Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-11-21

On st. Patrlck's Day. March II. 1864. the
first shovelful OF earth was removed amid
ceremonies of an interesting and impress
sive character, and the great undertaking
was commenced The shore shalt was sunk
on the side of the old pumping works. at
the east end of Chicago avenue, on the
shore of the lake. 1t was made about 9
feet in diameter. and 60 feet in depth. This
was lined for 26 feet with n cast-iron cyln-
der feet in diameter and "a inches in
thickness. below the cylinder The lining
bong of brick.
With the completion of the shaft began
itors of the London Times. then in Chi
cago. declared to be -the greatest OF mod
ern times"
The point in the lake where the tunnel
should terminate had been determined and
marked with buoys. but the great difhculty
was to run 1t in exactly the right direction
since the magnetic needle could not be re-
lied upon for surveying below the surface
OF the lake. The only method OF proceed
ure was to run the axis of the tunnel par
az aliei with VI line drawn over the top of the
shaft in exactly the right direction.
Inc work OF tunneling was now begun in
real earnest The width of the tunnel when
Dr1cked up was to be 1--WE feet and its height
1ive feet and two inches. the top and bot
tom arches being semi circles, with two
inches between. The space to be excavated
being limited. but two men could work at
one time; these were frequently relieved,
and the work kept up night and day. with
out cessation.
Close behind the miners with their picks
came the masons with their trowels. The
masonry. OF illinois white brick. was eight
inches in thickness, the bricks being laid
lengthwise, with toothing joints to give
them greater strength
In this tedious way the workmen forced
the great bore on under the lake. from
fourteen to twenty feet being considered
good progress for twenty-four hours.
xxraa nj tA1
iron rails were laid, upon which small cars
were run to remove the clay to the shalt
where it was elevated by steam power. At
first the cars were pushed by men. but as
the bore heightened this became too slow
and laborious. and two small mules were
lowered through the shaft and used there
after as the motive power.
AS each thousand feet was completed
chambers were dug in which brick mortar.
and other supplies could be stored and cars
turned around.
AS has been stated the magnetic needlei
cannot be depended upon in SUI veying be-
low the ground, but tho level was in con-l
StGnt use. and by its means exactly tn,
proper depth was constantly mantained.t
The tunnel was built with Il slope of twol
feet to the mile in the direction of thei
shore. that 1t might be emptied in case of
necessity. This was doae few years ag OF
and the tunnel inspected by Chief En-
gineer. now Mayor Cregier. He found it toI
be in perfect order, not single crack orr
break being visible.
But the most remarkable part of the un-l
dertaking was performed at the lake end of
the tunnel. The crib" was constructed,
on shore. 1t is composed of huge timbersl
bolted together. 1t is 40% feet high. in)
pentagonal form. and nearly 100 feet inI
diameter. 1t was built in three sections or,
walls. one within the other. all so boltedI
together as to form one vast structure. AT
the corners it was armed with iron platesI
to protect 1t from floating ice. or any OBJ
ject in the water. Computed in board
measure" over 600000 feet Of lumber wass
used. together with G5 tons of iron bolts;
and 800 bales Of oakum for calking. Bel
fore it was moved from the stocks where i'll
was built 100000 had been expended,
upon it.
On July "a. 1865. this vast structure was
launched. and amid great excitement towed
out to the place selected. There the COM
partments between the different sectionsI
were filled with stone and the crib sunk toI
the bottom of the lake. where it was FIRMLY
secured by means of marine mooringi
screws, here used for the first time inl
America.
This accomplished. q shaft was sunk likel
the one on the shore and the work of tun i
neling was begun from the lake end of theI
submarine bore. The entire length OF the
tunnel is 10.587 feet. OF which about four-i
hfths was constructed from the shore end