The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-09-28
THE DEEPEST HOLE.
Observations of Temperature Mt Depths
OF Moro Than Mile.

ODSerVatlons OF Temperature NJ Depthb
OF Moro Than 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 geologists and
scientists have desired. Borings 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 1t is
natural TO suppose that interest has
been excited by the reports OF observa-
tions in the deepest hole in the world.
The hole is at SchladebGch, near Ket-
schan, Germany. 1t is 5,T35 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
couraged the engineers II It had been
private enterprise, but 1t being state
work the obstacles were overcome, not
withstanding the expense, aud the bor-
ing was continued for six years at cost
Of more than $1,000. At the depth Of
5,735 feet, however, the engineers had
SO many mishaps that 1t was evident
that for while and until the ingenuity
Of man could devise better means oper-
ations 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drills were withdrawn and the thermo-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 llG
inches. The first drilling apparatus was
OF the drop-tool form, and 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 1t.
Subsequently, casing 92 inches In
diameter had to be used through layer
of loose material. Beyond a depth o.
b74 feet the boring was continued by
means Of diamond drill S.4 inches In
diameter, that cut core 81 inches In
diameter. The size Of the hole had u
be decreased gradually as the depth In
creased. At depth Of $50 feet tn,
diameter was 1.82 inches, and at sos
feet and beyond II was 1S2 inches
Owing TO two long interruptions ant
other delays, the average daily rate o
boring was about 459 feet.
The thermometrio measurements wer'
begun after a depth Of S,o36 feet hat
been marked, and were repeated a
every hundred feet. The latest observa
tions have been noted with great car
and during considerable periods Of time
The thermometers were fixed in 4 waite
chamber, that was enclosed In
wrought-iron casing TO prevent break
age Of the instrument under the pres
sure at the great depths, water beinl
used TO clear out the hole. Three theI
mometers were used for each reading
md the mean of their indications wa
! taken as the result Of the measure
mcnt. For each observation the ther
! mometers were left in the hole abou
| sixteen hours. The observations showe
I that the temperature increased regu
J larly and constantly with the increas
| of depth. According TO tho Germal
{ method Of reading, the temperature a
5,62s feet was 45.S degrees r. (lSS.s dc
grees Fahr.). and that the increase wa
! ! degree r. for every 49, 90 metres (abou
, 151 feet).-N. Y. Sun.