The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-03 00:00:00

THE OCEAN TEL GRAPH.

The last act of Secretary Dobbin, before retiring
from office, was to transmit orders to the Navy
Yard at Brooklyn to fit out at once the United
States steamers Niagara and Mississippi to proceed
to Ens.,land to assist in laying down the submarine
telegraph cable (between Newfoundland and Ireland.
These are the two &est ships in our navy for the
purpose. The Niagara is the largest steam-vessel
of war in the world. She is a screw-propeller,
while the Mississippi is the most powerful paddle-
wheel steamer in our navy. The English Govern-
ment will furnish also two ships of the same-cha-
racter—the two propellers being designed to receive
the cable, and the paddle-ships to attend them, and
in case of accident to take theta in tow and con-
tinue the voyage. As soon as the cable is received
on board, the four ships will proceed together to
the middle of the Atlantic, when the two English
ships will start for Ireland, and the American
for Newfoundland. There will doubtless lie a
generous rivalry between the officersaf the two na-
vies to see which portion of the cable shall be laid
in the most perfect manner. It is very much to the
honour of the two Governments that they are ready
to join so cordially in the attempt to connect the two
hemispheres. It is a national courtesy worthy
follow the return of the.Resolut.e. Secretary Dobbin
has taken the deepest ihterest m the success of this-
great enterprise, as h. e has shown in ordering these
purpose. The new
magnificento
doubtless
sfuora
carry
yhe
will out fully the inten-
tions of his. predecessor.
. The two factories at which
dt the cable. rr h:
Niagarab rn locatedg
will
sthalrfeo
rLoinvee
or Liverpool o ol
theseanpdo
rLtso tat.
as
soon soon as she can be made ready, say by the end of
the present month—an English steamer loading
simultaneously at the other factory. Meanwhile
the Niagara will be. fitted up with apparatus
to pay out the wire, corresponding with that
vhich was used by the James Adger in laying
the Newfoundland cable, but of a less ponder-
ous- kind, as the cable soon to be laid is much
more pl.;ant and manageable than the former.
The new (table is making at the rate of 15 miles per
day av each factory, and is expected to be com-
pleted and laid down before the end of June. It
will not be necessary that the Mi<sissippi should.
leave t1,,0 United States until a short time previous
to the laying of the cable.—New York paper.

PROPOSE.D MEMORIAL TO THE LATE JoHN BRITTON.—
The subscriptc on at the Institute of Architects is making
gradual proi3r, ess towards the amount contemplated,
1001., and the committee have determined that their
tribute shall tali e the shape of an incised brass plate in
vitto be set up there. Some of Mr.
Salisbury Cathec, 'rad, the dean and chapter having readily
contented to alloi
Britton's friends a re anxiouP,. as we have already
1d their desire to subscribe for
men-
tioned, to give the memorial a more important charac-
ter, and Mr. Tite F.R.S., Mr. Alderman Cubitt, Mr.
aCulidarol
others,
ellrei,l lb, Le .S:X ~ Mr. Alderman Proctor, of Bristol,
i g., ifie
such a purpose, for vi,l'iich about 3001. it is said would be
required. • The inst itution committee have expressed by
a resolution their wi.llingness to allow their incised brass
to be combined with ;to'is restoration, if it can be effect.
ed, and to contribute AL 'wards it whatever might remain
from their subscription a fter paying for the Otte. As a
centre is needed, so that t he good desires of the friends
,of Mr. Britton may be reek 'ised, we venture to state that
communications on the Su, bject may be addressed to
Nathaniel Gould, Esq., No, 4, Tasistock•square.—The
Builder. ,