46 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



of chalk thus romovcd witli lOOlbs. of powder, no less than 1,748 tons. In 

 a few minutes after the first explosion, the signal for firinf; was again given, 

 and the second mass similarly followed the tirst ; Ihxis this immense work, 

 which if executed by manual labour only would be very costly, is now 

 carried on at a comparatively trifling expense both of time and money. 



The double or parallel tunnels are being formed by tirst drawing a heading 

 six feet high and four feet wide, the top of each headhig being within two feet 

 of the intended roof of the tunnel, the headings arc worked in o]>posite 

 directions from shafts sunk from the surface above, and the excavated chalk 

 is removed by side headings or driftways at right angles to the direction of 

 the tunnel and leading to the face of the clifl', where it is thrown into the 

 sea ; a trainway is formed along these drifts baring an inclination of 1 in :50 ; 

 the waggons when loaded from the heading are easily pushed by one man 

 down the trainway to the face of the cliff, he teems its contents into the sea, 

 and upon such an inclination is easily able to push the waggon back again 

 into the workings for anotlier load ; by such judicious arrangements the cost 

 of the earthwork of the tunnels is reduced very considerably, compared 

 with that of similar great undertakings. Upon an examination of these 

 works we could not but notice the precision with which the direction of the 

 various headings had been preserved during the excavation, for we could not 

 discern the least deviation from the right line where the workings met from 

 opposite directions. 



REPOnX OF THE ENGINEER TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE 

 LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY. 



Gentlemen, — The- state and condition of tlie Works up to the present time 

 are as follows: — 



On CdNTRACT, No. 1. — Tile contractor has completed the bridge at Combe 

 Lane, and has cut through tlie high ground iu the late Mr. Cliolletl's land, and 

 foi'med tlie embankment across Birdhurst Lodge, and cut through the hill 

 beyond, and built a bridge over the lane on the south of the bill, and the 

 embankment is carried some way over this bridge. 



An occupation bridge is also built, and the road formed under it. The 

 Works here are so well put together, that the temporary rails will be immedi- 

 ately laid down for half a mile, and then the long embankments will be more 

 rapidly proceeded with. 



The works are also commenced at the junction with the Croydon railway 

 up to the cross-roads at Croydon counuon, and the contractor has laid in a 

 large supply of materials for the remainder of the bridges, which will be com- 

 menced as soon as the weather is sufficiently settled. There are at present 

 employed on this contract 170 men and 13 horses. 



Contracts, Nos. 2 and 3, are let to one contractor. All the cuttings but 

 one on No. 2 contract are in active execution : the Coulsdonroad bridge, and 

 the occupation bridge No. 5, are nearly complete; the approaches will be 

 finished in a few days : the culverts and brickwork are all in jirogress, and 

 the temporary rails will in a short time be laid upon a great portion of the 

 work. 



Considerable progress has been made in the excavations of No. 3 contract, 

 and although tlie contractor ought to have done more work in the time, yet the 

 w.antof lodging and accommodation for the workmen has been a great draw- 

 back to him, but as buildings are now erected for the extra accommodation 

 of above eight hundred men. I shall compel him to use his utmost exertions. 



There are at present, however, employed on these two contracts seven hun- 

 dre,l and fifty four men, and thirty-two horses. 



Contract, No. 4. — Mebstham Tunnel. — The contractor has got all the 

 shafts but one sunk to the bottom of the Tunnel, and that one is sunk to the 

 level of the top of the Tunnel. 



The driftway between the shafts is in progress, that between the trial shaft 

 at the north end of the Tunnel and the first working shaft is completed, as 

 Avell as the driftway between the trial shaft at the south end of the Tunnel 

 anil the last working shaft. This Tunnel is perfectly free from water, and 

 the chalk is exceedingly hard and compact. 



There are at work on this contract 162 men and 9 horses. 



The extra contract at Merstham for the diversions of tlie turnpike |road is 

 proceeding iu a satisfactory manner, although the contractor was at first 

 delayed by not having possession of the Merstham tram-road. 



There are 120 men and 30 horses at WQjk on these roads. 



Contract, No. .0. — The coutractors have been at work little more than 

 one month, and tliey have commenced upon cuttings Nos. I and 2, and on 

 the side cutting for the large embankment on Earl's Wood common. The 

 bridge over the mill-stream at iMerstham is nearly completed, and they are 

 proceeding in a very satisfactory manner. I am informed they will have 

 possession of some laud they require for temporary purposes iu about a week, 

 when they will be enabled to make greater progress. 



There are 337 men and 28 horses at work upon this contract. 



Contract, No. 6. — The contractors have been at work on this contract 

 about one month, and as they have only possession of part of the land, are 

 obliged to confine their opiraliims to the side cutting on the Low Lands at 

 Ilorley. They have fenced off most of the land they are in possession of. 



There are at work on this contract 1.58 men and 10 horses. 



Contract, No. 7. — The contractor is at work upon the cuttings that will 

 require the longest time to execute, and is going on in a very satisfactory man- 

 ner. About three miles of this contract, is of so light a description of work, 

 that it is not necessary at present to enter upon it, 



There aie at work 220 men and 10 horses. 



Contract, No. 8.— Balcombe Tcnnel. — There are five working shafts at 

 this Tunnel, besides two trial shafts which are sunk down to the bottom of the 

 Tunnel, as well as two air shafts: one working shaft is finished. Two othera 

 are sunk down within five yards of the top of the Tunnel, another within 

 14 yards, and the third within 20 yards, and they are all proceeding night 

 and day. 



The water here has been found in greater quantities than I anticipated, I have 

 therefore caused an adit to be driven up from the Brook Course, about 350 

 yards long, which is finished, and has tapped the water at the level of the 

 bottom of the Tunnel, whicli it carries clear olT the workings as fast as we 

 get them opened out. 



The driftway at the soutli end of the Tunnel has been completed to within a 

 few yards of the first working shaft, and lays the work dry as it proceeds. 

 The driftway is also going on between the north trial shaft and the northern 

 working shaft. The total length of driflw.iy at present complete is 280 yards 

 in length. When the driftway is finished the wh.de of the water will run off 

 of itself, and the Tunnel for ever afterwards be perfectly dry. 



'I'he contractor has at present 225 men and LO horses at work upon this 

 contract. 



Contracts, Nos. 9, 10, II, and 12. — These contracts are all let, and the 

 contractors are actively engaged in casting up brick earth, preparing materials 

 and g^etting them to the ground, to commence the work immediately the 

 weather will permit. 



Contr icT, No. 13. — This contract was entered upon la.st September, and 

 the contractor has pushed on the work with spirit, and has made a con- 

 siderable advance with the cuttings and embankments. He has completed 

 and ballasted half-a-niile of i-oad, ready to i-eceive the permanent rails, which 

 are in course of deli\'ery. He has also a very large quantity of temporary 

 rails. 



The contractor has 300 men, 30 horses, and GO waggons at work on this 

 contract. 



No. 14 Contract — Ci. vyton Tinnel. — There are 10 working shafts at 

 this tunnel, besides a trial sliaft at each end ; tive of the working shafts are 

 complete, four are sunk to the top of the tunnel, and the remaining one is 

 within about 18 yards. 



In sinking the t-iial-shaft at the north end of the tunnel, an impervious 

 strata was found cropping up to the north, which prevented the water running 

 off. I therefore ordered an adit to be driven up from the low ground to the 

 trial shaft, which when cut through the impervious strata on a level with the 

 bottom of the tunnel, will let off the whole of the water, and no moro can in 

 future accumulate. 



The driftway between the shafts is being driven, and has been opened out 

 between two of them. The chalk is firm and bard. 



The contractors have at present 143 men and two horses at work on this 

 contract. 



The Company have obtained possession of lands for making bricks for the 

 Tunnels and other works at convenient situations, and brick earth has been 

 cast up, and early iu the spring there will be a large supply ready for use. 



Contracts, Nos. l.'j, IG, and 18. — These contracts extend from the 

 south end of the Clayton Tunnel to the station at Brighton, as well as the 

 station itself, and are all now advertised, and willbe let on the 14th of March next. 



Contract, No. 17. — The Siioreham Branch. — The contractor has pro- 

 ceeded much to my satisfaction. He has got most of the bridges built, several 

 cuttings are opened, and the embankments formed, 2^ miles of road are formed ; 

 the ballast is being put upon it, and the permanent rails will be laid down 

 immediately. 



A locomotive engine has arrived at Shoreham, which will be at work upon 

 the line as soon as the rails are laid. This will materially expedite the form- 

 ing of the embankments, and I expect this contract will be completed in 

 Sejjtember next, when the Shoreham bramch will be opened to the public, 

 wliich will be of great advantage in conveying materials for the main line. 

 The contractor has at present 280 men and 40 horses at work. 



A large supply of rails, blocks, sleei>ers and chairs have arrived, and more 

 are daily expected. 



The following is a summary of the number of men and horses employed 

 on the whole of the works : — 



No. Men. Horses. 



On Contract 1 170 13 



2 468 23 



3 286 9 



4 162 !» 



Turnpike-road diversions at Merstham 120 36 



On Contract 5 337 28 



6 158 10 



7 220 10 



8 225 15 



13 300 30 



14 143 2 



17 280 40 



Total 2869 22.5 



This amoimt is exclusive of men casting and preparing brick earth. 



The works now let and in operation extend over a distance of 41^ miles, 

 and are to be finished by tlie middle of August, 1840; and I cannot conclude 

 this Report without expressing my satisfaction at the rapid progress of the 

 works. I am. Gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 



London, Jan. 16, 1839. JOHN V, RASTRICK. 



