"Deep-Sea Ice Crystals Stymie Gulf Oil Leak Fix"

"ON THE GULF OF MEXICO -- Icelike crystals encrusting a 100-ton steel-and-concrete box meant to contain oil gushing from a broken well deep in the Gulf of Mexico forced crews Saturday to back off the long-shot plan, while more than 100 miles away, blobs of tar washed up at an Alabama beach full of swimmers.

The failure in the first attempt to use the specially constructed containment box over the leak 50 miles off the Louisiana coast, coupled with the ominous arrival of the sticky substance at Dauphin Island, Ala., crushed hopes of a short-term solution to what could yet grow into the worst oil spill in the nation's history.

More than 3 million gallons of crude have spewed into the Gulf since a rig exploded April 20, killing 11, and officials said it would be at least Monday before a different solution is found."

Sarah Larimer and Harry R. Weber report for the Associated Press May 9, 2010.

See Also:

"BP Looks for New Plan To Stop Leak" (Los Angeles Times)

"BP Plans To Unload Equipment For New Attempt" (AP)

"BP wrestles with oil spill hitch in Gulf of Mexico" (BBC News)