Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1855-09-12


at faster rate than the safety OF the cable allowed
She fell off 50 rapidly that Captain Turner pro-
nounced it impossible TO weather ST. PauPS Which
ia right line from Cape Ray TO Cape Moth leaves
little to the starboard. To add TO our embaUaSS
ment, two of the copper wires parted,and we again
came to halt, drifting away before the combined
wind and current. At this moment steamer was
seen IN the distance coming down from the dlrec-
ton of Newfoundland. She proved 10 be, as we
coniectured, the British war steamer Argus, which
had been ordered by the Admiralty TO be on hand
at the time OF laying the cable, and render us any
assistance III her powell
The sky was now dark and threatening, the
night was coming on, and the situation ofthe bark
became more perilouS every moment. Forty and
a half miles OF cable had been payed out, leaving
81 miles on board-a weight oil about 100 tons,
which was all forward Of her waist, and caused
her to plunge AT a rlshtiul rate. She was sun
held by the cable at her stern, and the heavy
seas rolled under her, reared until 1t seemed as II
she would leap out of the WAFER. 1t was at once
seen even if the cable held, in such strait II
would be necessary TO cut II to save the vessel
Capt. Turner Therefore summoned Capt Poussand
TO the bow, and requested him 10 send up iocKet
if he was driven to this alternative. lie also told
him that he would hold Oil to the bark as long as
poSslb bic. This assurance quieled tEO>e on boaru,
who had evidently been III some anxiety but ten
Minutes had not elapsed before one OF them ran TO
the bow and made Three gestures IN succession,
Or the wind too strong tor his hail tu be audi
bic. These gestures were interpreted 10 mean
that all the wires were btoken-a conjecture the
Victorio, having come up with US i'll the mean
time, ran alongside and confirmed. The Argus
was not more than two mit IS distant, but in such
wind and sea she would not have been able 10
aid us.
About 81 o'clock, as we were on the hurricane
roof watching the bark, which was pitching al
such rate that 1t was not possible TO work on the
cable. She Suddenly made 4 ODu0u iOIWl-u II 10
spring upon us. Th=Te was a loud cry from her
deck, "rhe cable is gone!-the knel OF our hopes
and anxielies tor a week past. The engine
Immediately put i'll moton--we headed the wind
aud soon had the bark i'll tow agaEn. Her topmaSt
had been housed before leaving Cape Ray, and af-
ter She was relieved from the strain of the cable,
and had her chains hauled aft she rode the Tough
seas IN better trim. The hawSer was we'll served
with canvas at the hawSe-holeS, and every precau
ton taken TO aid her in case the gale should ill.,
crease. The Argus came up with us about dusk,
and sgnaIed to know whether we wanted assist
ance-but as we had no Set OF signals board.
we we've unable to answer her. After some con-
SutatiOn we headed for Sydney, in Cape Breton,
and are now going on way at the rate OF or
miles All hour. The Argus is lowering near us
IN the hope of being useful.
The present failure OF this important enterprise
is partly owing TO the gale, aud partly TO the diff
Guilty OF paying out cable from vessel in tow.
both laid directly from steamers, and the former as
Mr. Canning informed me, during gale heavy
as we have experienced. Besides, the James Ad-
ger is neither adapted for towing is she at pre-
sent IN trIn Tor such service. TINS failure how
ever, will but insure lLe final success OF the un-
deGtakIng. Although It is sad 10 reflect that SO
much energy, industry and perseverance have
now been expended IN vain, the connection will
doubtless be made before the expiration OF anOlh-
CT year.