Evening star., 1898-08-17
CLEANING THE TUNNEL
Preliminary Steps for Increasing the Water
Supply.
Preparing to Carry Out the Project of
Col. A. vi. Niiier-Retfmber-
ing the Shafts.

Col. A M. Miller, corps of engineers,
who was recently placed in charge of the
Washington aqueduct for the purpose of
executing the provisions of the act Of Con-
gress making appropriations for an in
creased water supply by the completion of
the tunnel conduit and the Howard Uni
versity reservoir, is now engaged in a Wig
orous prosecution of that important en-
cheering work. The project under which
he is working is substantially as follows
The preliminary steps in undertaking
this work will be the stoppage of the water
leak into the tunnel under Rock creek. 1t
is proposed to accomplish this by con-
structing a concrete covering over the tun-
mel where it passes under the creek. While
this work is in progress preparations Will
be made to pump out the tunnel through
the shafts. The tunnel will then he
pumped out, ard an inspection. made and
the force organized for the carrying out of
the plans OF the board Of engineering
pertS as approved by the chief of engineers
and the Secretary of War The methods of
carrying out these plans cannot be definite
ly stated. Advantage will be taken of ex-
perience gained in other works of a similar
nature, especially the repair of the tunnel
supplying the city of New York with water,
and such practical experience as may be
gained during the progress of the work.
1t is proposed to do the work by hired
labor and to purchase material by contract
or in the open market as may be most ad-
rantageous to the United States.'
Preparations Begun.
Col. Millers project, as above defined,
was fully approved by Gen. Wilson, chief
of engineers, and the operations referred
to are now fairly under way. According to
a recent report made by Col. Miller, prep
aratiops for pumping out the tunnel and
repairing the shafts were commenced on
the 18th ultimo. At Foundry Branch
derrick and hoistir engine were set up,
the grounds around the shaft leveled Oft.
the pump put in thorough repair, and the
work of eXcavating the brick and concrete
seal (placed in the shaft during the tunnel
tesD was commenced, and about half of
the material removed to date
At Rock creek shaft a hand-power derrick
has been set up, the ground around the
shaft leveled off, the road graded from the
shaft to Lyons Mil bridge and prepara-
tions made for retimbering the shaft and
repairing Lyons Mill bridge.
The Pump Repaired.
At Champlain avenue shaft the engine
and boiler of the galloway at Great Falls
have been set up and shed constructed
over them. The pump for this shaft has
been repaired and preparations have been
made for refining the shaft. At Howard
University shaft a hand-power derrick has
been set up and the old boiler moved from
the side of the shaft to the road prepara-
tory to hauling it to Foundry branch. Tie
Champlain avenue and Rock creek shafts
are being retimbered as far down the
water will permit.
Col. Miller says that the amount expend-
ed on previous projects for the tunnel and
reservoir was s2,13I, ZIG. The amount ex-
pended on the precent project during the
month of July was S2S4, leaving a balance
of available appropriations unexpended of
1894. 167. against which there are outstand-
ing liabilities for current work amounting
to 1,737.