ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH, HISTORY OF THE. The construction of the trans-Atlantic cable followed as the result of the successful laying and operation of various shorter submarine lines. The first definite suggestion of telegraphic com munication between England and America dates from 1845, when the Messrs. Brett, who a few years later were active in the construction of the first telegraph lines across the English Chan nel, registered a 'General Oceanic Telegraph Company.' Before proceeding with this enter prise. they successfully laid a cable across the English Channel (1851), which was of such ex cellent construction that it survived for a num ber of years. The success of this and other European cables led to the discussion of tele graphic communication between America and Europe by way of .Newfopndland. The original plan was to carry the line across that island to Saint John's. and there intercept the incoming steamers, and by means of carrier-pigeons and a direct telegraph line to the United States. transmit messages. The cooperation of Cyrus W. Field was enlisted in 1S54, and he became interested not only in this scheme, but also in a project of a trans-Atlantic cable, which he pushed with vigor. The Government of Newfoundland conferred on the company ex clusive rights of landing a cable upon its coast, and privileges were also obtained from the governments of Prince Edward's Island, Canada, and the State of Maine. An unsuccessful at tempt to lay a cable across the Gulf of Saint Lawrence was made in 1855, but in the following year this work was accomplished satisfactorily, and one link in the chain completed. The next question was that of the main cable from New foundland to Ireland along a route which had previously been surveyed by American and Brit ish war vessels, and which, on account of its comparatively shallow depth, was called the Telegraphic Plateau. Extensive tests meanwhile were made to determine the character of the cable, and the many problems involved were dis cussed with interest by eminent engineers and electricians, many of whom declared the laying and operation of the cable to be impossible.
Through the efforts of Mr. Field, and with the aid of Liverpool and London capitalists, the Atlantic Telegraph Company was formed, with a capital of £350,000, and assistance in the form of subsidies (114,000 per annum during the opera tion of the cable was promised by Great Britain) ; and ships for laying the cable were secured from the governments of Great Britain and the United States. In the first board of directors were William Thomson, who was the electrical engi neer of the company, and John Pender; the for mer, afterwards Lord Kelvin, becoming widely known in the scientific world, while the latter was subsequently interested in the construction and laying of many ocean cables. The conductor,
which was prepared under certain specifications, consisted of seven fine copper wires, each of No. 22 gauge, twisted together so as to form a cord which was one-twelfth inch in thickness, and weighed 107 pounds per nautical mile. This was covered with three layers of gutta-percha, over which was a coating of hempen yarn saturated with pitch, tar, beeswax, and boiled linseed oil. The sheathing consisted of 18 strands, each formed by seven No. 22 iron wires, making the entire cable about six-tenths inch in diameter, and its weight one ton to the mile.
This cable, when completed, was divided in two equal portions, and loaded on the U.S.S. Niagara and H.M.S. ..4guniemnon, which were loaned for this purpose by the respective govern ments, and suitably equipped. A start was made from Valentia, a port on the west coast of Ire land, on August 6, 1857, and the cable was paid out from the Niagara until a break occurred and the end was lost. At this early stage of cable laying, such a misfortune served to put an end to the attempt, and the vessels returned to Plym outh, where the cable was stored and protected. Additional capital was raised by the company, 700 miles of new cable constructed, and another attempt was essayed in the following year. In stead of laying the cable directly from the Irish coast, the Niagara and ifprineninon proceeded to mid-ocean, where they joined the ends of their respective cables and then steamed in opposite directions. Again misfortune attended the expe dition, and owing to a double break 144 miles of cable were lost. Notwithstanding these mishaps, another start was made July 17, and on July 29, 1S5S, the two vessels separated. As a result of good fortune and careful management, they suc ceeded in landing safely the ends of the cable on the Irish and Newfoundland shores. On August 17 complete connections of the cable with the receiving instruments and land wires were made and the following message was sent over the wire: "Europe and America are united by tele graph. Glory to God in the highest; on earth. peace and good-will toward men." Messages and replies from Queen to President, and between other officials followed, and the event was cele brated enthusiastically on both sides of the At lantic. The station at Newfoundland was con nected with the general telegraphic system of America, and that at Valentia with the British and European lines.