THE COOK'S STRAIT CABLE.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 539, 13 August 1866, Page 3

THE COOK'S STRAIT CABLE.

FAILTJEE OP THE ATTE3IPT TO GEAPPLE IT

On Saturday morning last, at six o'clock, the Sturt, Government paddle steamer, Captain Fairchiid, left the harbor to search for the broken end of the cable, having, among other passengers on board, Mr JDonovan, the Superintending Telegraphic Engineer, Mr Balfour, C.E,, Mr Burns, M.G-.A., and Captains Francis and Mundle. On arriving at the place indicated by Mr Balfour's cross-bearings, they were unable to see the buoy, which had been dropped at the time of the accident, and as the weather began to freshen, it was deemed unadvisable to search for it, or to make any attempt to grapple for the cable. From soundings taken at the time, the vessel was found to be in twenty-nine fathoms of water. THE ATTEMPT TO GBAPPLE THE CABLE. The paddle steamer Sturt returned to harbor last night at six o'clock, bringing intelligence that the first attempt to grapple the cable had been unsuccessful. The Sturt left harbor at half-past ten o'clock in the forenoon, with. Mr. E. Donovan, Mr. Stalfork and Staff— Capt. Fairchiid being in command of the vessel. She at once steamed oat to the Heads, and commenced grappling off Terawiti, about a mile from the shore and and half a |mile from the locality at which the cable had broken. The depth was thirty fathoms, and about twenty fathoms of chain, the rest being rope, were attached to the grapnel, which was passed over the bow of the steamer, the line again being passed round the windlass. Down went" the grapnel to the bottom and the little steamer paddled slowly across the line where the cable was known to lie. It soon, however, became evident that the attempt to grapple was useless, owing to the rocky and uneven nature of the bottom, which was described as " being rough as Barrett's Eeef." The operation was speedily over as the grapnel caught in the rocky bottom, the rope snapped, and tlie grapnel was lost. Thinkingthebottom mightbesandy and therefore smoother at Sinclair's Heads, the next attempt was made there, three miles from the broken end of the cable and in a depth of 35 fathoms, but unfortunately the bottom was found to be as bad as before, and when the grapnel was hauled aboard the claws had been pulled almost straight. By this time, it being 4 o'clock, the attempt was abandoned for the day — in fact, we believe it is not intended to try grappling again, as the nature of the bottom leaves little hope of succe3B for that place. The Sturt will proceed this morning to Lyall's Bay, when an attempt will be made to under-run the cable from the shore end. This will be done by lifting the cable close to the shore end in a depth of two or three fathoms ; then passing the bight through a block suited to the purpose, and fixed at the bow of the steamer, which, will steam slowly out till the whole eight miles have passed through and the broken end is reached. This end will then be buoyed until the Weymouth is ready to commence operations. Should to-day's operations be successful, the second attempt to lay the cable will soon be made, as it is confidently hoped that the damage done to the paying out machinery will fee completely repaired on Wednesday next. "We, are informed that the spur wheel has been cast, and that it will be taken on board the Weymouth to-day und fitted to the xnaeoinery.

[From a telegram, under date the 10th August, we learn that the cable has been recovered, and that another attempt to connect it will be made shortly. If is probable that no action will be taken until a more powerful steamer is secured to assist in the operation. From our local columns it will be seen that the Southland is spoken of]