The operation was a success . . .

but the patient died.

A cap was seated atop a blown-out Gulf well but the volcano of oil obscured it from view early Friday making it impossible to tell if BP's latest attempt to curtail the nation's worst spill was having any success.

Robots a mile beneath the Gulf of Mexico positioned the inverted funnel-like lid over the main pipe on the leaking well on Thursday night. Live video footage, though, showed that the oil seemed unimpeded. BP spokesman Toby Odone said he had no immediate information on whether the cap was successfully attached.

The placement was a positive step but not a solution, said Coast Guard Adm.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/03/1661537/bp-cuts-pipe-plans-to-lower-cap.html