Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-02

Thu total estimated cost is $35,OcOoOV, anu
tho Man which the government Is CON
sidering is that submitted by syndica'e
which agrees to bind itself TO prins INC
nroiect to successful accomplishment
Enelishmen are supposed to be exceeu-
,ngly wary Of anything that saVors Oh tne
illogical. but the ideas OF the syhuiSd.o
which nronoses TO build this tunnel are
ANYTHING but chimerical. 1t is arsueu 'na'
the traffic which would surely seize upvn
this avenue Of commerce between VIC
islands that constitute Great bII'din
would be more than sufficient to pay
handsome rate of interest upon the IN
vestment-not less than per cent. rms
would require a net profit Of s2l"'oVo
wear. and when one considers those
deures i'm comparison with the returns
from the freight and passenger trafhc pc
tween England and Ireland. 1t Is easy 10
see where the syndicate mas OASIS ioT
its belief. 1t is also stated that the syn
dictate has asked for a government guar
antee or subsidy, but this statement mas
not been verified.
This is not the first suggestion or
sub-aqueus connection between the Ill
yided portions of Britain. The previous
plan contemplated a tunnel beneath what
is called st. Georges channel, this being
The project was carefully considered. for
the Unsuitable commercial eye of this
country overlooks nothing. Marine en-
eineers who were questioned concerning
the matter were emphatic in their state
ments that any such idea was impracti"
cable because Of the exceptionally stormy
nature and powerful currents or 81.
Georges channel. For this reason, the
first suggestion has been held in abey-
ance until the fate Of the second one
shall be decided. 1t may now, however,
be said to be practically dead, as the
plan which the government is considering
seems entirely feasible.
The quickest way to get from England
to Ireland OF the present time is from
Hoyhead to Dublin, a distance OF sixty
four miles. The direct route by sea from
London to Liverpool is 1873 miles. From
Cork, which is practically Queenstown.
to Liverpool. IL is 2S3 miles. On basis
or miles. the land and tunnel route accord
ing TO the proposed plan, would be some
what longer than the more direct water
route of to-day. Considering the fact
that no storm would be met with, and
that stress of weather would at no time
interfere with traffic. this apparent
drawback disappears. Not only that, but II
is far easier to ship goods by rail than
ing and unloading is tremendous. Again,
there could be a regularity In the tran
shipment Of freight no matter what the
amount might be. which is not at pre-
sent enjoyed, and never can be by
water route.
The members Of the syndicate who are
willing 10 discuss the matter, say that
they have reason to believe the passen-
ger traffic would be very considerable
item in the profits. With reasonable
railroad fares and an all-land passage.
II is declared the travel between Eng
land and Ireland would be at least 90
per cent. greater than 1t Is at present.
The Irish sea is at no time gentle body
OF water. and one. Is almost as certain
OF n violent attack OF seasickness as
when crossing from Dover to Calais. The
railroad lines from England and Scot
land run direct to Point Patrick. or. at
least. some Of them do; therefore. the
only railroad building that would be ne
cessary would bo the extension OF such
lines as do not at present reach the
terminus Of the proposed tunnel. Pas
seneers from London would of necessity
have to traverse almost the entire length
of England and ride over a bit OF the
southeastern portion Of Scotland. but that
Is not such long Journey.
Emerging from the tunnel in ireland.
n short distance north ana east Of Car
rickfergus, to which town they would
proceed by rail. passengers could Journey
down TO Belfast. to Armagh. Dundalk,
and Dublin. or II preferring to 60 west
or north, could travel to Londonderry.
Donegal, or in any other direction In
which the railroads that gr1diron the
Emerald Isle would carry them. Such
. tunnel would undoubtedly give trs-