The working force at the West Shaft in July was,—
At this point there is one engine of 100-horse power and one of 40-horse power, and one compressor having four cylinders of a diameter of 13 inches and 24 inches stroke. The West heading from this shaft was advanced 293 feet, and the East heading 1,042, on the first day of December, 1866. The progress for the year ending November 1, 1866, at the heading at this point was 636.7, being a fraction over 53 feet per month. For the last four months, ending December 1, 1866, the progress was 322.1, being a fraction over 64 feet per month, which exceeds by four feet per month the highest estimate for hand-drilling by the engineers in 1862, and by thirty and one-third feet the estimate of Mr. Latrobe. The progress of the work at this heading during the last six months, making allowance for the influx of water in November, having exceeded the highest estimate for hand-drilling, should be regarded as evidence alike of the skill of the miners and the good management of the engineer and his subordinates.
Table showing the progress at West Shaft, East Heading, from November 1, 1865, to December 1, 1866.
| DATE. | Distance from shaft, feet. | Progress, feet. | |
| Nov. | 1, 1865, | 367.5 | |
| Dec. | 1, 1865, | 414.4 | 46.9 |
| Jan. | 1, 1866, | 459.4 | 45.0 |
| Feb. | 1, 1866, | 503.0 | 43.6 |
| Mar. | 1, 1866, | 546.5 | 43.5 |
| April | 1, 1866, | 584.8 | 38.3 |
| May | 1, 1866, | 623.3 | 38.5 |
| June | 1, 1866, | 682.1 | 58.8 |
| July | 1, 1866, | 746.1 | 64.0 |
| Aug. | 1, 1866, | 810.5 | 64.4 |
| Sept. | 1, 1866, | 871.4 | 60.9 |
| Oct. | 1, 1866, | 945.4 | 74.0 |
| Nov. | 1, 1866, | 1,004.2 | 58.8 |
| Dec. | 1, 1866, | 1,042.0 | 37.8 |
The West heading at this shaft was at first driven 6 feet by 11. It has been found advisable to enlarge it to the dimension of 10 feet 6 inches by 15 feet. This work has been performed by contract. The first letting was at the rate of four dollars per cubic yard, the State furnishing the materials used and removing the stone. The contractors at this rate could not pay their expenses. It was raised to six dollars per yard which was found not to pay, and in July the price was advanced to seven dollars and fifty cents. The State pay the men, charging the same to the contractors, and keep their time. Good progress is made and the work is done to the satisfaction of the engineer.
The East heading at this point was being enlarged also by contract, from 6 feet by 15, to 101/2 by 15. The work commenced on the 15th of July, 1866; the price paid is seven dollars per cubic yard; the contractors load their own stone and also that coming from the heading. The State provides the materials used, and hoist the stone to the surface. While the work of the miners at the East heading and of the contractors upon both enlargements was progressing in a very satisfactory mariner, the whole was arrested by an unexpected and somewhat sudden influx of
Water in the Tunnel.
On the 27th of November the miners working east from the West Shaft struck a seam running across the stratification of the mountain. Water soon issued from the seam at the rate of twenty-three gallons per minute. On the 29th, the water had risen at the foot of the shaft to two and a half feet above grade, and the work was stopped. The usual speed of the engine working the pump was forty-two revolutions per minute; it was increased to fifty-six, and at that rate it succeeded in preventing any further rise of the water. It became necessary to increase the power of the pumps. The plunger was enlarged from eight to ten inches, and a third lift pump was added. To affect this arrangement the pumps were stopped from 9 o'clock, A. M., December 7th, to 31/2 P. M. on the 8th. At this time the water was four feet and eight inches above grade. On the 12th the water was so much reduced that the miners recommenced work. The next day, at 2 P. M., the water was struck in large quantities, the whole flow from the heading being 100 gallons per minute. On the 14th, the work was again suspended, and unsuccessful attempts made to stop the water by means of wooden plugs driven into the seam. The pumps working with the longest stroke and at increased speed, were just able to keep the water from rising.