Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 136, 11 August 1866, Page 3

THE COOK'S STRAIT CABLE. We learn from the N.Z. Advertiser that, on Saturday last, the Government p.s. Sturt started to grapple for the broken end of the submarine cable. The Sturt, with a number of Government officers on board, proceeded at 6 a.m., to the spot where the broken end of the cable lay, as indicated by Mr. Balfour's cross bearings. On arriving there the buoy had disappeared. In consequence of the strong breeze and heavy sea it was deemed unadvisable to drop the grapnel and proceed with the work. Soundings were taken at 29 fathoms, a little to the "N.W. of the placo where the end of the cable lies. On Monday last the Sturt started again with Mr. Donovan and staff on board. Two unsuccessful attempts were made. In the first the line snapped, and in the second the grapnel when hauled up was found to have its claws completely straightened, which rendered the instrument useless. Mr. Donovan returned to port, On Tuesday the 7th iust., the Sturt started again, having all the necessary appliances on board. On arriving at Ly all's Bay the grapnel was thrown over in 15 fathoms of water, but as no success was there met with, Mr. Donovan considered it desirable to go nearer inland. This was done, -and when in 6 fathoms of water they again grappled and caught the cable. The under-running gear was then fixed at the stem of the steamer and she proceeded easy astern for from four to five miles. When off Sinclair's Head it was determined to buoy the cable there, about three miles from the broken end, in 25 fathoms of water, as uight was coming ou and with it an increasing breeze, also the tide was running strong. We may mention that it is under discussion whether it would not be preferable to cut and splice the cable in the place where it is now buoyed in preference to doing so where it is broken and where the tide runs so strong that any vessel would be carried a considerable distance while the splicing was being performed. The machinery for paying out, which was entrusted to Mr. Mills, of the Lion Foundry, for repairing is now completed. On Monday t:ie second casting of the large spur wheel, which, by the way, caused a loss of over to the contractor through the accident on a previous day, was successfully accomplished, and yesterday the whole was taken on board the Weymouth and successfully fitted. There is -nothing, therefore, now to detain the submerging of the cable, and we may expect the expedition to start iu a few days. In the meantime, the work of connecting the shore end of Lyali's Bay with the town has been completed, the posts haviug been erected and the wires strung into the middle of the town.