The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-23
THE SABLE ISLAND. WRECK.
[pY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


HALIFAX, July %, 1879
The Allan steamer Hibernian which sailed at noon
to-day for Liverpool took twenty seven cabin pas.
sengers' eleven steerage aud thrty-one of the
OF the wrecked steamer State of Virginia. The
Hioernian Will call at st. Johns. N. F. All the cabin
passengers. except Mr.. d. Clark and wife, of Buffalo,
n Y, went on the Hibernian.
DEPARTURE OF AN EXPEDITION FROM THIS
PORT TO SAVE THE STATE OF VIRGINIA
WHAT THE wREcKERs HOPE TO ACHIEVE.
The Board of Underwriters decided to send de.
tachment of the Coast wrecking Company to the
scene of the wreck OF the steamer State of Virginia SO
as to save much of the cargo as possible If the
weather should hold fine hopes entertained of
the recovery of the steamer.
The expedition fitted out by the Coast wreckino
Company sailed from the Wrecking Company's dock
at Stapeton. Staten Island, at three O'Clock yester
day afternoon. The clpper-built schooner H. w.
Johnson. in which the expedition sailed it was ex.
pected would leave at daybreak yesterday, but her
departure postponed owing to delay In getting
her clearance papers through the Custom House.
With favorable winds, the officials Of the company
say, the Johnson should make Sable Island by next
Sunday.
The expedition Is in charge of Captain Frederick
Sharp. who acts the agent of the Coast wrecking
OF these three Divers two engineers and the
remainder wreckers of long experience. The
Johnson is of 160 tons burden, with sharp Prov
and has very rakish look. She is amply pro-
Island Captain Sharp will report to Captain Noodle
OF the State of Virginia and Thomas Cleary, super
intendent of the State line who is now ut Halifax.
IN HOPE OF SAVING THE SHIP.
If the ship has not been broken up by storms in
the meantime operations toward saving the vessel
and cargo will begin at once. An examination Of
the vessel will first be made by the divers and IL
they report it practicable to endeavor save the
ship active measures to that end will be taken with
out delay. Gables 200 fathoms in length of sixteen
and eighteen inches thickness and conseQ uenty OF
enormous tensile strength will be carried out from
the stern Of the vessel, each attached to anchors
weighing from 5,40O to 5000 pounds each. These
anchors will be backed and steaded by other cables
and anchors carried still further out to sea.
The johnson carried full supply of all the APP
paratus required in saving vessel Of the great size
blocks and pulls to be attached to steam hosting
machinery, which will be placed the deck Of the
preparations are made three powerful steam pumps
will be put in operation capable Of dischargng
seventy-hve barrels Of water . minute. Divers will
be sent below to stop the leaks II the ship found
to be not badly strained the wreckers hopes of
saving the vessel and cargo intact. If. however.
they find her so badly damaged as to preclude all
hope Of being saved the divers will go below and
save as much as possible of the cargo and
ships stores and fixtures. Should the efforts
of the wreckers be attended with success
and the State of Virginia be foated
she will be sailed into the nearest American port
In the event of her leaking badly the vessel will be
taken into Portland Me-. but if the contrary should
prove to be the she will be brought to this port
and placed on dry dock. With fair weather the
wreckers hope. provided the vessel shall be found
lying easily, to have her afoat within ten days.
Once taken into port she will be delivered subject ia
the orders of the owners and underwriters.
The agents Of the State line in this city with.
out any advices yesterday from Halifax. 1t was
pected that most of the rescued passengers sailed
the Allan line steamer Hibernian for Europe. Sew
era will. however, undoubtedly return here. q
number of communications are known to have been
forwarded by friends OF those who were ship.
wrecked nstructing requesting the latter to dis
continue their journey aud return home.