The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-08-09
PLAN FOR A TUNNEL,
UNDER THE SHIP CANAL.

OONhAAN - E4iAN fOh "A TUNNEL
UNDER THE SHIP CANAL.
Away back in 1892, the board of
public works yearned for a tunnel un.
der the ship canal, then only $50 feet
wide. Hemp Truelsen was president
of the board at that time, and his fell
low members were Capt. j. A. Farrell
and Nils Nilsson. In the latter part
of 1892, the board Of public works Of
fered prize of $1,000 for the most
acceptable plans for ship canal tun.
mel.
Near the first of 1893, the compel
ing plans began to roll in. At least
% sets were received. The board Of
public works then employed Samuel G.
Artingsall of Chicago, an eminent en-.
glneer, to pass on the plans and award
the prize. The contest was won by
G. G. Conklin Of Scranton, Pa. The
members Of the board of public works
returned from Chicago on Jan. II,
1893, after the award was made.
Mr.. Conklin g plans called for a con-
crete tunnel lined with brick. His
estimate Of cost was $685. 900. MI.
Artingstall, possibly man with
greater practical engineering exper.
fence, believed that 96,400 would be
nearer the cost at that time, but he
showed how certain notifications, not
impairing the strength or real eff
cheney Of the tunnel, would bring the
cost down to about $4,000.
Mr.. Conklin's plans called for a
combined railroad tunnel, a roadway
tunnel and footway. The total width
of the improvement, as planned, was
IS feet. The extreme height from
top to bottom was 80 feet. The ex-
treme top was 26 feet below the water
level Of the canal in the center and
% feet at the sides.
The roadway was planned for the
right side,. going towards the canal
from Superior street. This was 20
feet wide and IA feet gh at the top
Of the arch. The railway tunnel, as
planned, was on the left, IA feet wide
and Is feet high. The footway, 8xS
feet, was between the railway and the
driveway tunnels.
The tunnel approach from the main
land side was at point 2S5 feet south
of Railroad street. Plans called for
an open approach $50 feet long, with
grade Of 1862 per cent, not quite
so steep as the grade of the Lake ave-
nue. viaduct. The tunnel under the
canal proper was $50 feet. Since then,
the canal has been widened so feet,
and more at the inner entrance.
TIL Park Point approach to the rail-
road section Of the tunnel was 14.10
fee, if printed records are correct, on
grade Of 2.5 per cent, with an open
approach 10 feet long, starting on st.
Louis avenue and ending at Minnesota
avenue.
the roadway section of the tunnel
was planned to start at Buchanan
street on the mainland side, with an
open approach Of 305 feet and closed
approach of $40 feet. On the Park
Point side, the open approach was
2s5 feet and the closed portion SIS
feet.
At that time, the gravel and sand
from the excavation were considered
valuable item in the construction.
The system of construction called for
open excavation, properly sheeted and
braced, Golfer dam being provided
for the portion actually under the ship
canal. The concrete tube was to be
lined foot thick with brick, set in
concrete outside Of the canal, but in
asphaltum under the canal, where
leakage would be greatest. The plans
also provided for a slight curve in
the tunnel under the canal, if memory
is correct.