The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-02 00:00:00

THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.

The al rangements preparatory to making another
attempt to connect Europe and America by tele-
graph during the present summer, are progressing
a.:►ively.
. . . . .

The cable, which has been stored during the
winter in the tanks erected by permission of the
Government at the Keyham Steam Yard, at Devon-
port, is now being coiled on board her Majesty's
ship Agamemnon and the United States frigate
Niagara, both of which ships have again been de-
voted to this work by the countries to which they
respectively belong.
Up to yesterday, 320 miles bad been coiled on
beard the Agamemnon and 84 on board the Nagara.
A large number of men are engaged in the coiling,
from the hours of five a.m. to seven p.m., every
day, except Sunday, and the whole is expected to
be on board by the 10th of May. The additional
300 miles of cable recommended by the directors in
their report to the shareholders is in process of
manufacture by Glass, Elliot, and Co., a sufficient
amount of the new capital having been subscribed
for this put pose. It will have been completed and
coiled on board by the second week in May.
The scientific committee appointed to consult and
carry on experiments with regard to the paying-out
machinery have at length so far decided upon the
principle of the sheaves and retarders to be used on
the presen-. Occasion as to be enabled to order one
complete machine, which will be finished in about
a fortnight, and which will then be set up at the
works of Messrs. Easton and Amos, and subjected
to s-veral experimental tests.
When this is don it is the intention of the direc-
t rs to invite by circular as many engineers and
machinists of known ability and eminence as pos-
sible, to visit and inspect the entire apparatus
during a certain fixed period, and to solicit as a
favour their critical observations and suggestions
upon its form and construction.
If no good cause be shown for further important
alterations in the machinery, it is intended. .
that the Niagara and Agamemnon, which it is esti-
mated will have been completely fitted and ready
by the last week in .play, shall, before commencing
to lay the cable, proceed to sea, and in the deep
water, ab Jut 300 miles fi om the Irish coast, re-
hearse a series of experirat nts in paying out and
hauling in, and put to a practical test several sug-
ge-tions and appliances that have been proposed to
the company by various ingenious persons who have
taken an active interest in the success of the enter-
prise. The two ships will then return to England
again and report progre,s, and under this arrange-
ment, should the experiment show that improve-
ment or alteration is desirable in any of the
apparatus, there will be time to get it effected so
as to enable the expedition to make their final start
at a period of the 3ear when, according to the
unanimous testimony of all whose experience of the
weather in the North Atlantic bas been consulted,
the sea and air are likely to be in the most favour-
able condition for facilitating the success of the
undertaking.
The Agamemnon is now being put in commission,
and will be commanded by Captain George W.
Preedy ; and the Admiralty have, in addition to
the Agameninon, appropriated the Gorgon, Com-
mauder Dayman, and another paddle-wheel steamer,
to the service of the Atlantic Company, the latter
as auxiliary to the Agamemnon in ease of her need-
ing assistance, and the former to keep the sailing
course, there. being a possibility that the compasses
of the ships containing the cable may be affected
by the proximity of so large a mass of iron.
It is expected that the United States Govern-
ment will also shortly despatch to England a large
paddle-wheel steamer on a similar service in respect
to the Niagara. Thus there will be a total of five
ships of war engaged on the present occasion to
realise this great international work.
In the electrical dep irimeut, the directors have
called to the aid of Mr. Whitehouse the services of
Professor Thomson, LL.D., Mr. Walker, F.R.S.,
and Mr. Henley. It is also their intention to con-
sult other electricians and telegraphists, with a view
to secure the greatest attainable amount of speed
in working through the cable and the best practic-
able form of appaiatus for transmitting signals.

Country Maniets