The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-21
TAPPING THE ROCK FOR WATER.
Barren NordenskjoId's Theory Leads TO an Inn
portnnt Discovery.

portnnt Discovery.
Baron Nordenskjold's system Of boring for
fresh water through the granite rocks of
Sweden has now been in operation for two
years. The Geographical Journal says that
forty-four wells have been bored. This is not
alone a question of finding water. but Of tho
discovery of a new and important principle.
The difficulty in obtaining good drinking
water at many of the pilot and light stations on
the rocky islets Off the Swedish coasts first in
duccd Nordenskiold to consider tho subject.
He believed from his researches in Spitzbcrgen
that n horizontal crack would generally be
found to exist in all solid rocks at an ~insignif-
cant depth beneath the carth's surface. Con-
scquently, in the Swedish rocks. he concluded
that water would be found by boring to this
crack. The only places where there was any
prospect, of such borings being undertaken were
on out-of-the-way rocks and islcts, where water
was so much needed.
In order to solve the problem. Baron Nor
denskiDld, as early as 1885, inquired respecting
the sadness of water in wells or mines near the
sea coast, and collected some important infor-
nation. He was told that several wells. in
sedimentary strata. near the sea coast. yielded
water free from salt. although the springs are
II af Information he collected 81 though far from
conclusive. appeared to point to the fact that
water obtained by boring on, rocky islands
would not be salt or brackish, but fresh drink
.Nordenski6ld. therefore. proposed to the Chief
VI tIc GlIOI pldtlOnS InhL DS sDOulu tllUW Nh
attempt at boring to be made at some suitable
station, The first boring took place in 1891. on
the little island Of Svangen, south of kosterf.
jorden. 1t WINS abandoned after reaching a
sufficient depth. because a long crack was
reached extending from the sea to the boring
hole. 1t was next taken up in May, 1894, by
Baron Ruth, the General Director for Pilots,
who. regardless of the unsuccessful boring at
Svangen, caused a second experiment to be
tried at Arko. The site selected was a fiat
place near the pilot station, the rock being com
results were very satisfactory. As soon as a
depth of about 100 feet was reached they came
to excellent water, yielding 600 quarts an hour.
At first the water was a little yellow, owing to
dust. and oil from the boring. but it soon be-
came perfectly clear. Wafer has always been
found at a depth Of 90 TO 1875 feet, and similar
borings have since been carried out successfully
at forty-four different places. At first the
water is mixed with the clay from the cracks,
the stone dust. and the oil from the machine.
and it is SOM timc before all the dirty wateris
pumped away: but soon it becomes as clear as
crystal. At Stockholm it has a temperature of
about 43' to 450 Fair.
The boring in hard. close rock would probably
Nordenskj0ld is convinced that wherever hard,
close rock exists. with variations in tempera-
ture and not permeable, water will be found in
the same WY as in Sweden. and in the same
quantity, that is. from 600 to 1000 quarts an
hour. with moderate pumping. Sites for such
bOrings could be found. for example, on many
parts of the north coast OF Africa, in Abyssinia,
In South Africa, in Spain. and other parts of the
Sinai, in Greece and Asia Minor, and in the dry
watersheds of the calons of the Colorado. In
the tropics. where there arc dry seasons. such
wells cannot supply water for extensive culti-
walton. But they will spring forth, free from
all bacteria and impurities. and will suffice for
household purposes. for small villages. and for
gardens. The practical Importance of Baron
Nordenskj0ld's discovery entities it to special
attention.