THE COOK'S STEAIT CABLE.

Southland Times, Issue 544, 20 August 1866, Page 3

THE COOK'S STEAIT CABLE.

FAILURE OF THE ATTEMPT TO GRAPPLE IT. On Saturday morning last, at six o'clock, the Sturt, Government paddle steamer, Captain Fairchild, left the harbor to search for the broken end of the cable, having, among other passengers on board, Mr Donovan, the Superintending Telegraphic Engineer, Mr Balfour, C.E,, Mr Burns, M.GKA., and Captains Eraneis 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 acGident, 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. Erom 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 returner! 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. Staffork and Staff — Capt. Eairchild being in command of the vessel. She at once Bteamed out to the Heads, and commenced grappling off Terawiti, about a mile from the shore and and halt" 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 a^ain -being passed round the windlass. °Down went the grapnel to the bottom aud 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 Beef." The operation was° speedily over as the grapnel caught in the rocky bottom, the rope snapped, and the grapnel was lost. Thinkingthe bottom 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 success for that place. The „Sturt will proceed this morning to Ly all'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 fathomse 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 passea through and the broken end is reached. This end will then be buoyed until the Weyruouth 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 and fitted to the machinery. [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. Ifc is probable that no action, will be taken until, a more powerful steamer is secured to assist in the operation. Erom our local columns it will be seen that the Southland is spoken of.]