STEAMBOAT COLLISION AT HAWAII.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 119, 28 May 1885, Page 2

STEAMBOAT COLLISION AT HAWAII.

Another Unsuccessful Attempt to Float

the Maogregor.

(Prom our Special Reporter.)

(Per Star Cabrier Pigeon.)

Kawau, Thursday, 0 a.m. The b.s, Glenelg arrived here at 5.30 yesterday evening, after a fine weathor passage. She had on board a large quantity of heavy chain for lifting purposes, as it was expected the attempt to float the Macgregor would be made last night. The first newswereceivedonputtinginanappearance, however, was that the attempt had already been made, and, worse luck, it had been a failure. Before relating how this happened a short description of the vessel an whe lies will be of interest. On the 8.8. side of Kawau is a small bay about a quarter of a mile wide from point to point, and running into the land for about the same distance. It is surrounded by high cliffs, which are almost inaccessible from tho water, and the wreck of the Macgregor Huh close under the southern side. She rests on rocks amidBhips, and there are also rocks on the starboard side of her from her stern to nearly amidships. This presents one great difficulty in the way of lifting the vessel, and another difficulty exists in her nearness to the land. She has still a good list seaward, her bow being considerably lower than her stern ; both hold and saloon affording free ingress and egreHß to tho tido us it rises and fails. On the vessel's deck are several pumps and lifting gear. There aro twenty men besides Capts. Macgrogor, Keano, John McKenzie, Scott, and two divers; all, so far as I can learn, firmly convinced that it is quite possible to float tho Macgregor. With this explanation I proceed to

Yesterday's Attempt.

About noon tho baique Gazelle and gchaonar Fanny Thornton were safely moored at either eide of the sunken vessel, hoth rather near the forward end, owing to tho position of the rocks, and tt scow was Bide on to the Macgregor'B stern. Work waa prosecuted vigorously. Chains of various sizes were iuterwovon amongst the vessels, principally going from tho barquo on ono eide, under the Macgregor'e bottom, and running between the latter and tho Fanny Thornton, and vice verm. In this way tho three vossels were bound by oight Beparate ohaine, each of which waa made fast to large spars laid down lengthwise along the decks of tho barque and schooner. The scow was also firmly lashed to tho Macgregor. There wero some doubts as to whether tho chains were strong enough; and, although the Glenelg waft oxpectod early with fresh supplies, the chance of floating the Macgregor with that tide was too good not to be taken advantage of. The stoorage was pumpod almost dry, and as the tide rose, so also rose all four vessels, tho Macgregor first rising at the bow. Soon her stern also loft the ground, and great hopes of success were entertained. One of tho anchors waa hove on to poo if the rocks held amidships, and just then the two heaviost chains, each ljin. Bnapped, and it was found necessary to give up the attempt. Everybody had been working very hard, and much disappointment was consequently tho result. 1 urther operations wore postponed until thia morning. To-day's Operations, The Glenelg, which had been anchored durinfr the night, went alongside of the wreck at C this morning, when the new ohftinH wero transferred to tho Gazelle, preparatory to being lashed around the vessels, and it is expected another attempt to lift the Macgregor will bo made oarly this evening. If it proves successful it will bo worthy of much praise, for tho Macgregor is in an exceedingly awkward position. At high water thia morning she presented tho appearance of a regular wreck. The water, which was as smooth as a millpond, wph washing right ovor her, oxcepting a few feet near her stern, and was running in and out of her skylights—saloon, hold, and steerage boing full. Things, howovor, improve In ! appearance an the tide falls. Captain Macgrogor says that if tho vossol is successfully floated he will not attempt to take her to Auokland direct, but will beach hor cither at Bon Accord Harbour or on another Mamiy beach on this sido of the island.