Scientific American Supplement, No. 561, October 2, 1886 by Various
page 77 of 163 (47%)
page 77 of 163 (47%)
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The Chancelade quarries near Perigneux, which caved in Oct. 22, 1885, under circumstances that are still fresh in the minds of all, have gained a celebrity that renders it unnecessary for us to revert to the details of the catastrophe. It will suffice to recall the fact that after the accident a private committee was formed for the purpose of making an attempt to save the five victims who had been surprised in the drifts, and who happened to be in the bottom levels. [Illustration: FIG. 1.--PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPLORING APPARATUS.] The Lippmann establishment at once offered to make a boring by means of which it would be possible to communicate with the galleries in which the men were imprisoned, but, despite the most active efforts, success was found impossible. In order to satisfy public opinion, the committee resolved to bore a well 12 inches in diameter to a depth of 23 feet, that should permit of reaching the gallery; but this did not render the latter accessible. How was it to be seen what had occurred, how was it to be made certain that the men were dead, and that all hope of rescue must be abandoned? To Mr. Langlois, a Parisian photographer, was confided an order to construct a special apparatus which might be let down to the bottom of the well by a cord, and which, being capable of operating from a distance, should furnish the required information through sensitized plates. As may be seen, this operation presented peculiar difficulties, although Mr. Langlois was enabled to overcome these with much skill. The photographic apparatus that the ingenious operator constructed was contained in a metallic case that could be let down into the bore hole. The upper and lower parts of the contrivance were provided with |
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