Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1856-09-27
Transatlantic Teleyraph-Capt. Berry,
man and the Arctic

| Transatlantic TeleYraph-Capt. Berry,
man and the Arctic
Lying at anchor off Queenstown for the
last few days may have been observed a
small, unsightly. illpainted, rusty. bottomed
screw-steamer, without one point of attrac-
ton about her, except the stars and stripes
f1uttering in the breeze. Yet that boat
and some of the officers she contains have
been the worlds wonder for season, and
have just now concluded task which is
the forerunner Of an event more wonder
| full still.
| The Arctic was the vessel sent to res.
cue DR.. Kane, who had previously been
sent to rescue franklin. She was sue.
cessful, and brought home DR.. Kane and his
crew who had been obliged to abandon his
ship and search. She was then light.
ship on the american coast. She is now
the bearer of Lieut.. Strain, of Darien no.
toriety. and Capt. Bergman, who has be-
fore and now again crossed from New
foundland to take soundings Of the whole
Atlantic, from st. John to Valencia, with
the view to ascertain the probable success
with which telegraphic cable may be
laid between these points. The result is
most satisfactory.
For some so or 60 miles from St. John
and again on this side, is bank varying
from IS to 100 iathoms. Between these
is plateau nearly level, the bottom soft
composed Of shells SO fine that only the
microscope can discover them, each shell
perfect in its minute beauty, proving the
absence ofcurrents at the bottom, and with
due Difference to Stephenson and others,
the want of that vast pressure which was
TO be SO dreaded, and exhibiting at every
point not only capacity, but the most per.
feet capacity for the very use for which it
is required. The whole apparatus for arri-
wing at these facts is most perfect. Steam
power, separate from that of the ship,
works the axle from which the sounding
line is "paid OUT
Soundings have been taken to the depth
Of q, 900 fathoms. By neat contrivance
each sounding shows not only the depth
but the nature Of the bottom, which is
brought up in five quilts, and the tekpera.
ture Of the water, the latter being given
by the expansion or contraction of metal
lie spiral ribbons placed aound q center
pin, fixed at the top, and attached at bttom
to needle and indicator, the latter re.
naming fixed after the other has ceased
to act showing the exact variation between
the surface and The bottom. Careful draw
ings have been made Mr.. Van Den Berg
Ito whom has been assigned the special
post Of draughtsman,) of the soundings.
showing profile Of the bottom OF the sea
with the greatest accuracy.
There can be no doubt that telegraphic
communication between Ireland and St.
John. distance Of $40 geographical miles
may be regarded as certainty. 1t is in
the hands Of small American company,
hut though small, if its members possess
but 1.-THE Of the energy of their represen-
tative, Mr.. Cyrus w. Field, who is also
here making every inquiry, it will be en-
ough to overcome every difficulty. Capt.
Bergman laughs at laying the cable. He
asks but ship large enough and he will
undertake to do it at 10 miles an hour right
across. The company have already OBJ
tanned the sole grant for erecting telegraphs
throughout the whole Of Newfoundland,
and have already some TOO miles At work
or will have in few days, which is in
connection with the American lines.
The difficulties and trials Of temper in
taking these soundings have been tremend-
GUS. Repeatedly after paying OUT tens
Of thousands Of fathoms Of line, and getting
all up within some sixty or eighty, it was
snapped and all had to be done again.
Six and eight hours have been occupied in
getting one sounding only, and these have
been made nearly every half degree the
whole way across. From the Captain to
the cabin boy, each has given bis willing
aid. No trouble was thought too much
no time too long; each appeared to feel
the honor of his nation at stake and proud
in every way to advance the object in view.
They have done their work well. Nature
has granted all we could ask !; art will
soon do its part while nature, science and
Art worked out by mans haad, will pro.
duce one grand whole to benefit mankind.
~ - ssyaE esq <ss gag lCork Rqatsr.
Opp FELIows.-The Grand Lodge Of
the United States assembled at Baltimore
yesterday, and presented ! tull representa-
ton. The Grand Sire. William Ellison.
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