When the gale had settled, we returned again, and found that no
harm had been done. The remainder of the hooks were properly
attached to the rest of the tanks, the chains were screwed
tightly up, and the tanks were pumped clear. Then the tide rose;
and before high water we had the great satisfaction of getting
the body of the vessel under weigh, and towing her about a
cable's length from her old bed. At each tide's work she was
lifted higher and higher, and towed into shallower water towards
Belfast; until at length we had her, after eight days, safely in
the harbour, ready to enter the graving dock,--not more ready,
however, than we all were for our beds, for we had neither
undressed nor shaved during that anxious time. Indeed, our
friends scarcely recognised us on our return home.
The result of the enterprise was this. The clean cut made into
the bow of the ship by the collision was soon repaired. The crop
of oysters with which she was incrusted gave place to the scraper
and the paintbrush. The Wolf came out of the dock to the
satisfaction both of the owners and underwriters; and she was
soon "ready for the road," nothing the worse for her ten months'
immersion.[2]
Meanwhile the building of new iron ships went on in the Queen's
Island. We were employed by another Liverpool Company--the
British Shipowners' Company, Limited--to supply some large
steamers.
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