The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-18
THE TELEGRAPH EXCURSION TO NEWFOUNDLAND.


OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
HALIFAX, Nova SCOTIA, August 10, 1855.
l take advantage of our brief stay at Halifax to
send you an account of our progress thus far.
On Tuesday morning, at ten o'clock, we left pier
No. 4 North river, in the James Adger, with com.
psny of about sixty ladies and gentlemen on board
Among these are Messrs. Peter Cooper, Cyrus W
Field, and Professor Morse all Of whom AZ has been
already stated in the HERALD, are members Of the
New York. Newfoundland and London Transatlantic
Telegraph Company.
To hand down the names of the agreeable party
on board to posterity, annex a corrected list
Peter Cooper, Mrs. Cooper Professor 5. F. B. Morse,
Mrs. Morse Master A. b. Morse. Cyrus W. Field James
5 sluyter, Robert ". Lowber Mrs. r. W. Lowber Miss
Field MRS. FED H., "s Oracle 81 . s ssd N.Y. k
Alice Field, Miss Allen l.. He ndon Dr. Lewis Al
sayre, Mrs. Lewis A. sayre, lavid A. sayre, VIM. NJ
Sheppard Bayard Taylor Miss Lizzie Alger John Conqe
Rev. J. NJ Sherwood Mrs. Ann talnef, Mrs. Edward D.
Jones, Miss Mary sterns Marshall Brewer, +, N. Gis
burne Chas. 7. Middlebrook Join Mualy r. W. Strong
D. C. Hitchcock, 8 A. Richards B. =, Fly, H W. Barran
Geo H. Brown, A. A. Raven, +. o'Bren +. H Palmer,
j. =. Palmer, Chas j. Smith, Dr T. A. Bruyere, John G.
Kip Chas II. Houghton, J. W. kennedy Francis wnton
l. r Palmer Joseph Jones' Miss Cooper, Robert Russell
Hugh Allen Thos Evans, James Traax, John Steuben
fol, NJ Mclnneny, Lewis Meyer ?. q. Stettery.
The weather was all that could be desired, and
everything seemed to conspire in favor Of the enter
prise. Punctual TO the hour, the steamer swung
loose from her pier and as she moved out into the
river we were greeted with three hearty cheers by
friends on Shore which were repeated again and
again as we swept past. salute Of three guns was
fired from the bow Of our own vessel which was re-
sponded to by another from Of Spoford & Tiles
toms steamers, and the United States frigate Poto
mac hOnored far as the strict rules of the Navy
nv tha sfarc and afr IN hor
peak. We were soon under full Roadway down the
bay, and in few minutes our friends became ndis-
tnguishable in the frightening distance. The last
we saw Of them was through telescope, and there
they still stood at the end of the pier waving their
adieus Gradually lost sight of the larger public
buildings, and even the city itself began to disap.
pear below the horizon. And now we have left
Staten Island behind US, and sweeping past Neva-
sink are out on the open sea. Long Island, how
ever is still in sight on our larboard, and remains so
for what appears to be an interminable length Of
time. We want to feel that we are out of sight of
land if it is only for the pleasure Of saying
return; but Long Island continues visible with the
most provoking persstency. It is o'clock-fve
hours since we left New York-the dinner bell rings,
and we descend below, fattering ourselves with the
hope that we have seen the last of it, but the first
thing we see upon coming on deck is Long Island,
stretching away far ahead Of far as the eye can
reach. It would now seem to be running race with
steamer and if it holds out much longer promises
to be in Halifax before us. The bell rings again,
and in due course of time supper is despatched but
Long Island like faithful friend or rather like an
obnoxious associate, is there still when we come on
deck. As the shades Of evening gather around our
vessel, it becomes shadowy and indistnct, but its
low line Of coast can still be traced in the darkness
on the utmost verge Of the horizon. I can now
conceive the reason why it obtained its present
name, and have some idea Of the impotence with
which its discoveries looked for its terminus.
Our first night at sea was marked by grand pyro-
technic display that illuminated the whole heavens,
and converted the liquid element through which we
pl0ughed our way into an ocean Of fire. 1t appear
ed If the powers Of the air lad determined to sig
nalize our mission; they did so in peculiarly APP
propriate manner. The scene was one of those
which could never be forgotten. During the day an
electric machine was brought upon the upper deck,
and it was still there when evening set in Beside
it sat Professor Morse, its inventor, who had been
explaining the principle of its construction to the
company but few hours before. Here and there
were little groups-s0me on the bow, some on
the wheelhouse, and others scattered about
the deck, enjoying themselves in pleasant
social intercourse. The sweet music of w0man's
voice, singing some favorite melody or air from an
opera, gave new attraction to the scene. At first
the lightning flashed in broad sheets along the hor
zon, then rapidly extending towards the zenith, it
illuminated the whole heavens. At intervals, huge
fiery serpents darted from their place Of conceal
ment in the dense black clouds that hung lowering
over our heads then all was darkness above and be-
meath. This display lasted about two hours, when
the rain which fell In torrents drove reluctantly
into the cabin. Here we had amateur concert
which, in point Of vocal talent, have seldom seen
excelled by any public concert in New York. In
this way we passed our first night at sea-a night
which will be remembered hereafter among our most
pleasant "reminiscences.
The remainder of our voyage was not marked by
any incident Of particular note, except that on
third night out we were overtaken by fog, and
while in II were in imminent danger of a collision
with some vessel. Our captain, however was on the
look out and after few reverse strokes Of the en-
CINE, we succeeded in passing her in safety. after
wards ascertaned that it this latitude that
the Arctic was lost.
We shall not remain more than q few hours in
Halifaxjust long enough to engage the services Of
pilot who is acquainted with the coast Of New
foundland, when we will start for Port Basque
where the Sarah Bryant Is lying with the cable on
board ready to be towed across the Gulf Of St. Law
renee.
send you, in the form Of little story few facts
which obtained on board in relation to the nven-
tion Of the telegraph, some Of which believe have
never appeared in print; and with this must close
my first letter.
THE STORY OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
The name Of the ship Sally will always be rcnem-
bered intimately associated with the invention Of
the electric telegraph. In the year 1882, during
the passage Of that vessel from Havre to New York.
company Of American gentlemen were assembled
on her deck, conversing upon various scientific sub
ects. Among them was Professor Morse, who was
then pursuing the profession Of an artist. and who
was comparatively unknown, except to large
circle Of friends to whom he had endeared himself
hv h;a fr.nL Oeneroua nature and hil simp nile unaf