The southern press., 1850-11-04

From the ". Y. Tribune, of Ridau.

RECOVERY OF Powers STATUE OF CALHOUN
Mr. Johnson, of IsIip, L. surprised US last night
with the welcome intelligence OF the recovery OF
Powers statue of Calhoun from the wreck of the
ship Elizabeth, under which it has been buried
since the 18th of July last. MIR. Johnson, it will
be recollected, visited the spot In his yacht, the
Twilight soon after the wreck, and on the discov-
cry of the whereabouts of the case containing the
statue, at expressed his belief in the practi-
cability of its recovery. He voluntarily under
took the task, and for the past three months has
been operating with body of men, among whom
is Mr.. Whipple, the noted diver to whose sub
marine labors is owing the final success of the un-
dertaking. After vany endeavoring to sling the
box, which was deeply imbedded in sand, by
means ofgrappling irons, Golfer dam made
and sunk around it, with no better result. The
box lay IN eleven feet of water, and the undertow
was so strong, from the heavy swells following
the autumn gales that, till within the last two
days, nothing could be done. A less enterprising
man would have given up the task long ago, but
Mr.. Johnson not to be dismayed, and the
Twilight kept her post in all weathers.
Finally, on Tuesday last, the sea was favorable
for the first time in several weeks and at daylight
on Wednesday morning, operations commenced
Mr.. Johnson had previous y procured a pair Of
powerful canthooks, iron tongs, pair of grapplirg-
hooks, weighing about 500 pounds These were
placed around the case by Mr.. Whipple, who de-
scended in his submarine armor.
Byarranging lever on the deck Of the Yacht,
heavy purchase was obtained and through the
united strength oftwenty men the hooks were firm
ly closed around the case, and the end lifted from
the sand sufficiently to allow a sling chain TO be
slipped under. The other end was then slung in
the same manner, and third chain passed around
the middle, the chains being first wrapped with
coarse blankets, to prevent injury to the marble.
This statue, which weighs about ton and half,
with an equal weight of hard sea sand in addition,
was hoisted to the surface without much difficulty,
but the utmost strength Of the hands was necessary
to get it safely on deck.
Mr.. Johnson supposed that when the vessel
parted, the case was completely overturned, it |
Law in reverse position To that in which it had been
slowed. Ii was almost entirely destroyed, the |
heavy iron bolts and clamps having been violently |
wrenched asunder. After being landed on the |
deck Of the Ttpitgh, the statue was raised to an
erect position, the fragments of the carefully
removed and the sand washed off. The only in |
Jury it had sustained was the loss Of part Of the
right arm, but the fracture is concealed by the
drapery, the less can readily be replaced. With
this exception the statue is perfect as when the
last touch of the chse was given TO it, having re-
ceived no scratch or stain of any kind. 1t was re-
covered about p. M, on Wednesday, the sea con-
linuing quiet up to that time. Immediately after
ward, heavy swell arose, but il was too late for
The jealous sea to reclaim IT'S spoil.
The Twilight, with it's memorable freight, and the
Revenue Cutter Morris, will probably reach this
city tomorrow. Meanwhile, we would suggest to
the agents in this city OF those citizens Of Charles
ton, by whom the statue was ordered, that it be
placed on exhibition before leaving for its destined
pedestal. As work Of art, no less than on ac-