The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-12
THE DEEPEST HOLE.
Observations of Temperature at Deptht
of More Than Mile.

of More Than a Mile.
Although mountains and cliffs have
indicated the formation and projections
of the earth's crust, and mines 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 for geolog-
ical research need not be very large,
but they must be very deep, and it is
natural to suppose that interest has
been excited by the reports of obsertn.
tons in the deepest hole in the world
The hole is at Schladebach, near Ket
schan, Germany. 1t is 5,735 feet in
depth, and is for geological research
solely. Boring was begun in 1880 unde,
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.
Outraged the engineers if it had been a
private enterprise, but it being state
work the obstacles were overcome, not
withstanding the expense, and the Dor
ing was continued for six years at cost
of more than $4,000. At the depth OF
5,735 feet, however, the engineers had
so many mishaps that it was evident
that for while and until the ingenuity
of man could devise better means oper.
atoms would have to be discontinued,
Progress was slow and the expenses
had increased beyond expectation. The
drills were withdrawn and the thermo-
metric measurements were continued
down to the lowest depth.
The initial diameter of the hole is H.. {
inches. The first drilling apparatus was
of the drop-tool form, and a casing was
sent down as the drilling progressed
At depth of 1877 feet the casing OF
that size would not go any further, and
the drilling was continued without it,
Subsequently a casing 90 inches in
diameter had to be used through layel
of loose material. Beyond depth o.
574 feet the boring was continued by
means of diamond drill S.4 inches in
diameter that cut a core 81 inches in
diameter. The size of the hole had tc
be decreased gradually as the depth in
creased. At depth of $3.50 feet the
diameter was 1.62 inches, and at 5,65i
feet and beyond it was 1872 inches
Owing to two long interruptions and
other delays, the average daily rate Of
boring was about 4.59 feet.
The thermometric measurements were
begun after depth of 1886 feet had
been marked, and were repeated a,
every hundred feet The latest observa
tions have been noted with great car,
and during considera BILE periods of time
The thermometers were fixed in water
chamber, that was enclosed in a
wrought-iron casing to prevent break
age of the instrument under the pres
sure at the great depths, water being
IL ed to clear out the hole. Three Their
mometers were used for each reading
and the mean of their indications wa,
taken as the result of the measure
mcnt. For each observation the Their
mometers were left in the hole about
sixteen hours. The observations showed
that the temperature increased regu
larly and constantly with the increase
of depth. According to the German
method of reading, the temperature a
5,62S feet was 45.S degrees R. QS3.S de
grees Fahr.) and that the increase wa:
l degree R. for every 46. 90 metres (about
Isl feet).-N. Y. Sun.