The Channel Tunnel
原文
Why was the first tunnel not completed?
In 1858, a French engineer, Aime Thome de Gamond,
arrived in England with a plan for a 21-mile tunnel under the English Channel.
He said that it would be possible to build a platform in the centre of the Channel.
This platform would serve as a port and a railway station.
The tunnel would be well-ventilated if tall chimneys were built above sea level.
In 1860, a better plan was put forward by an Englishman, William Low.
He suggested that a double railway-tunnel should be built.
This would solve the problem of ventilation for if a train entered this tunnel, it would draw in fresh air behind it.
Forty-two years later a tunnel was actually begun.
If, at the time, the British had not feared invasion, it would have been completed.
The world had to wait almost another 100 years for the Channel Tunnel.
It was officially opened on March 7, 1994, finally connecting Britain to the European continent.
译文
为什么第一条隧道没有完成呢？
1858年，一位名叫艾姆·托姆·德·加蒙（Aime Thome de Gamond）的法国工程师……
他带着一个在英吉利海峡下建造一条21英里隧道的计划来到了英格兰。
他说，在英吉利海峡中央建造一个平台是可行的。
这个平台将用作港口和火车站。
如果在海平面上方建造高耸的烟囱，这条隧道将会拥有良好的通风条件。
1860年，一位名叫威廉·洛（William Low）的英国人提出了一个更完善的方案。
他建议建造一条双线铁路隧道。
这样就能解决通风问题，因为如果火车进入这条隧道，它就会把新鲜空气吸进来。
四十二年后，一条隧道真的开始修建了。
如果当时英国人不担心遭到入侵的话，这项工程就会完成了。
世界又等待了近100年，才看到了英法海底隧道的建成。
它于1994年3月7日正式启用，终于将英国与欧洲大陆连接了起来。