Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-13
COULD NOT LAY CABLH.
Attempt to Place First Span to Homo
 lulu Fails.

lulu Fails.
 SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13.-An un- successful attempt was made yester- day to lay the shore end of the Pacific cable. As result the big steamer Sil- vertown, with the cable in her hold, is still floating idly on the waters of San Francisco bay, and aboard of her there is keen appointment that adverse conditions made a failure of the at tempt to lay the first span of cable to- ward the new American possessions
 A strong unfavorable tide was the chief cause of the failure of the first step of the great undertaking, and mi nor casualties marked the efforts of the workmen at the shore end, one of the victims being no less parsonage than Clarence H. Mackay, president of the Commercial Cable company, who was not seriously huHt. The day was perfect as to weather conditions, and the occasion had been made the cause for a semiholiday, fully 25,0oo people being gathered at the beach, one-half of them school children, to witness the beginning of the cable laying.
 -.. AC hoAAN VI LoN1A 5OL ," AAoAh her anchorage in the bay soon after daylight and was at anchor off the beach two hours later. The surf was breaking heavily off shore, but the seas were rapidly moderating. It was decided to delay hauling the cable ashore until the water should become somewhat smoother.
 Clarence H. Mackay and his fellow officers of the Pacific Commercial Ca ble company had two large tents erect ed on the sands of the beach close to where the shore connection was to be made, and there they entertained their friends as they arrived.
 It was nearly Il o'clock before the life saving crews from the south side and the Bakers Beach stations ap- peared on the scene with their surf boats ready to lend any assistance that might be needed i'll communicating be- tween the steamer and the shore The crews of these boats and the crews of two boats launched from the steamer carried large rope from the Silver town to point outside the breakers and waited there while another boat from the life saving station came out through the surf to carry the end of the rope to the land The boat, drawn by horses, came into the surf, and the crew climbed into their places There was a cheer from the crowd as the men met the breakers, and that cheer frightened the horses The team broke away from the driver and, with the boat carriage dragging after it. plunged into the crowd of people who had gath cred on the beach.
 Several children were knocked down in the scramble to get out of the way of the maddened horses. but the ami malls were caught before serious in jury had been done. After several at tempts the life saving crew succeeded in getting ashore a hawser to which was attached the cable. A wait of four and a half hours for water was had before an attempt was made to draw the cable ashore. The haWser sagged so that it was impossible to draw 1t ashore through the strong tide. Just before the attempt was abandoned for the day several men took hold of the hawser for final pull. The hawser flew up and struck Clarence Mackay, who was hit on the chin and knocked off his feet. George W. McNear of this city was struck in the back of the head and rendered unconscious for a short time. Frank Hotaling Of New York was struck in the face. sustain ing severe cut.
 Darkness coming on, the Silvertown returned to her anchorageain the bay. Another trial will be made Monday.