The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-21 00:00:00

MEDITERRANEAN TELEGRAPII.

The English screw steamer William Corry, Capt.
Donaldson, arrived at Malta on the 16th inst. from
Otranto, having successfully completed the subma-
rine line of telegraph between Otranto and Sic!ari,
at the north end of the Island of Corfu. The ope-
ration of paying out the cable was commenced from
Otranto at 7 30 p.m. on Jan. 27th. During the
' night there was a fresh breeze, with a heavy swell.
A large amount of slack was paid out, in conse-
quence of the unexpected depth of water met with.
The island of Fano was sighted at 5 30 a.m. on the
28th, at which time the whole of the cable then
available had been paid out, the ship being then
18 miles from Sidari. According to the charts
the ship was in about 100 fathoms water, but on
buoying the end of the cable with 160 fathoms of
chain the buoy disappeared. Soundings were imme-
diately taken, and the depth ascertained to be 420
fathoms. The weather being bad and the ship short
of provisions, she bore up at 5 30 p.m. for Corfu,
and left again on the 29th at 5 p.m. On the follow-
ing day the whole of the ground was thoroughly
surveyed, the depth of water being everywhere
much greater than was anticipated. On the 31st
dredging for the cable was commenced, but without
success. Nothing could be done from the Ist of
February to the sth on account of continual bad
weather. On the 6th inst., at 510 p.m., the cable
was hooked, and raised to within 80 fathoms of the
surface, when the chain parted and the cable was
lost. On the following day, the 7th inst., the cable
was again hooked at 9 30 a.m., and safely brought
up, when additional cable was immediately spliced
on, and paying out was commenced at 11 30. About
12 miles of cable was paid out, and the end buoyed
five miles from:Sidari in 30 fathoms' water; and on
the following day, the Bth inst., the shore end was
laid, and the whole line completed at 5 p.m. The
cable was afterwards tested in the most satisfactory
manner. The William Corry then proceeded to
Corfu, and left again for Otranto on the following
day. The same night a gale of wind commenced
blowing with such violence from the south-east that
the ship could not make head against it. During
the night, the following day, and the next the gale
continued with unabated fury, the ship slowly
drifting before it, and at 5 20 a.m. on the 12th inst.
she ran on shore nine miles north of Otranto on a
sandy beach. Means were immediately adopted to
lighten the ship, and a telegram was despatched to
Admiral Martin, at Corfu, soliciting assistance.
Her Majesty's steam corvette Scourge, Commander
Jones, was sent a few hours after the receipt of the
message, and arrived at Otranto on the following
morning, the 13th inst. After great exertion the
ship was got off at 6 p.m., without having
sustained the least injury, the wind having
blown off shore a few hours subsequent to
her striking. She left for Malta on the morn-
ing of the 14th, when the Scourge returned to Corfu.
The William Corry had alsoth e
portana of A
narrow escape
on
ofruthne-
ning ashore in entering.
11th inst., the wind blowing
on rounding the island of Sase
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and the ship then slowly wore round, and again jib and forestaysail were set with great difficulty,
and
out to face the gale. The operation of laying
th
the
cable was conducted by Mr. Samuel Canning,
engi-
neer to Messrs. Glasse, Elliott, and Co., and great
credit is due to him for the energy he displayed
during these trying events. Mr. Andrews, engineer
and general superintendent, was also present on
behalf of the Mediterranean Extension Telegraph
Company, and rendered efficient assistance. The
land line at Otranto, connecting the cable end with
that town, is completed, and the line will shortly be
opened for traffic. Steps will be takes during the
summer months to repair both the Malta and Corfu
and the Malta and Cagliari lines. It is expected
that the Malta and Alexandria cables will be out at
the end of April or beginning of May, and her Ma-
jesty's n
eship Medina, Captain Spratt, C. 8., is at pre-
sentgaged completing the soundings along the
proposed route.