The Spanish-American republics (1891) (14760979454)

Identifier: gri_spanishameri00chil (find matches)
Title: The Spanish-American republics
Year: 1891 (1890s)
Authors: Child, Theodore, 1846-1892
Subjects:
Publisher: New York, Harper & brothers
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute



Text Appearing Before Image:
auge were employed, and at the same time permits sharp curves ofshort radius, whereas a broader gauge would require curves of 250 to300 metres. As the line is singularly tortuous and the curves in-numerable, this consideration of sharp curves is very important. As to price, the engineers of the line believe that the transandinewill be relatively cheaper than the Saint Gothard; the works are be-ing executed much more roughly, it is true; but all statements on thispoint would be hazardous and premature. It suffices to say that thereis money enough at command to complete it, whatever it may cost. The great work of boring the tunnels will take some years, but asthey are broken up into sections the task will not be so long as someanticipate. When I passed over the ground the faces of the summittunnels were being cleared, and the drills, it is hoped, will be in posi-tion before the end of 1890. The machinery used will be the Fer-roux rock-drills, which were employed in the works of the Mont
Text Appearing After Image:
JUNCTION OF THE RIVERS JUNCAL AND BLANCO (CHILIAN SIDE). ACROSS THE ANDES. 59 Cenis, Saint Gothard, and Arlberg tunnels, the motive power beingelectricity. At Juncal is a water-fall of 180 metres, which will be uti-lized to drive 75-horse-power turbines of two feet diameter, with verti-cal axes, which will work the dynamos directly. The motive force forthe Portillo, Calveras, and Cumbre tunnels will therefore be concen-trated at Juncal, and distributed by means of cables to the receivingdynamos at the various points where air-compressors and drills willbe at work. The turbines used are made by Escher, Wyss & Co., ofZurich. At the lowest estimate the boring of the tunnels will takefrom three and a half to four years, providing, as it is believed, thatthe work underground can continue winter and summer without in-termission. The rock of the Cumbre is porphyric, while in the lowervalleys it is chiefly granitic and basaltic. In the centre of the Cum-bre it is likely that granite will