The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-10-02
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.

OCEANIC IELEGRAPH-Th great problem OF piac-
ing the OLD world and the new in a telegraphic con-
nection is soon to be tested. 1t las been shown by
Lieut.. Maury that between newfoundland and the
coast of Ireland there is, for a considerable portion Of
the distance, a comparative elevation OF the pottom'
which he denominates the Geographic plateau. Along
this it is proposed to carry the wires of the subma-
rine telegraph the distance between these two
points is a little over 900 geographical points.
In the view Of Lieutenant Maury, there Is no
reason why this great work cannot be completed
in one year from the present time. Inc wire
can be made during the approaching winter, SO
as to be ia readiness for the laying down next spring.
It was upon the plateau above noticed that the
Brooke's celebrated sounding apparatus brought up
its first trophies from the bottom of the sea. These
specimens Lieut.. Bergman and his officers Judged to
be clay, but upon being submitted to microscopic ex-
animation. thew were found to consist Of celcereous
shells, unmixed with sand or any foreign substance
1t was deemed probable that the occupant lived near
the surface of the water, but that the shells settled
to the bottom after death. According to Lieut. Maui
ry, the inference is that in the place of their deposit,
if anywhere, the waters are at rest. "There was
not motion enough there to abrade these very deli
cate organisms, nor current enough to sweep them
about and mix up with them a grain or the hnest
sand, nor the smallest particle of gravel torn from
the loose beds of the debris that here and there strew
the bottom of the sea. This plateau is not too deep
for the wire to sink down and rest upon, yet it is not
so shallow that currents or icebergs or any AFRAID
ing force can derange the wire after it is once lodged
Icebergs have been known TO ground at a depth of
700 feet. The month of June is the most favorable
part OF the year Tor laying the submarine wire.
Though fogs are most frequent at that time, gales
seldom occur to roughen the sen.
The general government, while promoting sc;entif-
&c research, has wisely determined to afford encour-
agement to private enterprise, in the practical appli-
cation of scientific principles, by employing the Unit
ed States propeller Arctic, iii taking soundings on
the Geographic plateau, preparatory to laying the
cable. Several of the officers of the Arctic are pecu-
liarly qualified for the service. Beside Lieut.. Strain,
she viii take out Mr.. Brooke, q. S. n, the inventor
of the sounding instrument bearing his name, by
which specimens Of the bottom are furnished also,
Midshipman Mitchell, who was with Capt. Berry
man of the United States surveying brig Dolphin,
and became remarkably expert in obtaining deep
sOundlngs. From the experience then had, 1t IS ex-
pected that the average depth of water on the pla-
teau will be from 1000 to $500 feet.
The Arctic viii first steer North for Newfoundland,
taking out provisions for ninety days, and a mode
rate supply of coal, expecting to replenish the latter
at newfoundland, as. may be found necessary. The
instruments furnished are the most important part
of her equipment. First, is BroOke's instrument,
consisting of an iron spindle about three and a half
feet in length, the lower extremity of which is a tu-
bular, filled with the open barrels of quilts. This
spindle passes through a perforated 60 pound shot
or a pear shaped leaden weigh 600 to $50 pounds)
two feet in length, suspended by brass wire. The
spindle projects below the weight, so that when the
latter touches bottom, the wire unhooks by q very
simple, yet ingenious Continuance, leaving the weight
detached. Above the weight is secured 'Massey's
attached, - for determining depth-a vertical propeller
turned by the downward motion of the lead. and
which indicates the depth on a graduated dial, by
showing the number of revolutions made by the pro-
peller. A.clam is raised while the lead is descending,
and falls when the motion ceases, stopping the pro-
peller, so that no false indications can be given by
the lateral current. Thus three elements may be
employed to form the basis of a calculation of depth ;
the length Of time required for a weight to descend
the position of the indicator, and the measured length
of the line. From the lower end of the spindle, spe-
cimens are found, adhering to the tallow lining Of
the quilts. The sounding line is being made at the
government ropewalk in Boston, which is the largest
in the country, and will comprise 10000 fathOms.
a steam reel, with which to use the line is making
in n. Y. 1t viii be run by a small engine placed on
deck. 1t is supposed that a depth of 5000 flthoms,
or nearly five miles, may be measured without break
ing the line, as no part of the sounding apparatus is
returned, but the spindle. Beside thermometers for
determining the temperature of the ocean at various
depths, are other Instruments designed to elucidate
the physical geography Of the ocean.
The description of wire to be used is not fully de-
cided upon, though there is no doubt but that the
one adopted will be smaller, lighter, and more plia-
BILE than the one lost a few months ago off the coast
of Newfoundland. Still another wire, of much the
same character was lost while attempting to connect
Corsica with the North coast of Africa. Such an one
as is required can be manufactured at the rate of
eighteen miles a day. A light flexible wire laid in
the Black Sea, between Varna and and Balaklava,
was laid without difficulty, the steamer employed
going FIVE miles per hour without once stopping.
Should the survey ON which the Arctic is now en-
ployed terminate as f~avorably as anticipated, it is
probable the wire will be laid at the earliest practi-
cal uay. ffonIlnS Dy the experience OF the past, 1t
is determined to employ two steamers in laying the
wire. They will proceed from England, having on
board equal portions of the line. Uniting these, each
will proceed direct to the opposite shores, passing out
the cable as she sails, thus avoiding the fatal diff
Guilty before encountered, when it was attempted to
tow the vessel having the cable on board, and, a gale
arising, both became unmanageable. Furthermore,
the time required to lay the line is reduced one half
by the process now proposed, so that six days is
considered a liberal allowance for the execution of
the work. 1t is thought the wire will offer little
i~mpediment TO the progress of the steamers. A curl
Gus circumstance will be the manner of maintaining
Geographic communication between the two vessels
while this work is going on, it being in view to con-
meet the extremities of the wire on each ship with
galvanic batteries, so that the electric current will
pass through the huge pile on each vessel, as well as
through all such portions as may be submerged, con-
veying intelligence instantaneously and uninterrup-
tedly, uninfueneed by apparent obstacles or confu-
sion. The progress of each vessel can thus be regu-
lated with reterensa to their relative position, or
other incidental circumstances. Success is regarded
as rtain.-Ecch Paper.
TrxnUr- ~ H.c- Tao- T@----