ''cave" was reached at a distance OF 945 feet
been placed across the tunnel and ladder was
brought and raised to the mouth of the
aSe DEPTHS kger and was poka the his f o
in every direction, hoping to get glimpse Of the
farther walls OF the cavity. His face was stern
frown. Then he came down and Col. Hodges
took his turn, followed by Col. Craighill. None of
them made any expression Of opinion as to their
a new knowledge. This hole was the last one
opened by Lieut.. Townsend, and is in OBrtens
WESTWARD, Ho.
When all OF the officers had taken look at the
cavern the planks were let down add the march to
the west continued. The white crosses on the
wall, indicating each 100 feet, slipped by rapidly
and good progress was made to the end OF the
eastern section OF lining, when the loose rocks on
the floor In the unfinished portion caused success
sion OF grunts and EXPLANATIONS as each explorer
pointed fragments made the way hard one to
travel, and signs OF relief were heard On all sides
short piece Of good walking in a lined section
was encountered. AT 800 feet in the east Cham
plaln-avenue heading another hole In O'Brien's
baliwick was found, and the same
RHe next stop Sp was caused By 5yi'0~ the
coming OF a mule, for which the party respectfully
Rugged the walls. AT 300 feet there was hole
cavity extending for several feet on each side Of
the cur. Col Hodges was the pioneer on this Oc-
cason ana LOOK earetuI SURVEY o. the vacancy
Col Craighill explored the cave. Another cutting
was encountered so feet beyond that was not quite
as pad.
AT CHAMPLAIN AVENUE.
At the Champlain avenue shaft, which was
reached about noon, the lamps were refilled and
short rest was taken. Then the party pushed
ahead, and made good progress for several hundred
and Col. Craighill layished his sympathy upon the
patient creatures that have been down in the
At2,2oo feet from the shaft Lieutenant Davis
remembered his malaria, and took Quinine pill.
Immediately after he lowered his arm there was
an Odor waited back over the heads OF the rest OF
the party that did not come from the lamps or the
dampness and all the others sighed. A few feet
beyond loose rockswere again encountered, and the
suddenly those ahead stopped and listened, and
then the word was passed back TO halt and to be
ready for blast. In another minute there was a
dull heavy sound, and a sharp, swift rush Of air,
putting out the lamps and causing the visitors 70
lean over to the walls for safety. One torch alone
gave feeble light, and before all the others could
be lighted another blast was heard and another
another, following in quick succession until seven
had occurred. The blasting, said one Of the men
as the lamps were being rel1ghted, was taking
place about q thousand feet ahead.
When 1t was oil over the march to the west was
again begun. short distance from the hating
place another section OF lining was passed In
this were a number Of square holes cut through
into the roof, showing bad cavities in the
packing. The court passed these without much
notice, as though satisfied with what they had
seen already. This section was short, and in q
few minutes the party were once more on the
rocks
snow we shall smell POWDER" exclaimed Major
Lydecker, as the air began to grow yellow and
thick HIS words were quickly followed by cough
ing and EXPLANATIONS from the others. In mo-
ment more the tunnel was filled with smoke SO
dense that the way over the rocks could barely be
seen.
NEAR ROCK CREEK.
One hundred feet east OF the Rock Greek shaft.
in a lined portion, number OF holes cut at ran
dom through the roof, were noticed by the court,
Each one showed cavity In the lining some OF
apparent depth, and others comparatively small
In extent.
AT II 80 O'Clock Rock Creek shaft was reached,