The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-29 00:00:00

ROYAL GEOGRAPRICAL SOCIETY.

A meeting of the members of the Royal Geogra-
phical Society was held last evening at Burlington
House ; Lord Ashburton occupied the chair, and
there was a very numerous and fashionable attend-
ance. The usual formal business of confirming
minutes, electing members, &c., having been per-
formed,

The CHAIRMAN said the subject with which they
had .this evening to deal was the North Atlantic
Telegraph ; it was one so interesting that he should
not detain them with any observations himself. It
was a matter upon which such a society could look
without any of those feelings of jealousy which
might operate in the minds of other persons who
were desirous of supporting some particular route.
Sir Leopold M'Clintock then read a paper on the
surveys of her Majesty's ship Bulldog of the deep
seas on the route of the projected North Atlantic
Telegraph. He said—ln compliance with a re-
quest from the promoters of the North Atlantic
Telegraph route, her Majesty's Government dis-
patched the Bulldog under his command, on the
Ist July last, with orders to ascertain the depth of
the ocean, and the nature of the bottom, between
the Faroe Islands and Iceland, Iceland and Green-
land, and between Greenland and Hamilton Inlet
on the Labrador coast. Although his visit to the
Faroe Islands was not for the purpose of making any
examination of their shores, yet he could not fail to
observe that a submarine cable, in connection with
the main island, and a land wire across it, could be
maintained with great ease. Having referred to many
details as to the Faroes and the soundings between
them and Iceland, which he argued showed there
was a safe bed whereon to lay the cable, he stated
that the telegraphic wires could, with perfect ease
and safety, be taken on shore at Bern Fiord and be
carried over this island. He proposed that it should
be submerged again at Fluge Bay, and carried to
the south coast of Greenland. Between these
points the depths generally were very regular, the
greatest being 1,572 fathoms, and situated in mid-
channel ; but when within 40 miles of Green-
land the depth decreased from 806 fathoms to
228 fathoms, in the short distance of 31 geographi-
cal miles. The nature of the bottom was chiefly
oaze, that is, fine mud, partly consisting of minute
organic remains. He was unable to get within 45
miles of Greenland, owing to the ice, and proceeded
on his way to Hamilton's Inlet, Labrador. Their
line of soundings taken en route showed that the
greatest depth—which was in mid-channel—was
2,032 fathoms ; and the decrease was very gradual
until within about 80 miles of Labrador, where
there was a change from about 900 fathoms to 150
fathoms in seven or eight miles. The ocean bed
consisted of oaze, but with fewer microscopic
organisms than previously met with, whilst the
average temperature of the sea at 100 fathoms
below the surface was 40 degrees. He then pro-
ceeded at some length to describe the characteristics
of Hamilton's Inlet, at Labrador, which he was not
able to say were such as to render it suitable above
the Narrows for the reception of the termination
of the cable. Having completed his labours on
the coast of Labrador, he returned to Green-
land to do that which the ice had pre-
viously prevented him doing, having made a
variety of soundings, the result of which he
minutely detailed. He gave it as his opinion that
once in deep water, the North Atlantic cable
would probably be more secure and more durable
than any other; as it would lie at the bottom of a
sea where the temperature is unusually low, and
where animal life is proportionately rare. All that
was necessary was to secure a safe landing place at
Labrador, which could easily be done, and he was
further of opinion that with regard to the practica-
bility of laying a North Atlantic cable, there were
no grounds for serious misgivings ; on the contrary,
nearly all the information which had so far been
ascertained was of a kind favourable to the accom-
plishment of the undertaking. He concluded by ob-
serving that in order to meet the ever varying cir-
cumstances of climate and weather it was necessary
the utmost caution should be observed in all matters
connected with the laying down of the Greenland
lengths of the great cable; that the most suitable
steamers should be selected, and the highest
engineering and nautical skill be employed.
Mr. Rae then made a statement (his paper being
too long to read, it then being late in the evening)
as to the projected route over the Faroe Isles and
Iceland. He gave a very amusing account of his
journey through those islands. He described the
travelling on ponies as by no means difficult or
unpleasant, and the people he found on all occasions
hospitable, honest, industrious, and intelligent.
Meat was exceedingly cheap, lamb selling for
ltd. a pound. The only produce of Iceland,
however, was potatoes, turnips, cabbages, &c., but
no grain. The people seemed fully to understand
the advantages of having a telegraphic communica-
tion, and he believed it would be quite practicable,
from what he had seen, to carry the wires through
the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

Mr. S. W. Taylor, a resident of Greenland for
the past seven years, read a paper which described
minutely the most important fiords of Greenland.
The Chairman pointed out that they had now to
hear a few words on the practical part of the sub-
ject, for the details they heard would have little
interest, unless they in some way affected human
sympathy or human interest.
Colonel Shaffner thenread a paper on the electric
circuits as practically applied to commercia tele-
graphy. Having explained the apparatus, halt sated
that the respective circuits of the North Atlantic
Telegraph would be within the bounds of known
practicabilities' and they had no reason to expect
other than the fullest success and the attainment
of a calculated celerity. The distances the current
would have to travel were—from Scotland to the
Fames, 225 miles ; across the Faroe Islands, 27
miles; thence to Iceland, 250 miles; to Greenland,
800 miles; and to Labrador finally, 510 miles. By
means of a temporary telegraphic apparatus fixed
round the hall Col. Shaffner illustrated his obser-
vations.

The further consideration of the question was
;hen adjourned till the next meeting.

Sir Robert Peel, Bart., has become a subscriber of
£lOO to the funds of the Staffordshire Rifle Volunteer
Association, requesting that it may be regarded as four
years' subscription at £25, with a view to the Paulanence
of the association.