The Flagstaff sun-democrat. [volume] (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1896-1897, 1897-05-27


of man has ever conceived. 1t pro-
vides for ~ passageway, 10 he lighted
the North Channel as it is called, or
from a point in Scotland Just north of
Point Patrick To a point in Ireland
Just west Of Carrickfer gus aud several
miles north If the arm Of the sea
stretching up to Belfast, which Is
known Ms Belfast lake. The total
estimated cost is 49,. 900 900. aud the
plan which the government is cousid-
ering is that submitted by asyndicale,
which agrees to bind itself to bring
the project to successful accomplish
mpnt.
This is nat the fist suggestion of n
subaGue, Us connection between the
divided partitions Of Britain. The
previous plan contemplated n tunnel
beneath what is called ST. Georges
channel. this being the southern en-
trance to the Irish sea. The project
was carefully considered, for the in
suitable commercial eye Of Great
Britain overiooks nothing. Marine
engineers. who were questioned con-
corning the matter, were emphatic IN
Al snnh tAs4u
was impracticabe, because OF the ex-
ceptionally stormy nature aud power
full currents If ST. Georges channel.
For this reason, the first suggestion
has been held in allegiance until the
fate of the second one shall be de-
cided. 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 Eng
land To Ireland at the present time is
from Holyaead to Dublin. distance
of sixty four miles. The direct route
BY sea from London Ia Liverpool is
1873 miles. From Cork, which is
practically Queenstown. to Liverpool,
it in 2S3 miles. On basis If miles.
the land and tunnel route, accOi ding
to the proposed plan would be some
what longer than the most direct
water ronte Of to-day. Considering
u. fact that no storms would be met
with aud that stress Of weather would
at no time interfere with traffic, this
apparent drawback disappears. Not
only that, but it is far eacier to ship
goods by rail than by water. The
saving in time loading aud unloading
is tremendous. Again there could be
a regularity in the shipment Of freight
no matter what the amount might be,
which is not at present enjoyed, and
never can be by a water route.
Emerging from the tunnel In Ire
land a short distance north aud east Of
Carrickfergus. to which town they
would proceed by rail. passengers
could journey down To Belfast to
Armagh. Dundalk and Dublin. or, II
prefering to go west or north. could
travel to Londonderry. Donegal. or IN
any other direction in which the rail-
roads that gridron the emerald isle
would carry them. Such u tunnel
would undoubtedly give a tremendous
impetus to railroad building IN Ireland
and this would mean the infusion Ut
commercial spirit, which is at present
sadly lacking. Inasmuch rs close
commercial ties generally become
sinews Of friendship. the advocates OF
che tunnel declare that their plan
is well worthy Of patriotic support as
a possible key to the solution Of the
Irish problem.
The statement made in the begin
ming of this article, that the tunnel is
the largest conception OF the sort 10
she history Of the world. IS shown by
comparison with the great tunnels
completed or In prospect The tunnel
between Dover and Calais, or England
and france, would be no more Of an
undertaking SO far as the building OF
the tunnel is concerned, than has been
accomplished half a dozen times.