New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-05
CHANNEL TUNNEL
PROJECT RIPENS
Plan Beginning to Win
Over Many Influential
Englishmen.

lrrom Tho Tribune Correspondent
Paris, June 81. Now that the great
Panama Canal is virtually open TO
navigation European Interest," pe-
cially French sentiments directed to
the huge engineering operation OF
piercing a tunnel between France and
England under the sea. The construc'
ton Of this tunnel has long been OPP
posed in England from strategical mo-
tives, as well as from strong feeling
OF tradition. The opposition, however,
20 linking the two countries together
by a land communication beneath the
seven leagues Of water seems to nave
weakened i'm the course OF time, ana
the building of the tunnel has in re-
cent years found many influential ad-
vocates. The French would welcome
the execution of this great undertak'
ing with Joy as another link between
the two friendly neighbors and also
As an advantage to commerce.
Believing that its construction IS
within measurable distance French
plans on the mode Of procedure IN car
wing out the work and the results 70
be attained are interesting.
to the depth of orc hundred metre -
rather more than ;hree hundred feet
50 as to reach the bottom Of the
chalky stratum. From these points
trial gallery would be pierced slant
ing upward, TO the level at which he
tunnel itself would slope downward
from the shore toward the centre Of
the channel. This experimental gal
I, In
would be used 20 fix the axis of the
real tunnel. traced above by boring
perpendicular branching shafts. These
operations, conducted on both sides.
would meet under the middle Of the
channel.
By this very rapid plan the tunnel
can be bored throughout ii from five
to six year. The cost would amount,
j. round figures, 10 about $o0,O0O.OOO.
The tunnel would star, on the French
coast at Wissant and would be joined
to the main line Of the French North
ern Railway near Calais. On the Brit
ISL side The tunnel would reach the
village Of MaXtOn. near Dover. after
covering distance beneath sea and
land o. fifty-four kilometres, or about
thirty-three and q half miles, Of which
distance about thirty miles would lie
beneath the sea.
It IS thought thai fifty trains would
pass through the tunnel daily from the
STAR. Passenger trains would require
forty minutes 20 run through from
side TO side. Freight trains would need
an hour. Power would be supplied by
electricity.
Trains running from London 20 Paris
would stop al siding at Wissant ANA,
after changing the electrical engine
Tor a steam locomotive. would continue
the journey TO Paris. The same opera
ton would take place with trains
reaching the English coast on their
way TO London
in order to satisfy British ScrupieS
concerning national defence arrange
nents would be made for placing cX-
plosive mines at both ends Of the
tunnel; moreover the exit Of the tun-
ne! OF the English side would be int
mediately under the direct fire OF the
guns of Dover Castle.
Power stations would be built, one
at each end of the tunnel The Eng
lish power works would furnish the
current for trains coming from France,
whereas the French works would set
IN motion those coming from England.
In this way either country could stop
any train from access TO its shores.
Hence. it is believed here. no national
or military difficulties can be opposed
10 the building of the long dreamed of
submarine artery between Lngland and
T. rance