Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 57, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1919 — FAMOUS AS GREAT ENGINEER [ARTICLE]

FAMOUS AS GREAT ENGINEER

Mark Isambard Brunei Won High Rank Among Men Noted for Their Service to the World. Sir Mark Isambard Brunei, engineer of the Thames tunnel, died at London, December 12, 1849. The great enterprise by which he became popularly distinguished was the tunnel connecting the shores of Essex and Kent. One day Brunei conceived the construction of a cast-iron shield, which should bore like an auger by means of strong hydraulic screws, while as fast as the earth was cut away, bricklayers should be at hand to replace it with an arch. He patented the plan and revived the project of a road under the Thames. In 1824 the Thames Tunnel company was formed, and the next year the work started and was pursued through mauy difficulties from explosions of gas and eruptions of water —until 1828. At the beginning of that year about 60b feet had been completed when the river broke through and six men were drowned. Work was suspended until 1835, when the government advanced the company over a million dollars. At last the feet was completed and the tunnel opened on the 25th of March, 1843. Brunei was knighted by the queen and his fame was borne to the ends of the earth.