The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-01
THE DEEPEST HOLE.
Observations of Temperature at Depths
of More Than a Mile.

of More 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 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 a 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 observa-
tons in the deepest hole in the world.
The hole is at Schladebach, near Ket-
schan, Germany. It is 5,735 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 If it had been
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 $53, 900. At the depth of
5,735 feet, however, the engineers had
SO many mishaps that it was evident
E.. I, i'm,
of man could devise better means oper-
ations would have to be discont inued.
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drills were withdrawn and the thermo-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 11.2
inches The first drilling apparatus was
of the drop-tool form, and a casing was
sent down as the drilling progressed.
At a depth of 1877 feet the casing OF
that size would not go any further, and
the drilling was continued without it.
subsequently, casing 90 inches in
diameter had to be used through layer
of loose material. Beyond depth OF
574 feet the boring was continued by
means of diamond drill 84 inches in
diameter, that cut a core 81 inches in
diameter The size of the hole had to
be decreased gradually as the depth in
creased. At a depth of $3.50 feet the
diameter was 1.62 inches. and at 5,655
feet and beyond it was 1872 inches
Owing to two long Interruptions and
other delays, the average daily rate OF
boring was about 4. SO feet
The thermometric measurements were
begun after depth of 1886 feet had
been marked, and were repeated at
every hundred feet. The latest observa-
tions have been noted with great care
and during considerable periods of time.
The thermometers were fixed in a water
chamber, that was enclosed in
wrought-iron casing to prevent break
age Of the instrument under the pres
sure at the great depths, water being
used to clear out the hole. Three Their
mometers were used for each reading,
and the mean of their indications was
taken as the result of the measure
ment. 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 at
5,62S feet was 1873 degrees r. 1883 de-
grees Fairy, and that the increase was
degree R. for every 46. 90 metres (about
ISL feet).-N. Y. Sun.