Engineering. 21$ 



ENGINEERING. 



A direct communication between the counties of Kent 

 and Eflex has been projected by Mr. Dodd, engineer, by 

 means which we think well calculated to anfwer the intended 

 purpofe. He propofes a cylindrical tunnel under the river 

 Thames, from Gravefend to Tilbury, to be conftructed 

 wholly with key-ftones, and therefore able to bear any pref- 

 fure; the diameter to be iixteen feet in the clear, which 

 Mr. Dodd imagines will be fufficient for foot, horfe, and 

 carriage-paffengers; the paffage to be illuminated with lamps, 

 and a fteam-engine to be erecled in a proper Situation to 

 draw off the drainage water, if any fhould accumulate. 



The expence of this flupendous undertaking is eftirnatedl 

 at fo low a fum as 15,955k for 900 yards of tunnelling, re- 

 laving the bottom, lamps, lamp-irons, fteam-engine, pipes, 

 and other neceflary machinery. 



' This projected meafure will fave a circuitous route of 

 fifty miles by land (the diitance from Gravefend to Til- 

 bury, along London-Bridge). Independent of the advantage 

 it would afford to commercial eftabliftiments and agricultu- 

 ral improvements, the general benefit to the counties of Kent 

 and Effex mult be immenfe. 



Mr. Dodd is of opinion, that, whether the meafure is con- 

 sidered as a great national improvement, or a local one to 

 the two counties, of forming a military poft of the firft con- 

 fequence in that part of the kingdom, for enabling troops, 

 8cc. to pafs through, its importance claims the greateft at- 

 tention. Another queftion he fuggefts, is, what may be the 

 mod proper method of raiting the fupplies to defray the ex- 

 pence of the undertaking — whether by the joint expence of 

 both counties, or by a fubfcription of private individuals, in- 

 corporated by Parliament, with authority to levy tolls? The 

 latter mode he is convinced would be beneficial to the indi- 

 viduals, and amply repay the Share-holders. 



The following are the eftimates of the expence, as fug- 

 gtfted by Mr. Dodd, in the firft inftance : 



To 



