The New Caledonian Cable.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 250, 21 October 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

The New Caledonian Cable.

An Exciting Time.

A letter has been received by bhe head of bhe Posbal Deparbmenb, Sydney, from Mr P. B. Walker, under dabe Noumea, Septem. ber 28bh, in which the writer gives a graphic accounb of bhe experiences of bhose aboard bhe Francois d'Argo cable steamer engaged in bhe work of laying the cable to New Caledonia. In his letber Mr Walke r s ays :- «We have had a most fearful bime of ib for the last 10 days, and I thoughb lasb ' Thursday nighb bhab we would have all gone bo bhe bobbom. I never spenb such a ! nighb in a gale ot wind, and_ how we managed bo hold on bo bhe cable is a perfect mystery bo all of us, bub we could nob cub ib adrifb because, bhere being no buoy to it, we, should have lost ib albogebher. All nighb every soul on board was ou bhe watch, expecting something serious to happen, bub we were glad when the day dawned, giving us sufficient breabhing bime to buoy the cable and run for shelter to this place, our boilers being out of order. Fortunately, we got off with few casualties, losing one of the anchors and about 40 fathoms of chain, which broke adrifb. One man got knocked down and severely injured his jaw, which has compelled him to keep to his bed ever since. The whole ship's awning was ripped from end to end, and fouled the cable, which made very short work of ib by mangling ib on the drums. The waves rolled over the ship, and seemed ready to devour us, bub bhe ship is a fine, stoubbuilb vessel, and rode oub the Btorm grandly. Coote has a cabin amidships, and one sea went for bis cabin, completely submerging it, as well as bhe bwo adjoining ones, which for a while caused some consternation, bub all soon recovered from bhe shock, and bhe men, wibh bheir lifebelts on, moved aboub the ship, making escapes for the sea wherever it became most dangerous. The sighb was grand bo look ab in bhe dark night, as the mountains of spray burst over the ship and the seas came sweeping over tho cleared decks, rolling on either side, bub as every precaubion had been taken to clear off all the things^ bhab were likely bo be hurled aboub no accidents occurred excepb bo one of bhe side spars, aboub 40fb long and 6in in diameber (bhe thickness of an ordinary telegraph post), which broke loose, and in an instant it was smashed in two like a carrot, but ib was soon masbered by bwo or three smart hands, who gob ib out of the road quickly. One of the boats got her sides stove in. and the man ab bhe cable break narrowly escaped being washed overboard, only saving himself by a loose rope bhab was handy, as he was lifted off his feeb by the seas, which dragged him to the rails, but by the aid of the rope he was_ enabled to balance himself and save his falling overboard. Though very much bruised and shaken he soon recovered his presence of mind, and a good stiff glass of rum saw him at his post soon after. We were all very thankful to get in here, and hope to geb away on Friday morning or bhis evening if we can geb our fibbings finished. I hope bhab you are all well, and, with kind regards to all, yours sincerely, P. B. Walker. This letter shows thab bhe completion of bhe cable is simply a quesbion of a litble delay. There have been some rumouVs thab the cable is short, bub had such been bhe case Mr Walker, in his communication, would assuredly have nobified bhe department of the fact, instead of which he speaks of the probability of the news being cabled through before the letter is received. It may be that the boilers being out ot order have been the cause of the delay, bub there is evidently no ground for auxiety as bo the early completion of bhe work.