THE COOK STRAIT CABLE. (PER PRESS AGENCY.) On Board the Luna, Tuesday.

Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 9, 12 January 1876, Page 2

THE COOK STRAIT CABLE. ( PER PRESS AGENCY.) On Board the Luna, Tuesday.

When we lost our hold of the cable yesterday, the Tui was alongside, and on her way to Wellington, so there was no time to do more than staje the bare fact The cause of the mishap is supposed to be that there were not enough turns round the drum for winding up, and that either the pitching of the vessel or the weight of the suspended cable caused a little more strain than usual— the turns round the drum slipped— a sudden jerk followed, and cable and grapnel were gone. Another grapnel was soon bent on, and dragging recommenced, but the violent jerking ana tugging showed we were on a reef of rocks— the first rocky patch of any size hitherto encountered. After dragging for some time without any sign of the cable, the grapnel was hauled up, when one prong was broken off and others straightened. Wind and sea about this time arose, which rendered further operations impossible, and it was decided to run for Lyell's Bay, from whence communication could be had v ith town. Island Bay, Wednesday. When at the cable house at Lyell's Bay last night, Dr. Lemon telegraphed for fresh provisions, aud a gentleman from the Telegraph Office rodo out with a chart, showing the course taken by Captain Kennedy some nine years ago when the cable was laid. This, no doubt, will prove of great value, for beyond the t%vo points of connection with the land, the revolutions of the drum m paying out, and the tides at time of laying the cable, there has been no authentic data to give a really reliable course. One thing appears to have been proved beyond doubt— viz., the line given by Captain Johnston, Dr. Lemon and Mr. Koch crossed the very spot where the cable was hooked on Monday morning. We were tendered by the Tui about midnight last night, and received from her a quantity of fresh provisions. At two this morning we put to sea, aud got once more to our fishing- ground ; but between the wind and tide-rip, there was such a sea on that it was out of the question to hope to do anything, and we were compelled to put back. This time we brought up iv Lyell's Bay, where wo now (noon) are lying engaged in filling up one of our water-tanks. Upon the least favorable change another attempt will be made.