The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-10-27
THE CONTRACTOR SAYS HE
WASN'T READY.
A Wrecking Crew Arrives From San
Francisco-Captain Metcalf Will
Hold Survey.


ferent and better means are taken to
remove her or until she breaks up.
AS it was wei! known last evening
that an attempt was to be made this
morning to float the vessel, a great
many people were on hand shortly after
4.oclock to witness the proceedings.
steam was up on the tug, and about 4:3o
Captain Rice rang the engine room
bell, and the Eleu steamed away for
the scene of action. On board were
Minister King, Attorney General Smith,
Mr.. Rowell, Mr.. Grieve, press repre-
sentatives and others, all anxious to get
near enough to see how the Sam son
poles would work
When the tug came to anchor just to
windward of the Miowera it was still
too dark to see what was being done
on board, but that there was activity
among the workers was evidenced by
the sounds of running tackle, the
groaning of the timber and the squeak
ing of ropes. A very close watch was
kept on the Miowera's ancho rchains, as
it was known that if she moved ahead
any the chains would sacken, and as
nothing of the kind happened it was
soon appearant that the scheme had
failed, at least, till another tide
About six o'clock most of those on
the tug got into the pilot boat, Pilot
Lorenzen having come aboard after
taking the Mariposa into port, and
we're rowed around the Miowera to
ascertain, if possible, the cause of the
difficulty.
The chain passing under the steam
er's stern was seen to be hanging slack,
having slipped forward when the strain
was put on it from the two tall poles
nearest the stern, thereby making it
useless for the time being All the
lifting gear forward was taunt, but in
the estimation of Minister King, Pilot
Lorenzen and others in the boat, the
gear was so arranged that it would not
lift anything like what would be neces-
sary to float the ship.
Either those who looked the situa-
ton over this morning are terribly out
in their judgement, or else Mr.. Nc.
Dowell has made a great mistake,
which will be decided when the tide
comes in again tomorrow morning.
Meantime the little contractor is just
as confident as ever.
M'DowELL WASN'T READY.
Mr.. Mcdowell was seen this morn
ing shortly after he came ashore from
the Miowera, and when asked why the
steamer was not afoat said: 81 made
no attempt to float her this morning as
l was unable to get my gear ready in
time to take advantage of the high tide.
All we did was to hoist up on the bows
little, which proves that we can lift heI
when everything is ready. We will
have her off before to morrow noon
without doubt, as our gear will all be
ready and in place before another high
tide" Mr. McDowelfs statement to
the contrary, it is believed that a
decided attempt was made to float the
vessel this morning. Public opinion
has undergone change on the subject
during the past twenty four hours, and
while the contractors pluck and hope
fitness are matters of general admira
ton, there are few who do not now
believe that he must ultimately fail ir
his undertaking.
CAPTAIN METCALF ARRIVES.
When the Mariposa came in thi.
morning she brought Lloyds' surveyor
Captain Metcalf, who was accompanied
by the professional divers, the Louget
brothers, who have been sent here b,
the Lloyds to save the Miowera il pos
sible.
Captain Metcalf was seen by STAF
representative aboard the Mariposa thi
morning, but on being asked what hi
plans were, if he had formed any, hi
replied that as he knew SO very little o
the situation it would be impossible t
form any plans till after he had made ;
survey of the vessel and her surround
ings
81 only arrived from Chicago abou
two hours before the Mariposa sailed,
said the captain, "and consequent,
had little time to make any preparation
for the undertaking, and | know abso
lutely nothing about what will b'
necessary to foatthe steamer. If thu
present contrantor fails in his effort t
remove the Miowera, then we can try
but l hope very much that he will sue
coed, as l would much sooner see hin
take her off than try it myself AT al
events, we can do nothing in the matte
till the time specified in his contrac
expires"
when will you make survey% wa
asked.
"Probaby tomorrow morning abou
daylight; but | can tell nothing to
certainty till have seen the captain
and know more about the way thing
stand"
One of the Lougee brothers said, il
speaking of the wreck, that the mistak
of tightening vessel while on rec
before seeing that she was securel
moored, was one that is made by abou
nine captains out of ten.
The wrecking gear brought from Sa
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