The morning call., 1893-11-01

sea outside the bar. but only long. low
swells reached the wrecked steamer and
spent their fury on the beach rather than
on the helpless vessel.
Several old salts looked knowingly at
the distant horizon and said the air smelt
of SOU westsrs, and that there was no tell
ing what day might bring forth. Up to
$50 o'clock in the afternoon the day had
not brought forth anything but fog bank
and a promise OF rain, and Captain Gray
of the red stacks. Captain Whltelaw and
the Pacific Mail officials said lit is good"
If the presence of official dignity could
have raised the New YORK there IS no
doubt but that she would be safely in the
drydock long ere this. Vice-President
CrOcker was on board at an early hour, as
was Agent Alexander Center and Leuten-
ant r. p. SchWeTin. Numerous other Off
GERS of the Pacific Mail Company were
present also.
Lieutenant Schwerin is overseeing the
work of placing the big pumps in posi-
ton and things in general. He did not care
TO say whether he thought the vessel
could be saved or not. lie was inclined TO
the opinion that preponderauce of such
weighty testimony as be might be able TO
impart should best be delivered on dry
land and after the steamer was safely
fioated for fear that it might sink her. But
i
terest OF bis company, and to his credit let
II be said that ne is doing the very best
that he knows how.
Too much praise cannot be rendered
Captain Whitelaw and Captain Gray Tor
the systematic and determined manner IN
which they have carried out their plans 10
save the ship. So successful have they
been that early yesterday morning, when
the pumps were all set TO work, the water
was so far lowered in her hold that her
buoyancy caused her to move on her cradle
of rock.
A CALL reporter visited the wreck on
the tug Hercules, which left the Red
Stacks dock at l :03 o'clock. When the
Hercules came alongside the steamer two
of the big pumps were working. The one
forward, used to pump through the main
hatch, was throwing copious stream of
water over the port side. The pump just
forward of the mainmast was also working
in full blast
Eight pumps in all will be used, and
when these are operated in unison then it
is expected that the vessel. will rise slowly
from the rocks and can be pulled Off by the
tugs.
AS the hour for high water large ap-
preached everything was not in readiness
and it was decided 10 postpone the great
effort for the New York's life until this
morning.
II don't think there will be any trouble
in pumping her clear when we get all the
pumps TO working" said Captain Gray,
"but cannot say anything about the DOS
sibilities Of saving her. 1t would not look
right for me to express myself offhand."
1t is evident. however, that Captain Gray
thinks that there IS good chance to save
the steamer.
81 don't believe ! ever saw a more
favorable continuance Of weather." he
added, land the success of our efforts will
depend great deal on whether the sea
remains smooth. No, l do not think there
are any indications of a heavy blow, but
then one never can tel"
Divers worked all the forenoon over the
port side of the steamer. After an exam
ination held under great difficulties, owing
to the swell and currents. two holes were
located The report was made that the
vessel instead Of resting on pinnacle of
rock is between two blind lodges, which
hold her as in wise. One of the holes
mentioned is in the shade of I. 1t is
about 80 inches In length and about is
inches across the arm. The other break is
about Is by IS inches In size. These holes
are not broken entirely through the plates.
but are dented in after the fashion of a
hole broken in tin can by blow from a
sharp-pointed instrument. The divers
duty was TO plug these dents with blankets,
which task was partially accomplished.
Blankets are used for such work, because
canvas or any cloth Of smooth texture
would slip through and not hold to the
ragged edge of the plates.
There is a great diversity of opinion as
TO whether more than these two holes
exist. Some think that numerous small
punctures have been made alorg the ships
keel
Though none of those engaged in trying
to save the steamer admitted It, 1t was
learned from good authority that SO Tar as
clearing the steamer of water Is concerned
this could be done in four hours time with
only the pumps now in position working.
III such Is the case, the next great difficulty
which presents itself is. how to keep the
plugs from being sucked through the
breaks. The immense pressure upon them
can easily be imagined.
From one of the wrecking crew ii was
learned that the divers reported that the
/ dents amidships were clear of the rocks
and had the appearance of being made by