Washington sentinel., 1854-03-08
OFFICIAL.
NATIONAL OBSERVATORY,
WAsurNnroN Elb % |

OF the sea. Her operations were confined prin-
cipally to that part of the ocean which the mer-
chantmen, as they pass to and fro upon the
business of trade between Europe and the
United States, use as their great thoroughfare.
Lieutenant Bergman availed himself Of this
opportunity to carry along also line Of deep
sea soundings from the shores of Newfoundland
to those of Ireland.
The result is highly interesting, as it bears
directly upon the question of submarine
telegraph across the Atlantic; and | there
fore beg leave to make it the subject of spe-
cial report.
This line of deep sea soundings, seems to be
decisive OF the question as to the practicability
of a submarine telegraph between the two con-
tinents, SO far at least as the bottom of the
sea is concerned.
From Newfoundland to Ireland, the distance
between the nearest points is* l,600 miles !;
and the bottom Of the sea between the two
places is a plateau, which seems to have been
placed there especially for the purpose of hold.
ing the wires of a submarine telegraph, and of
keeping them out of harms way. 1t is neither
too deep nor too shallow; yet it is so deep that
the wires being once landed, will remain for
ever beyond the reach of vessels anchors ice
bergs, and drift of any kind; and so shallow
that the wire may be readily lodged upon the
| bottom.
The depth of this plateau is quite regular,
gradually increasing from the shores Of New
foundland from the depth of from $500 to
1000 fathoms as you approach the other side.
| The distance between Ireland and Cape
Charles, or Cape ST. Lewis in Labrador, straits
of Belle Isle,) is somewhat less than the dis
tance from any part of Ireland to the nearest
point of Newfoundland
But whether it will be better to lead the
| wires from Newfoundland or Labrador is not
| now the question, nor do pretend to consider
the question as to the possibility of finding a
| time calm enough, the sea smooth enough, and
| ship big enough to convey and lay coil Of
| wires 1900 miles in length, though / have no
fears but that the enterprise and ingenuity of
| the age when called on with these problems
will be ready with a satisfactory and practical
BILE solution Of them.
| simply address myself at this time to the
| question in so far as the bottom of the sea is
concerned, and as for that, the greatest pract
| cal difficulty, will | apprehend be found after
| reaching soundings on either side Of the ocean
and not in the deep sea.
| l submit herewith a chart showing the depth
Of the Atlantic according to the deep sea sound
ings made from time to time on board of yes
sells of the Navy by authority of the depart
ment, and according to instructions issued by
the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hy-
biography. This chart is plate XIV of the
sixth edition of Maury's Sailing Directions by
an examination of it. it will be perceived that
we have acquired through simple means
pretty good idea as to the depression below the
sea level of that portion of the solid crust of
our planet which underlies the Atlantic ocean,
and constitutes the basin that holds its waters.
A wire laid across from either Of the above
named places, on this side, would pass to the
north of the Grand Banks and rest on that
beautiful plateau to which have alluded, and
where the waters of the sea appear as quiet and
as completely at rest as they are on the bottom
of millpond
1t is proper that the reason shold be stated,
for the inference that there are no perceptible
currents, and no abrading agents at work at the
bottom of the sea upon this telegfaphic plateau.
derive this inference from the study Of ply
sical fact, of which / little dreamed when /
sought it, had any such bearings.
1t is unnecessary to speak on this occasion
of the exceeding rich gems which physical facts,
even apparently the most triaing, are often
found to contain.
Lieut.. Bergman brought up with Brooke's
deep-sea sounding apparatus specimens of the
bottom from this plateau.
=
Point, for examination under his microscope.
This he kindly gave them, and that eminent
microscopic was quite as much surprised to
find, as was to learn, that all these specimens
Of deep sea soundings were filled with micro
scopic shells, Tin the words of Professor Bailey
"not a particle Of sand or gravel exists in
them"
These little shells therefore suggest the fact
that there are no currents at the bottom of the
sea whence they came; that Brooke's lead
found them where they were deposited in their
burial place, after having lived and died on the
surface, and by gradually sinking, had lodged
on the bottom.
Had there been currents at the bottom, these
would have swept, abraded, and mingled up
with these microscopic remains, the debris ofthe
bottom of the sea; such as ooze, sand, gravel,
and other matter. But not particle Of sand
or gravel was found among them; hence the
inference that these depths of the sea, there, are
not disturbed either by winds or currents.
Consequently telegraphic wire once lodged
there, there 1t would remain as completely be-
yond the reach of the accidents of drift as it
would if buried in tight cases.
Therefore so far as the bottom of the deep
sea between Newfoundland or the cape on the
north side of the straits Of Belle Isle, Ireland,
is concerned, the practicability of submarine
telegraph across the Atlantic is proved.
The present state of Europe invests the sub
ject Of line of telegraphic wires across e
Atlantic with high degree of interest at this
moment to the government and people of the
United States.
general European war seems now almost
inevitable; the attitude which this country will
assume with regard toall the belligerent powers
that may be involved in that war, is strict
and impartial neutrality.
The better to enable this government to
maintain that position, and the people Of the
United States properly to avail themselves of
all the advantages of such position, a line of
electro telegraphic communication with Europe
would be ofincalculabe service. 3.
In this view of the subject, and for the pur-
pose of fastening the completion of such
line, | take the liberty of suggesting for your
consideration, the propriety Of an offer from the
proper source, of national prize to the COM
Al L.