Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-09
THE TUNNEL INVESTIGATION.
Sounder Sparrow Gives Damaging Tes-
timOny Before the Military Court.

The military court Of inquiry resumed its
investigation of the bad work on the aqueduct
tunnel at 1870 o'clock this morning. Mr..
Sparrow, the expert who is sounding the tun-
mel lining, was recalled to the stand The
original question as to the nature of his inves-
legations in the tunnel was asked him by Gen.
Ruger. and he resumed his testimony where it
was discontinued at the adjournment of
the court before the holidays, reading
from his reports to Major Lydecker
He began with the East Champlain avenue
heading, giving information as to additional
cuts he had made in that direction. His testi-
mony was in the form of notes on the cuts that
he had made at the parts where his soundings
gave indications of cavities, giving the loca-
ton of the cuts, the length of the cavities-if
any-found, the nature OF the stonework, pack
ing, and brickwork.
THE HOLES IN THE PACKING.
The cuts seemed to average about 200 feet
apart, and in almost every one a cavity was
found. These holes varied from 2 or feet to
Is or 16 feet in length, and from to 5 or feet
wide. Usually a wall was found at each end of
the cavity with solid appearance. but sounding
hollow beyond. The packing was generally
loose and badly laid on the launches of the
arch with frequent hollow soundings below.
The brickwork was generally good and solid.
There did not seem to be a super-aEundance of
cement in the packing. Timbers and stone
were sometimes encountered piled together
unfortunately so that the view was OBJ
structed, but cavities of uncertain length were
to be discerned beyond which could not be ex-
plored.
CAVE ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE FEET LONG.
In West Champlain avenue heading, station
975, cavity was found extending about los
feet in length, 8 feet wide, and high enough to
enable person to go through the cave to make
measurements. At no place was it impossible
to make Roadway. Just beyond was large,
open and dangerous cavity. In this heading
the cuts and cavities were nearer together than
in the east heading. Here there was evidence
of poor work on the upper ring of brick, al
some places the joints being open without NOR
tar One of the cuts developed state OF
things that caused MIR. Sparrow to characterize
1t as
A MISERABLE PIECE OF WORK.
The same course Of cuts, cavities, walls with
hollow sounds, and poor packing was found
throughout the heading. One cavity 1888 feet
in length was found, ten feet wide, with dry
packing over the launches. Another 331< fee
long and feet wide was also discovered. Mr.
Sparrow said that when the ''crow's nest" wal
reached he noted the roof as ..dry and hollow,
and he wanted to remove the stone around
the hole already made. Kirlin warned him
and although the packing was solit
there was no knowing what might happen
Sparrow replied that he would take care Of
whatever might run out, even If it were water
He made three cuts and found the timber worl
already mentioned in the testimony. The worl
was poor and the lining was not well protected
as had been represented. Howard university
heading was then then taken up and testimony
given as to cavities at short intervals.
At half-past twelve an hours recess wal
taken, after which the examination of Mr.
| Sparrow was resumed and continued unit
| about o'clock. He viii be called TO the stant
again tomorrow.