The Great Bore
A Souvenir Of The Hoosac Tunnel

i7 work, in 1868, the total length of tunnel excavated was 9,338 feet, leaving 15, 693 feet to be worked. In Consulting Engineer Latrobe’s report for 1867 it was urged that work on the tunnel hereafter be performed by contract. The question came before the legislature in the form of a bill, which resulted in an enactment authorizing a contract to be macle for completing the entire work, provided it could be clone in seven years, for $5>æ(-),000. In response to the governor’s proposals for bids, twelve, ranging from $4,027,780 to $5>378>354, were received. The contract was finally awarded to Messis. Walter and Francis Shanly, of Canada, for $4>623,o69- THE SHANLYS PUSH THE WORK TO COMPLETION. The choice was a most fortunate one. With great energy, conspicuous ability and indomitable will, through fire and flood, strikes and political bickerings, jealousy and indifference, the Shanlys steadily pushed to completion the work which they had undertaken. Everything was at once thor- oughly systematized. Air compressors, chills an nitro-glycerine, were improved and perfected. As soon as the central shaft could be sunk to grade, operations were conducted from the east and west headings and from the central and west shafts. At