The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-21

weight, coming on ii. 7..as.
AT $40 A. NJ. the splice had been sue
cessfullyllowered, and the ship was again |
on her course.
The detention by this fault was eight
cen hours and forty-four minutes, and
most anxious hours and minutes they
were.
On Sunday, July 3Oth, the distance
made was "A miles, and 81 miles of the
cable were paid out. Depth of water
] 800 fathoms. Tests very good.
Monday, July 3l.--Distance run, l3i
miles cable paid out, 1853 miles; water,
| no fathoms; tests very good.
Tuesday, Aug. 1.--Distance made, 155
miles cable paid out, 179 miles water,
/ 700 fathoms test very good.
Wednesday, Aug. AT 5.27 A. NJ, on
resuming the insulation tests, it was dis
covered that there was a partial loss of
insulation. The ship was soon after
wards stopped and the cable transferred
to the picking up gear at the bows.
The operation of hauling in COM
menced. By noon the engine used for
picking up stopped for want OF water
for considerable time Two miles had
been recovered, and the cable was cut to
see whether the fault had come on
board. At about 1890 p. M. the cable
caught and chafed on the mouth of the
horse-pipe,u and was with consider
able difficulty removed, and at 1926 1t
parted on board where it was injured,
just behind the shoppers, and in
moment the end disappeared in the
water.
Distance run in the last "a hours lie
miles. Cable paid out 1872 miles. Re
covered two miles. Depth fwater 1850
fathoms.
Total distance from Valentia 1853
miles. Total distance to Hearts Con-
tent 600 miles. Total cable paid out,
1872 miles, equal to IA per cent.
Steamed back towards Valentia II
miles and commenced dragging for the
cable.
Thursday at 4 A. NJ, it being evident
| from the strain that the grapnel hao
| caught the cable, we began to haul it,
and at l1.50, when $50 fathoms of the
graphing rope had been goton board, q
shaokle broke near the ship, and ], 40C
fathoms of the rope sank with the cable
to the bottom of the Atlantic.
A buoy was lowered with 2, 400 fathoms
, of cable, and mushroom to hold i
, and mark the spot. During the opera
ton of picking up the machinery gave
way. 1t is supposed that tooth broke
! |
tween the "spur" wheel smashed the
latter. This accident happened twice,
and the operation of hauling in had to
be performed by the capstan.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Weather favorable for recovering the
cable.
Monday August Lowered another
grapnel. At IL lG P, NJ, commenced
dragging for the cable. Ats P. NJ. began
to haul in, and continued to do so slowI ]
all night.
Tuesday, August Sat $50 A. NJ. ON,
thousand fathoms of grapnel rope hat
been hauled in, when the shackles brok,
, just inside the ship. Lost in this at
tempt 800 fathoms of rope. A SECOND
buoy was lowered to mark the spot.
The balance of this day and all thu
next was fully occupied in having new
shackles made for the hauling in rope
altering the eapstan, and making prepa
rations for another attempt to recover
the cable.
Had the apparatus, been ready, the
weather on Wednesday was much too
rough to attempt any operations.
The two buoys rode out the gales in
this depth perfectly.
Thursday, 10th--At O'Clock A. NJ,
we began to lower the grapnel, and at
$50 had out 2, AGO fathoms-all that was
on board the ships-and commenced
dragging for the cable, and continued to
do SO until the evening, when we began
to haul in slowly.
Friday, 1lth-At 6 A. NJ. we finished
hauling in the 2,460 fathOms of rope
when the grapnel came up foul with its
own chain.
At IL A. NJ. we began to lower the crap
mel again, and as soon as all the 2,46C
fathoms were paid out, we commenced
dragging until 1855 p. NJ, when we be-
gan to haul in slowly.
1t was soon evident by the great strain
that the grapnel had caught the cable.
AT Z P. NJ. when 40 fathoms had been
recovered, the rope parted.
As there was not sufficient rope on
board the Great Eastern to resume Crap
nelling, it was decided that she should
return at once to England.