The Tunnel: the story of the Channel Tunnel, 1802-1994

In 1802 a Frenchman named Albert Mathieu put forward a proposal for an undersea passage for horse-drawn carriages between Britain and France. From that moment on, the idea of a fixed cross-Channel link has aroused the hopes and the fears of Heads of State, politicians, entrepreneurs and engineers all over the world. THE TUNNEL is the fascinating story of an argument that has lasted for nearly 200 years. Donald Hunt, a consultant to the Channel Tunnel project for over thirty years, addresses every issue raised by the Tunnel, and recounts the story in its entirety — from the visions of the early nineteenth century, to the successful Anglo-French achievement of one of the greatest engineering feats of the twentieth century. The Treaty that enabled the project to be realised was probably the most controversial ever signed by Britain. Yet the controversy as to many aspects of The Tunnel continues, and this book reveals a wealth of authoritative information about them, some of which is reassuring, some of which is deeply perturbing. The Tunnel is the fascinating story of a controversy which lasted for nearly 200 years. One side of the argument maintained that Britain should defend its island status.The other side maintained that a channel tunnel was technically viable, economically sound and would bring considerable commercial and military benefits. The book is illustrated with photographs and drawings. Donald Hunt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [276]) And Index. Transferred From The Technical Studies Inc. Collection, Baker Library, Harvard Business School, 2003. Bak