THE COOK STRAIT CABLE.

Evening Post, Volume XII, Issue 154, 30 December 1875, Page 2

THE COOK STRAIT CABLE.

The preparations for repairing the Qook Strait cable still proceed vigorously, and it is hoped the Luna may be ready for sea to-morrow night, unless any unexpected delay should occur. The tedious work of stowing the thf cc and a half miles of spare cable on board is going on steadily and should be finished either to-night or tomorrow. Mr. E. W. Mills also has in hand a second large paying-out sheave for the bow, similar to that already fixed at the stem A donkey-engine of 25 horsepower has been placed just forward of the bridge to drive the large drum and gear. This latter ori. .ginally was worked by a small portable engine and belt, but as the engine was not sufficiently powerfnl for any picking up operations should they prove necessary, ft was disposed of, and the present one construoted under the direction of Mr. Nan* carrow, with two cylinders and a purchase working direct on the drum gear instead of the old belt, which had been found inadequate to the strain required. The cable after winding two or three times round the drum, passes by a succession of sheaves over the bridge and poop to the large paying - out sheave at the stern. Similar appliances have been fitted in the forward part of the vessel in case it should be found advisable "to > work from 'the bow. The plan of operations is first to make an effort to grapple, and raise each of the broken ends of the cable, which then will be buoyed, and each end -spliced successively to so much of the spare cable carried as may be found requisite. The time occupied in the work must depend, mainly on the success which may attend the grappling operations. If the Luna is fortunate enough to pick up the severed ends at once, the work of splicing will not be a lengthy one, but it is quite possible that two or three weeks may be occupied in this important description of fishing. Dr. Lemon is pushing on the preparations with the utmost energy, and is being actively aided by his subordinates, while the machinery, designed by Mr. Nancarrow, and under construction at the Lion Foundry, is proceeding with all possible despatch.