CABLE LAYING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1613, 3 December 1912, Page 3

CABLE LAYING.

THE OPERATION DESCRIBED, (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, December 2. . The end of the new submarine cable from Auckland to Doubtless Bay was brought ashore on Takapuna Beach' early yesterday morning. Tne cable-skip Silvertown, which had been lying oft' i'akapuna since Friday morning, intended to make a start with the cable-laying on Saturday. In consequence- of tho high wind then prevailing, it was deemed advisable to postpone operations until yesterday. As tho work of cable landing has all to be done from boats, a calm sea is essential. As it is, tho Silyertown's boat crews are nearly all. recruited from among hardy Lowestoft fishermen, who are, therefore quite at homo in the water. Since tho weather conditions wero favourable, a start was'made yesterday morning at daylight, and, almost before it was light, all was bustle on board. Boats were lowored, and the multifarious cable gear was prepared. The little steam pinnace darted about, and finally headed for the shore, towing several boats behind it. A quarter of a mile off a two-inch Manila rope, played out from the Silvertown, was hauled ashore by the boats. In the meantime the land party had not been idle. A trench had been dug for the reception of the cable when it reached terra finua, and two largo spider-sheaves had been erected on the beach. The rope, on being landed and threaded through these, was hauled back again by the boats to the Silvertown. A circuit of rope from the ship to the shore, and from shore to ship being completed, the cable was drawn out of the tanks, and carried along to the after-cable drum, around this, and along to the stern. It was hauled by a special gear and engine. Tho haulingrope was attached to the cable end, and, on the word being given to "heave it on the hauling-line," the cable started slowly on its way to the shore. Just as this was beginning to happen, an accident took place, which, although narrowly escaping serious consequences, delayed operations for some -little time. One of the spider sheaves on shore, under the great strain put on it, broke, and the flying' iron inflicted a painful wound on the leg of a bystander. . A fresh spider was brought from. the ship, and, when it was placed in position, the work proceeded without a hitch. As tho cable was slowly paid-out a man sat above it in an iron cage, and every few fathoms he attached to it a balloon buoy. These balloon buoys, which are about 3ft. in diameter, and made of canvas, covered with inflated india rubber, are for kteping the cable afloat until it reaches the shore.

The long line of buoys, bobbing up and down on the waves, slowly ami evenly approached the beach. At 8.30 a.m. the first of these buoys, marking the end of the cable, was within reach of those en shore, and the cable was landed. A slight cheer' from the, fe.w spectators on the beach greeted the completion of the task. A few reserve fathoms having been landed, the cable was made fast, and buried in its trench. Perpetual signalling between, the Bhore party and those paying out the cable on board ensured a complete understanding and harmonious working between the two parties. - > Nothing more remained to be done after the cable had been made fast except to detach tho buoys, 'and allow the cable to sink to the bottom. This having been accomplished without incident, and all the gear having been taken back on board, tho Silyertown hoisted on board its boats and steamed away at about 10.45 a.m. at a speed of four or five knots an hour, to lay 131 more miles of cable. This (with no untoward accident to delay operations) should be accomplished early this morning, when the Silvertown will return to Auckland: Tho Silvertown has already laid the new cablo between Bondi, in Australia, and Muriwai, on the West Coast of Auckland.- Tho cable which , she is now laying will, .-.wh-en finished, connect with the present one from Doubtless Bay to Auckland, via Norfolk Island. The cable ship Iris is to complete the last 50 miles of the work. At. tho -conclusion' of the year's operations,- the .Silvertown will have laid no less' than 1452 nautical miles cf cable from her three tanks, the total weight being, 3950. tons.