Other Interesting Crossings

1785 John Jeffries and Jean Pierre Blanchard first crossed the Channel by balloon.

1875 Captain Matthew Webb swam across the channel. Thousands of people have done this since then.

1883 William Terry rode from Midlands of England to Dover on tricycle, which changed into a rowing boat and took him across to France.

1934 The Frenchman Monsieur Flourens tried to cross from France on a huge rubber ball.

1959 The first British hovercraft crossed from Calais to Dover in two hours three minutes.

Every year ‘mad’ Englishmen try to cross the Channel in all kinds of ‘boats’. Here are some of the sillier examples: a large bed, a giant gin bottle, a jacuzzi, a beer barrel, a parachute behind a boat.

C. a)Look at this schedule of “Important Dates” in the programme of the Channel Tunnel construction. Underline the key words in each statement. (Don’t underline more than FOUR words in any one statement). ***

Important Facts

2 April 1985 The French and British governments ask for proposals for the design and construction of a ‘fixed link’ between their two countries.

20 January 1986 A twin-bore rail tunnel, to be built by a company called Transmanche Link, is chosen as the way forward.

29 July 1987 The necessary formalities for the link are completed (namely the ratification of the treaty).

1 December 1987 Tunnelling under the seabed begins in the UK.

8 February 1988 Tunnelling under the seabed on the French side begins.

28 June 1988 Tunnelling under the land on the French side begins.

30 September 1988 Tunnelling under the land on the English side begins.

21 April 1990 Total length of tunnelling is now 75.7 km – half the total for the complete tunnel.

13 August 1990 The total length of tunnelling now reaches 100 km – two thirds of the total.

1 December 1990 The first breakthrough between tunnels started from France and from England is made. This is the first time in twelve thousand years that it has been possible to walk between the two countries.

28 June 1991 Tunnelling completed.

b) Find the words given in column A in the “Important Dates” and match them with their very brief explanations in column B.

1. B.

1. proposals for the design and construction. a. when the tunnel from France

met the tunnel from England

2. fixed link b. the official arrangements

3. twin-bore c. a permanent/solid connection

4. necessary formalities d. suggestions for what the

Tunnel should look like and

how it should be built

5. the first breakthrough e. two holes

1	2	3	4	5

D. Read these ‘Fascinating Facts’ about the Channel Tunnel and:

a) Put a tick beside the two which give permission for something; underline the one you think is the most important.