1840.] Boring operations in Fort William. G83 



From the 10th to the 15th February, 1840, the work was pro- 

 secuted night and day without intermission, as a final effort to remove 

 the sand which had accumulated over the broken instrument, rod, 

 &c. and thus to admit of another tool (designed by Sergeant Long, 

 hurst. Sappers and Miners) to be used with greater facility. This 

 tool shewn in sketch No. IV. consisted of an iron rod with four 

 strong palls attached to it, and so constructed, that while the tube 

 was passing down the tubing, or within the bell of the broken in- 

 strument, they lay close to the rod, but on its passing completely 

 through, they moved on their axes and caught underneath the tubing 

 or bell, so as to give fulcra for the force from above to act upon. 

 In this instance, however, as before, the attempt terminated in dis- 

 appointment, for though the broken instrument was occasionally 

 raised a few feet, every exertion failed in raising it to the surface. 



A long continuance of unceasing exertion on the part of those 

 employed having thus proved insufficient for the removal of these 

 obstacles, the Committee considered it their duty to discontinue, and 

 were on the eve of communicating to Government their unanimous 

 opinion that a further prosecution of the boring operations would only 

 be incurring expense, for which there was no prospect of any adequate 

 return, when it was suggested to them that some good effect might re- 

 sult from the explosion of a charge of powder, contained in a water- 

 tight case, in the immediate vicinity of the broken tool and jumper. 

 The Committee deeming it possible that the concussion thereby caused 

 might loosen the hold of the jumper, or fracture the broken tool, so as 

 to admit of its fragments being raised to the surface, and willing to 

 adopt any expedient which promised them the power of continuing 

 their labours, determined to make the proposed experiment. There 

 was reason to believe that the steel arms of the lifting tool were con- 

 siderably expanded and in contact on each side with the tubing, 

 it was therefore desirable that the powder should be lodged within the 

 arms, so that they at least might be broken in pieces by the first ex- 

 plosion. With this view a strong tin case, carefully soldered and 

 terminating in a pointed extremity, was prepared for the reception of 

 about 15 tbs of powder, but preparatory to charging it for explosion it 

 was filled with dry sand, firmly plugged up, covered with water-proof 

 composition, and lowered to the bottom of the bore. On raising it 



