Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/148

126 have been expended in a few days, and, neither in this place, nor any where near it, could bamboos or reeds be procured. I was obliged to break up the canisters for containing the charges and substitute leather bottles in their place; this, with collecting the remains of the tubes after the explosions, has hitherto enabled us to continue the work. A supply of gun-powder must be received in a few days, there being but little remaining, which will necessarily stop the work, and a provision has I hope been made for this in time to prevent it.

Nothing, I trust, is now wanting to prove the certainty of success (if prosecuted) of this most important work, and though the extent of rock to be cleared is double what was at first supposed, still the expense will be trifling, in comparison with the advantages derived. If the testimony of the merchants of this part, and the masters of vessels, is to be taken, there is no public work now in progress looked on with more satisfaction than this.

1st April. The jumper, borer and shamrock, the latter a raft formerly used to remove the stones taken up by the windlass on the sapper, were out-boring to-day, with eight parties of sepoys—thirteen holes were made 2′ 9″ deep. The shamrock is not tarpaulined, but it worked very well. I sent out three catamarans to attend the sapper. The sapper and catamarans returned at 10, having done nothing. I laid down, at half past three, eight more buoys to the southward, which nearly completes the right side—the total space included between them is 510 yards. Tried the current at half past two

S. reef 1st trial, feet 120′ in inches 50″ or 1 miles per hour nearly.

2d  120′ in  45″ or 1

3d    45″

150 yards N. of N. reef 1st trial, feet 120′ in inches 45″ or 1 miles per hour nearly.

300 do. do. 2d do. 65″ or 1 do. do. do.

„ do. do. 3d do. 58″ or do. do. do.

The two dhonies removed 48 tons of stone, measuring 729 cubic feet

3d. The sapper, shamrock and borer proceeded to-day to the north of the northern reef. Eight men at the magazine raised one of the stones supporting the roofs, by means of two palmyra props and wedges; there was no foundation on which the props could rest; a stone sleeper was therefore placed at the depth of 5 feet. The two dhonies removed from the channel 43 tons of stone, measuring 730 cubic feet.

4th. There was great difficulty this morning in obtaining any divers. The men were consequently employed till nine a. m. in the small channel. Went out at seven with six leather cases, with