SINGULAR DEATHS ON THE GRAND JUNCTION CANAL - Formerly the boats on the Grand Junction and other canals were propelled through the tunnels (which were not much larger than sewers) by the process of "legging;" that is, by the power of men who lying on their backs push with their feet against the walls. Lately this primitive system has been superseded by steam-tugs, which, however, have disadvantages in the smoke and vapour they leave behind in the tunnels.
On the Grand Junction Canal near Blisworth is a tunnel, more than a mile in length, and with only one shaft for ventilation. On the 6th inst. two of these steam-tugs entered this tunnel, in which the air had probably been already vitiated. The funnels of these boats poured out into the narrow and low passage such volumes of steam, smoke, and decomposed air that the people navigating them became insensible, and before the boats emerged to pure air two men were quite dead. One of these was roasted, by his body having fallen on the engine.
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