Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-08-06
DEEPEST HOLE IN THE EARTH.
Il Extends More Than Mile, and IL Ho
ut the End.

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IL Extends Moro Than Mile, and IL Hot
ut the End.
Although mountains and cliffs have
Indicated the formation of projections
of the earth's crust, and uNines have
shown to some extent the formation
under ground, the very deepest mines
have not permitted the extensive and
minute researches that biologists and
scientists have desired. Behring'S are
limited, Of course, by natural obstacles,
like exceedingly hard formations, and
by the expense, unless the purpose be
to ascertain the location Of minerals
worth mining, or get supply OF water,
as in artesian wells Holes icr geo
logical research need not be very large,
according to the Sun, but they must DO
very deep, and it is natural to suppose
that interest has been excited by the re-
ports of observations in the deepest hole
in the world.
The hole is at Schladebach, near
Ketschan, Germany. 1t is 5,7SS feet IN
depth, and is for geological research
solely. Boring was begun in 1880 under
the direction of the Royal Mines COM
mission of Prussia. The work was car
ried on under great difficulties, and the
accidents and delays would have dis
courged the engineers If 1t had been
private enterprise, but it being state
work the obstacles were overcome, not
withstanding the expense, and the bor-
ing was continued for six years ut n
cost of more than $5S, 900. At the depth
of 5,735 feet, however, the engineers
had so many mishaps that it was evil
dent that for awhile and until the in
gcnuity of man could devise better
means operations would have to be dis
continued. Progress was slow and the
expenses had increased beyond expecta-
ton. The drills were withdrawn and
the thermometric measurements were
continued down to the lowest depth.
The initial diameter of the hole is 11.2
inches. The first drilling apparatus
was of the drop-tool form, and casing
was sent down as the drilling pro-
crossed. At n depth Of ISL feet the
casing of that size would not so any
further, and the drilling was continued
without it Subsequently casing go
inches in diameter had to be used
through layer OF loose material Be-
yond depth of 574 feet the boring was
continued by means of diamond drill
81 inches in diameter The size of the
hole had to be decreased gradually rs
the depth increased. At depth of
$50 feet the diameter was 1.62 inches,
and at $685. feet and beyond it was
1.32 inches. Owing to two long inter-
ruptions and other delays, the ,.verage
daily rate was about 80 feet.
The thermometric measurements were
begun after depth OF 1896 feet, had
been marked and were repeated at
every hundred feet. The latest observa-
tons have been noted with great care
and during considerable periods OF time.
The Thermometers were fixed in water
chamber that was inclosed in
wrought-iron casing to prevent break
nge OF the instrument under the pres
sure of the great depths, water being
used to clear out the hole. Three Their
MON eters were used for each reading,
and the mean Of their indications was
taken as the result of the measurement.
For each observation this thermometers
were left in the hole about sixteen
hours. The observation showed that
the temperature increased regularly
and constantly with the increase of
depth. According to the German
method of reading, the temperature at
5,62s feet was 45.S degrees 4. (13S.S de-
grees Fair. J, and the increase was de-
gree T. for every As. 90 meters about Isl
feet).-Chicago Journal.