Page:Whymper - Scrambles amongst the Alps.djvu/99

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chap. iii.
DIFFICULTIES AT THE COMMENCEMENT.
69

"In April, the improvements introduced, and the practice acquired, caused better progress, and in the middle of the month the work of perforation was accomplished in eight or nine hours."

"In the month of May, when nine perforatrices were at length at work, progress was stopped by exterior causes, and was suspended for two months."

"From July to the 19th of August the work was continued, but only one attack per day was made, on account of there not being a sufficient number of instructed persons to carry on the work incessantly. Still it was carried on with regularity, and the advance was 28 inches to 3 feet per day. The perforation was generally accomplished in six hours."

"From the 19th of August the work was continued day and night, but at first, in consequence of the inexperience of some of the employées, the depth of the holes had to be reduced to two feet, and that depth occupied them twelve hours. Little by little this fresh band of workmen became as skilful as the first, and at the end of two months the two attacks were carried on with regularity."[1] The best form of boring-rod for all kinds of rock, excepting such as are homogeneous, was hit upon in 1861, and it has been in use ever since. The head is in the form of a Z. For homogeneous

  1. On the Italian side, in order to advance one metre:—
    1862. 1863.
    120 holes, each 30 to 32 inches in depth, had to be bored.

    110 lbs. of powder were consumed.
    200 mètres of match.
    190 drills were put hors de combat.

    96 holes, 36 inches deep, were bored.

    94½ lbs. of powder were consumed
    210 mètres of match.
    185 drills were used up

    On the French side, in order to advance one metre:—

    1863

    103 holes, 34 inches deep, were bored.
    125¼ lbs. of powder were consumed
    200 mètres of match.
    158 drills were used up

    Conic.