GRAPPLING FOR THE COOK STRAIT CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1259, 15 January 1876, Page 9

GRAPPLING FOR THE COOK STRAIT CABLE.

[By Telegraph.]

Wellington, January 10th.

The Press Agent, writing from aboard the Luna nn Monday, says : — Yesterday we dragged all day across the supposed line of the cable, but up till seven p.m., when the last bearings were taken, with no result. At one time it was thought we had grappled the cable in. about 90 fathoms. The steamer was brought up dead, and kept to anchor until the hawser from her bow was perpendicular. Then there were one or two violent jerks ; a sudden oscillation, like the motion of a iish on the end of a line, and the line became loose. When the grapnel was hauled up, it was segn that a couple of the prongs were drawn out from the shank, and bore traces of having been hooked upon some brown kind of rock ; upon hauling up the grapnel, after the first drag, the whole of the prongs and the shank were as bright as silver, and from the clay and sediment still adhering, looked as if the grapnel had been dragging very deep in marly clay and sand. There were rive or six casts, but all unsuccessful. Eight bearings were taken during tho day, and accurately mapped out, so as to avoid having to go over the same ground again. The weather was very favourable throughout the day, excepting for about an hour or so when the surrounding horizon waß obscured by fog. The air was bright and warm, and sea smooth. We anchored last night in Otoronga Bay, and started out this morning, shortly after six. It is understood that to-day we will look for the cable a little farther south than we did yesterday. A fre3h breeze is blowing from the N.W., but as yet very little sea on, and Mr Lemon seems quite hopeful that this end of the cable will be hooked today. If not, the probability is that we shall drag tomorrow, avoiding the ground already gone over. As the supply of water will not last longer than Wednesday, the Luna will most likely go back to Wellington on that day, whether the cable is grappled or not. VVe have altered our tactics to day, and are dragging from the bow instead of the stern, as was the mode adopted yesterday. The manilla hawser haa been changed for a chain cable, of which about 200 fathoms are out. Theßoundings as yet have averaged about 90 and 100 fathoms, the bottom generally being fine gravel and shells, with occasion al rocks which never fail to bring the vessel up when caught upon. While writing this, we are dragging close to where we caught the rock yesterday. It is about 9.15, and we are again hooked on to something. At first the matter is taken coolly, but when it was found that we had lifted something, there was great excitement Alas ! when about 12 feet from the surface, the shackle of the grapnel carried away, and chain and cable (for it must have been the cable) all went to the bottom together. Bearings were taken, and we begin again.

Jamiax-y 11th, There is no news from the Luna to-day. The Tui, when crossing the Strait this morning with the Southern telegrams, saw nothing of her. She must have sought shelter from the strong gale which Captain Kennedy, of the Easby, reports.

5 p.m. After the Tui leaving tue Luna yesterday, the latter made several attempts to again pick up the cable, but failed owing to the wind and tide being so strong, which broke a prong of cue grapnel and straightened out the other prongs. The wind freshened and sea rose so that it became impossible to do anything. Accordingly the steamer put back to Oterongi. The wind v, as strong ali nigbt, but the weather looking a little better at noon, she went out for another try, but it was quite impossible to work, She turned about and came to Lyell's Bay, so as to be able to telegraph to town for anything wanted, as provisions and water were getting short. If the weather is not more favourable to-morrow, she will probably return to Wellington and take in provisions, coal, and water before making another s*tart. She will go out again to rnovrow morning at three, if the weather is fine, so as to be on the ground early.