TUBE COLLAPSE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 49, Issue 15049, 30 November 1923, Page 6

TUBE COLLAPSE.

NEW DANGERS. LONDON, Wednesday. The tube accident raises a wide question of the safety of London’s tubes under the new conditions, particularly in the West End, where they are subjected to the increased pressure of higher buildings and surrounded by liigh-pres3ure water mains and a network of electric cables.

Although the official account treats the incident lightly, it is obvious that the subsidence paused only on the brink of what would lliavo been the most disastrous railway tragedy of modern times. The imagination is appalled by a consideration of the consequences of London’s main water supply pouring in and filling the deep tunnels during rush hours when they are occupied by probably 250,000 souls. As tho tubes slope to lower levels between the stations there would be no escape for thousands.

The Newington tube was newly constructed. Therefore, the accident has a peculiar interest for engineers. It had always been said that nothing short of the most violent earthquake would cause a tube collapse. Now it is evident there are other factors worthy of consideration. —Sun.

. OFFICIAL EXPLANATION. LONDON, Wednesday. It is officially explained that the collapse of the tube was caused through excavation while the tunnel was being enlarged. The excavation works had conic into contact with an old storage well, and this caused an inrush of sand and water into,the tunnel, leaving a craterlike empty space beneath the surface of the road. Being thus robbed of their support, the water and gas mains collapsed, and the gas main, in breaking, released gas which, mixing with air m the cavity, formed an explosive which then caused the fire. The accident was in every way. exceptional, and an assurance was given that the public need not entertain fear regarding the general security of tube railways or gas mains. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.