Sturtevant and the Holland Tunnel

History > Holland Tunnel

Holland Tunnel Project

Special apparatus erected at Hyde Park used in testing the Holland Tunnel fans. (This story is taken from "The Eighth Wonder", a publication of the B.F.Sturtevant Co.)

The B.F.Sturtevant Co. was an important part of the engineering marvel that was the Holland Tunnel, the world's first long-underwater, mechanically ventilated, vehicular tunnel.

The unique requirements of the project led the tunnel engineers to avail themselves of the ventilation manufacturer's expertise. Sturtevant put its research department at their service in the capacity of a consulting engineering company.

A difference of opinion arose as to the type of fan best suited for ventilating the tunnels. This question was settled in Sturtevant's engineering lab by both tunnel and company engineers. A further problem arose in that the resistances to the flow of air which would be encountered in the actual installation were entirely frictional. There was a great dearth of information about the frictional resistances of ducts. The company's research department was able to outline a series of model tests for the determination of the factors necessary for the solution of this important point. These tests were carried out at the University of Illinois.

The selection of the proper type of fans to be used and the determination of the resistances against which they would operate were the two most important requirements of this unprecedented ventilation problem. In addition, through the extended experience of the company's research department, proper methods for installing the equipment was determined and suitable motors for driving the fans and suitable connections to ducts were selected, all of which assured the final success of the installation as a whole.The resulting system -- forcing fresh air at the ceiling over the entire tunnel length -- has been the model for all succeeding vehicular tunnels.

In the final bidding, Sturtevant easily won with both the lowest price and the most efficient fan. A total of 84 fans were installed when the tunnel opened in 1927.

Completed Silentvane fan wheels alongside C bldg awaiting shipment

One of the 84 "lungs" installed in the Holland Tunnel ventilation building