The Portland daily press., 1898-08-17
WORK ON THE COLON.
How the Wreckers Will Try to Raise
the Warship.

Reason to Believe That 1t Will Be Sue
cessful-Ths w ork of Running Chains
Under the shipe-Use of the Air Bags.
IN. Y. Sum-
When Richmond Pearson Hobson, Ma
val Constructor, U. S. N, after person
al inspection of tho wrecked spanish
ships near Santiago, told Admiral Samp-
son that, in his opinion, both the Colon
and the Maria Teresa could pe saved, he
was sent north at once to lay his views
before the authorities at Washington.
He talked SO oonvincinlgy that it was
not many hours before no was in con-
sultation with a wrecking company. In
a corner of one of their offices sits quiet
American citizen. From his desk go
forth many invisible lines leading to all
lines are peculiar tugs and floats and
giant cranes. and email army of men
to work Them One of these lines led to
an unfortunate battleship whose bones
still lie in Havana harbor. And another
line is even now leading down to stretch
of beach on the south coast of Cuba where
Spanish war vessels are grovelling and
grinding and beating as if anxious to es-
cape from the vengeance of an outraged
people. 1t is to save two of these craft
that the wrecker has marshalled his
forces at Hobson's invitation.
That the task will be difficult is well
known to those who understand the ways
of the weather during these hurricane
months around Cuba, but Hobson by his
intelligence and bravery has earned the
confidence of the Government, and he is
to have free hand in the matter. There
is another reason why the Government is
anxious to float these ships-one outlined
Navy Department during the discussion
of the question:
"We must not tail to fly Old Glory over
at least one of the ships of Cervera's
former fleet, even if it means double the
cost of the vessel'' He said. "The das-
tardly attempt on the part of the Spanish
crews to cheat US out Of them by opening
the sea valves after the white flag of sur
render was flying shall not succeed"
To those who are familiar with the sea
and its way g, the task confronting the
wecking comp any in the case of the Girls
tobal Colon is stupendous. She lies on
her beam ends on q sloping part OF the
Cuban coast some forty weight miles from
Santiago. 1t will be necessary to right
her and then, supported by pontoons
tow the hull to Santiago. Standings
already taken show that her position is
such that sudden storm from the south
L. 49, ia. I,-. fsrrf t,or
upon the beach, a contingency that will
render the work of wrecking her almost
if not quite impossible. There are able
men engaged in the task, however-meu
who have confronted such problems be-
fore-and at this present time OF writing
the odds are even that the Cristobal
Colon will sail under the American flag
In due course OF time.
The plan formulated by Naval Con-
structor Hobson, and approved by the
wrecking company holding the contract,
calls for the uee of pontoOnS OF great lift
ing capacity, and a number of air bags
The latter are to be placed empty within
the hull, and then inflated. The air bag
idea is comparatively new, but the use of
pontoons is an old story. The outfit for
work on the Spanish warhips includes
number of strongly built pontoons, sew
eral powerful tugs and large floating
crane.
The first duty to be attended to in %
case like that of the Colon is1ste Tighten
her of everything movable. When this is
accomplished the real labor begins. The
pontoons are towed alongside and placed
in positions equally divided on each side
of the wreck. Heavy chains must now be
passed under the hull, and to do this it is
necessary te77proceed first with what is
technically known as a sweep chain or
"messenger.s" This is "a small chain
which is sawed through the mud and
debris al. the bottom to place ander the
keel, where the main lifting chains are
passed from pontoon to pontoon.
A number of chains of increasing thick
ness are then drawn under. until the
heavy chain which is to do the work Is in
position. Chain after chain follows, until
there are a sufficient number to answer
the purpose. This preliminary task is by
no means easy, as the masses OF debris
which naturally accumulate under the
hull retard progress. and often call Tor
the services of several divers. The chains
when finally In place, pass up through
the pontoon wells to the pontoon decks,
for controlling them. These chains are
immense affairs, and the utmost care is
taken in their man ufacture. Cases have
occurred where defective links have been
the means of undoing in one moment the
work of weeks
In rlgQGlng vessels Oh buelF UettM cHuS
the process known as parbuckling Is gen
orally used. The chains are passed from
the pontoons vertically downward and
completely under the side of the hull
which touches the shoai Then they pass
upward, by the keel, are led over the OPP
pOsite side, and are then attached to some
object on the wreck, such as the mast or
superstrucJure. When the tide is out,
the slack on the chains is taken in and
the ends are securely fastened to the pom
toons. If everything works we'll, if the
chains safely stand the strain, il the mast
or superstructure does not give way, then
the rise of the tide will cause the hull to
be gradually lifted, until she stands on
an even keel.
This much accomplished, preparati ons
are made to float the wreck. In the case
of the Colon, divers will be utilized to
place the empty air bags il the lower
decks. Each bag is supposed to be ca
pable of lifting thirteen TONS AS the
Spaniard was heavy ship, great num-
Der of these in addition to the pontoons,
will be needed. The placing of the bags
is not difficult task as rule, but due
attention must be paid to the tide on the
uban coast, and to the fact that the
spot is entirely open to the sea and the