The Express.
London, England, 1865-07-26 00:00:00

(TWOPENCE

ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH EXPEDITION.

(nor ova snow,

VALINTIA. liosnax, JOLT N.
Nothing could be more auspicious than the
weather of yesterday, and certainly nothing could
be mom successful than the final splicing of the
cable, and the departure of the Great Eastern.
From first to last there was not a single incident to
mar the satisfaction of than present, or which could
be construed into an unfavourable omen to the
mighty work in hand. The shore end of the cable
has been tested every few hours in the receiving-
house at Foilhummerum Bay since its submersion,
and while on board the Caroline the return was only
seven millions of units to the minute, it rose to
thirteen millions before the wire had been under
water 24 hours. This increase means practically
that from one to two words a minute can be passed
along the cable, in exceed of what was done before
the laying, the cold water having increased
the insularity, and strengthened its already
splendid condition. The Great Eastern was
ordered to hold herself in readiness on Saturday,
and about midnight on that day Captain Anderson
received a final message from Mr. Glees that every-
thing was ready, and that the big ship was to steam
out to the Caroline with all convenient speed. The
Hawk--4 swift screw steamer, built as a Confede-
rate blockade-runner, and recently purchased by
the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Com-
pany—left Valentin at 9.30 a.m., with Lord John
Hay, Sir Robert Peel, M.P., the Knight of Kerry.
and the Misses Fitzgerald, Mrs. Glass, Mr. and
Mrs. Edwards, Captain and Mn White, Mr. J. C.
Parkinson, and others, on board, and after passing
Bray-head, and the rugged island rocks called the
Skelligs about 11 am., came up to the Great
Eastern and Caroline soon after one am.

As soon as the Hawk arrived within earshot every
one on board the big ship's tender came aft, and SUB.
Peel gave the signal for three cheers,a hearty response
to which soon came over the water. At this time
the Caroline was within a few hundred yards of the
chief cable ship, andihalf a dozen well manned boats,
including the two paddle ones from the Sphynx,
were busily engaged in easing the cable and facili-
tating the splice. From the stern of the Great
Eastern a thin line could be seen, which, dropping
in the water at an apparently sharp angle, was towed
by the boats to join the Caroline, and made to com-
municate between the two ships. The splicing was
proceeded with without delay. First the end of
each cable was divested of its gutta-percha coating,
its outside wires and hemp, and the core and
marrow of the undertaking, the copper conductor,
was exposed. Then, by careful smoothing and
paring both shore end and main line were reduced
to a line point at their respective terminations.
After this they were bound together by very thin
copper wires, the conductors having been previously
firmly joined in what is technically called "a
scarf." Great pains and care were given to this
portico of the delicate operation, as upon its suc-
cess depends the insularity of the cable and its
consistent continuity. After every conceivable test
bad been applied, it was reported to 'is as strong,
if not stronger, than any other part. The thin
wires binding the joint were then fused and
asiissd into one mass, after which narrow bands
of guns perch% nearly as soft and pliable as
treacle, were wound round it, and tightly pressed
down. A coating of Chatterton's compound, a com-
bination of materials to ensure insularity, was next
dexterously applied, then some more layers of gutty
perch*, and the splice was pronounced ready
for testing. It was placed in cold water
for this purpose. and signals having been
passed through it with entire moons the final
guard of outside wire and hemp was put on, and
the whole sunk into the sea. Experiments were
next tried from the extreme end of the cable on
board the Great Eastern to the office of the com-
pany in Foilhummerum Bay, the signals coming
with a precision and distinctness astonishing to the
operators at each end. Every test known to science
having been now exhausted, the electricians de-
clared themselves satisfied, and the great cable ship
went on her way. By this time it was 4.30 p.m.,
and there were now quite three miles between the
two ships. The Hawk, which kept hovering about
the Great Eastern, the Terrible, and the Spbynx,
now towiag a boat for one of them, now making
efforts, some effectual some ineffectual, to send
visitors across to the former, was then signalled,
and a message sent by her to the captain of the
Caroline. The effect of this was, that on a
certain flag being lowered, the last fasten-
ings were out, and the cable passed without
intervening obstacle from the Great Eastern
through the mean to the shore. One more
journey brought the Hawk close alongside the
monster vessel, when every one clue:end on the
poop or rigging to take a last look, to shout con-
gratulation, and to obeer farewell. Captain
Anderson, Mr. Halpine, the popular chief officer,
Mr. Cyrus Field, Mr. Varley, Professor Thomson,
Mr. Canning, Mr. Clifford, Mr. Gooch, ant Mr.
O'Neil, A.R.A., were all easily recognised, and
after a succession of good wishes had been shouted
from the Hawk and returned from the Great
Eastern, the latter fired her guns, her at-
tendant vessel was dismissed with thanks, the
Terrible sad the Spbrix steamed slowly towards
her at the stern, and in a short time a few lofty
spars, and finally a pillar of smoke such as might
have guided the Israelites out of Egypt, alone
marked the position of the great ship.
Lord John Hay, Sir Robert Peel, the Knight of
Kerry, and a few other gentlemen succeeded in
getting on board the Great Eastern for half-an-
hour or so, but of course returned here in the
Hawk, which,.gaily dressed out with .flags, preceded
the poor old Caroline (which, with red hull and
clumsy action, looked literally like a fire engine
turned upside down and sent to sea, after she was
lightened of the shore end) by an hour or two in
to the harbour, which she reached just before 11
p.m. Fishermen, peasants, sailors, country people,
and labourers in the adjacent slate-works were
waiting on the shore, and despite the telegraphic
communication the question, " Is all well with the
Great Eastern 1" reached us across the silent waters
of the channel, directly the outline of the Hawk
could be dimmed. May the answer, " All's
well," be repeated sus eines as inquiries are made con-
cerning the great vessel and the mighty enterprise
on which she has embarked.

(11T MT= AND WNW MAOIIL7IC ISLIONADN.)
VALE/771i, Itz9DAY, 9 Lie.
♦ fault on board ONG:vat Eastern was signalled
as having been discovered and repaired at nine
this morning. The latest signals were up to 4.90
p.m to-day. They said all was well, and that lay-
ing the cable had been resumed. Both currents
through the wires were right to a second of time,
sad the signals themselves were perfectly distinct.