Discussion on the Proposed Channel Tunnel. 47 



the necessity for extreme sinking would be averted, and the 

 estimated cost would be about six and a half millions. Though, 

 as a matter of length and estimate, this is a very feasible route; 

 it has this drawback, that it is so very far away. We want to 

 get straight across to Scotland ; but to get to Glasgow by this 

 route we must construct about 100 miles of new line, while 

 on the Irish side we should have to construct a line of about 

 twenty-four miles from Cushendall to Larne, and also a line to 

 Ballymoney for the purpose of communication with Derry; 

 and in my estimate of six and a half millions I have not included 

 the cost of these railways. The next route to which I will call 

 attention is the No. 3 route, which is from Whitehead to a 

 little north of Portpatrick. This route was brought before the 

 public by Mr. M'Cullough, an engineer of considerable experi- 

 ence in Belfast, and has been commented upon pretty favour- 

 ably in English and Scotch journals. Mr. M'Cullough has this 

 advantage, that while he avoids the trough which I have already 

 spoken of, he gets at the same time a comparatively short line. 

 For the sea length there would be about twenty-seven miles. 

 The depth of the water is some 650 feet. His estimate is seven 

 millions. It practically gives us as good a railway connection on 

 the Scotch side as the Donaghadee route, and practically also 

 as good a connection with Belfast. The next scheme which 

 has been brought before the public is that suggested by Messrs. 

 Barton. It came before the public a considerable time after 

 Mr. M'Cullough's. Mr. Barton, as we are all aware, attended 

 in the Town Hall and explained his scheme, but he admitted 

 that it was so far only a preliminary investigation. No actual 

 soundings have been taken further than the Admiralty sound- 

 ings, to determine the nature of the route, and no borings have 

 been taken to test the rocks. Mr. Barton offered no opinion as 

 to the geological character of the route, but he brought in Pro- 

 fessor Hull to explain his views, and he told us that the data at 

 his disposal were sufficient to enable him to form an idea of the 

 rocks. But he did not give us his data, and that was unfor- 

 tunate ; for when we come before the public with schemes of that 



