Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-11-20

wheelsman it was already hard aport. Then,
in the hope of steering her stern off, gave the
order hard astarboard, but in five seconds be-
fore this order could be executed we were struck
amidships the collidng steamer going into our
port paddle box and MASKING IL large hole IN
the port side, from which the Louisiana filled
up rapidly. The donkey engines were put to
work at their full capacity, but made no effect
upon the leak. We endeavored to work the
main engine, but found it had been SO jammed
it was impossible to get it past the centre. We
were thus rendered hel pless. | called the crew
to quarters, cleared away the boats, and began
lowering them to take off the passengers. At
this time the Louisiana had between six and
seven feet of water in the hold. | hailed the
colliding steamer, which proved to be the tal-
con, and requested her 10 remain 10y us. Inc
Falcon Immediately came alongside, ana all the
passengers and baggage were transferred TO tlat
steamer. \ hauser was then passed to the
Falcon that she might tow us to shoal water !
went down to examine the leak again, and
found the water gaining rapidly, with eight TO
nine feet in the hold, and concluded We would
not be towed more than half a mile before sink
ing endeavored then to save as much MS posi-
BILE of the furniture of the main saloon, which
We did by working all hands shortly attcrward
the hawser parted, and the Louisiana went
down by the head in torty-tSo feet OF water; AT
the time of the collision the Louisiana was
steaming fourteen miles per hour, and the Fail
con nine to ten.
All passengers of the Louisiana, including
ladies, conducted themselves with the greatest
GOODNESS and selt-poSSession.
The louisiana was a fayorlte steamer OF the
Bay Line of 300 tons, and valued at II 80, 600.
No insurance. Her cargo, which was lost,
consisted of 200 bales of cotton a large quantl-
" of tobacco, thirty tons of pig iron, and
other freight.
Steps have been taken for raising the Louis
lana, anG the contract has been given to Nor
folk company Of wreckerS which commenced
operations on Monday last. The wreck lies
near the mouth of the Potomac, where there Is
strong current, which, together with the I'M
favorable weather that pervails ut tins season,
will retard the operations of the wreckers-
! twill be a matter of interest 10 learn some
! thing at this time of the manner Ill when the
wreckers pursue their business III such cases
The wrecking company have IN their employ a
number ofsubmarine divers, who clad IN water
proof armor. descend to the bottom and explore
! all parts of the Sunken vessel. Their hrst en-
leavor in the case OF the louisiana viii he 10
take ont the cargo. which is done by attaching
ropes TO the bales. boxes. &c, and they are
! then hoisted to the Resolute, anchored above
| them If possible, the opening IN the huh.
/ made hv the bow of the Falcon, will be closed
with saicloth boards, or ANYTHING ~ hand
! The next undertaking is 10 pass chains under
I the bottom of the wreck. These are hrSt placed
under the bow and two steamers are used, an
end of the chain being fastened 10 each. By
hand labor these chains are forced through the
mud beneath the wreck, and rs each Is put IN
place the ends are buoyed until all are ready
| After six or eight chains are thus passed under
the hull, ''poutoon' boats, an invention OF
Captain Stoddard. of the wreCking company,
are brought into requisition, These are are
| tight and Of the same shape as the famed W l.
mans cigar-ship. Eight of these are used. four
upon each side. and the chains fastened 10 them
Through an opening the water IS allowed to
| flow into the pontoons, and they are sunkcu e
the bottom The water IS then all pumped
out. and thus lighiened they rise toward the
surface supporting the wreck between them oy
| the chains Ifit Is possible TO close the hold
| of the wreck the water is also pumped out oi
the hull. and rs the buoyancy OF the water Is
such that 500 tons pressure will raise ! SOC
| tons of wei ght, the sunken vessel IS brought 10
| the surface Then the hull is roughly repaired,
and the vessel towed to port for repair. The
wrecking business is both ardous and danger
Gus, and frequently long - elspsfs before
success crowns the efforts ofsNhose eti.snEed IN
lit. She wreck of the Louisiana viii be rals'
ed with all the expedition that the surrounding
circumstances will admit OF.