The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-08

NAIIokAL OBSERVATORY,
washington Eshruary %. 1884

Commanding o. Ii. Bergman, was employed last sum
upon special service connected with the researches
that carried at this ehce concerning the winds and
currents OF the sea.
| Her observations confined principally 10 thai
part OF the which The merchantmen they pass 10
and fro upon the business of trade between Europe and
the United States, their great thoroughfare.
Lieutenant Bergman awaited himself of this opportu
nifty to carry along also line OF deepsea soundDgs from
the shores OF Newfoundland to those OF Ireland
The result is highly interesting as II bears directly,
in so far as the bottom of the sea concerned upon the
question Of submarine telegraph across the Atlantic.
and therefore beg leave TO make it the subject Of spe-
cial report
This line of deepsea soundngs 10 be decisive OF
the question as to the praccability Of submarine lele
graph between the two continents far the bottom Of
the deep is concerned.
From Newfoundland TO Ireland the distance between
the nearest points is about 600 miles and the bottom
of the sea between the two places is plateau, which
seems TO have been placed there especially for the pur
pose Of holding the wires Of submarine Telegraph and
Of keeping them out OF harms way 1t is neither too
deep shallow yet it is deep that the wires,
but landed, will remain forever beyond the reach OF
vessels anchors icebergs, and drifts Of any kind and
shallow that the wires may be readily lodged upon the
bottom
The depth of this plateau is quite regular gradually in.
creasng from the shores OF Newfoundland to the depth
Of from 1900 to 1000 fahoms you approach the other
side
The distance between Ireland and Cape ST. Charles or
Cape ST. Lewis, in Labrador, is somewhat less than the
distance from any point Of Ireland to the point of
Newfoundland
But whether it would be better to lead the wires from
Newfoundland Labrador is not the question; nor
do pretend to consider the question TO the possibility
Of finding time calm enough, the smooth enough,
wire long enough ship big enough, to lay coil of
wire 1900 miles in lengih though have no fear but
that the enterprise and ingenuity of the age whenever
called on with these problems, will be ready with
satisfactory and practical solution OF them
simply address myself at this time to The question in
far the bottom Of the is concerned and far
that the greatest practical difficulties will, apprehend
be found after reaching soundngs at either end OF the
line, and not in the deep sea.
submit herewith chart showing the depth of the At
lantc according the deep-sea soundings made from
time to time board of vessels of the navy by author
issued by the chief Of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hy
biography. This chart is plate XIV of the sixth ed-
ton Of Maurys Sailing Directions
By an examination OF it, it will be perceived that we
have acquired by these simple pretty good idea
as to the depression below the sea-evel Of that por-
ton of the solid crust Of planet which underes the
Atlantic and constitutes the basin that holds its
waters
wire laid across from either of the above aamed
places this side, will pass TO the north OF the Grand
Banks and rest that beautiful plateau to which have
alluded and where The waters OF the appear TO be
quiet and completely at rest il at the bottom of
mill pond.
ference that there perceptble currents, and no
abradng agents work at the bottom of the sea upon
this teeg raphic plateau.
derive this inference from study OF physical fact
which little deemed when sought il, had any such
bearings
-
which physical facts, apparently the most trihng,
are often found to contain.
Lieut. Bergman brought up with Brooks deep-sea
sounding apparatus specimens Of the bottom from this
plateau.
sent them 10 Prof Bailey, of West Point, for exam
naiion under his microscope. This he kindly gave,
and that eminent microscopic was quite much sur
psed nd to learn, that all these specimens
of deep soundngs filed with microscopic shells
to his words nOt particle Of sand gravel
isis IN them"
These little Shells therefore, suggest the fact that there
are no currents at the bottom of the whence they
came--that Brooks lead found them where they were
deposited in their burial place after having lived and
died the surface. and by gradually sinking lodged
on the bottom
| Had there been currents at the bottom these would
have swept and abraded and mingled up with these mi
croscopc remains the debris OF the bottom Of the sea
such oaze sand, gravel and other matter but no,
particle of sand gravel was found among them. Hence
the inference that these depths OF the sea are no, dis
turbed either by currents.
Consequently, Geographic wire once laid there there
would remain, completely beyond the reach of acct
den, would be il buried in air. tight cases There
fore. far the bottom of the deep between New.
foundland, the North Cape, the mouth of the ST
Lawrence and Ireland, is concerned, the pracicaby
OF submarine telegraph across the Atlantic is proved
| The present state Of Europe invests the subject of
line OF ielegraphc wires the Atlantic with high
degree OF interest TO the government and people of the
United States. general European war seems now al
most inevilable the attitude which this government will
assume with regard TO all the begerent powers tina,
may be involved in that is that OF strict, impartial
neutrality.
| The better to enable this government TO maintain that
position, and The people OF the United States TO avail
themselves of all the advantages of such position, a
line OF daily elegraphic communication with Europe
would be Of incalculabe service
In this view of the subject and for the purpose OF has
tening the completion OF such line, the liberty OF
suggesting for your consideration the proprety of
offer from the proper OF prize TO the company
through whose elegfaphic wire the first message shall
be passed across the Atlantic.
| | have the honor 10 be, respectfully. &C..
| M. f. MAURY,
| Lieut. U. S. Navy
| Hon. J. c. Dopnrs,
| Secretary of the Navy,