The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-20

his own, which he contends will realize the
great object sought to be accomplished, As
this is topic Of great public interest at the
present time, an explanation of Mr.. Halls
views and plans, as published in the San.
tife American, will perhaps ba acceptable to
our readers. .
Mr.. Halls reasons for predicting tho fail
ure Of the plan now in process, IRE, first.
That there has never yet Ito his knowlodge)
been transmitted ,mmunication through
a continuous wire 245O miles in length but
even If such an experiment has been success
fully made on land, II could not be accom-
plished with submerged wire. A coil Of
wire, ever 30 well insulated, If immersed in
water. will not effect on electromagnetic with
the same power as if tested out Of water
The proximity Of this element produces q
sensible effect upon the electric current, and
would, in the length of cable proposed, en-
tirely absorb the subtle fluid, especially all
that could be forced through 80 malls wire
as the one contemplated. But even admit
ing Communication possible, it Is known
to electricians that in submerged wires q
pcrccptible period Of time elapscs in tho pas.
sagc Of the current, and that this period in
crcases with the length OF cable, and that it
requires some seconds Of time before the wire
is unchanged after each signal. In the
length Of the cable proposed, 1t would re.
quire over six seconds for each signal, max.
ing less than halfa newspaper column for
twenty.four hours work.
The reason why the signals are 30 much
retarded is thus explained:
The reason why electric signals arc so
much retarded in wires encased in gutta
percha, and laid under water, is owing to
lateral induction. The insulated wire as.
sumes the character ola vast Leyden jar,
the copper wire representing the inner coat
ing, and the water outside OF tho gutta per-
cha, the outer coating. This lateral Undue
fion of the electric fluid in the cable, not
only rctards the current passing through It.,
but when one electric wave is sent through
tho wire. another wavo or signal cannot be
sent until the reflex, or return wavo has es-
capped and the time required for this is
twice as long as for the direct wave."
The second reason assigned for failure
is the improbability of securinga perfect
insulation with 80 thin coating of gutta
percha for so many hundred miles Of wire,
when the slightest particle of damp, even
the prick of pin through its covering,
would destroy the whole work. The third
and final objection is that it will be almost
impossible to lay SO long cord without m
accident, from ships surging, when slight
strain would damage the central wire or its
covering.
The plan which Mr.. Hall submits for
public approval, as the only practicable
scheme, is one in which tho leading feature
is to shorten the telegnphic circuit, by con-
structing floating telegraph stations, to DO
permanently anchored at suitable distances
apart, directly in the line Of vessels running
between New York and Liverpool. These
stations would DO constructed in peculiar
and substantial manner, with but q single
story above the water, and to be secured to
the bottom of the ocean by wire cables, M
dating in every direction, and secured by
heavy anchors. He says:
"a floating station of this kind every FIVE
hundred miles, with suitable force and ma
terial. would make the electric circuits 30
short as to render them perfectly reliable,
besides answering purposes of infinite impor.
lance to the shipping interests OF the two
great countries they connect. When locat-
cd they would have their fixed places on
ocean charts, and should any accident befal
ship in mid ocean, 1t would, of course,
make for tho nearest station, when aid
could DO instantly telegnphed and sent from
the nearest port. Besides answering the
purpose Of lighthouses and ocean marks to
the commerce of the world, they could re-
port the progress of vessels plying between
the two ports, to the great interest and sat
isfaction of friends, whereas now, tho fate
OF thousands oil lives ana millions OF proper.
s W - n.a =, ;" "''A' "'' "''''"' " ~
NJ Hal, ,,o,,.os thu, Zach .ob,s sbould
,on,.;, n, ioo., c,rr .o,or.,. conduc,inv
wires, not only to provide against the
Sn, 80 o,low = number If onora,ors n trims.
-. ,..-,..s -, ,La .,.,. ,;m. ~ ,ho
800, 81 Su.;no.. w;,, ~ dorh, ,souiro =.
=" ,,,,,."-.,D, -... ) III
-. '''0 80, r. - -. 4.
10 " " o"' , a, 10, a.,
~ "en an s,s -. y. ,..,.L,
ou'' wiz 70 "'v"'u -" ""o.0' - $50
10 prevent 'ic o"''0 ifo~ swinging 'i0"
d'rec. i'"e, Inc most Important o?le.. 0Iu
'emp'a.ed ny the ou'ys, no"evof' !" '.'
c''.'y 'ney woa'c auo'a ~ n"u'"s a"u ~.
pairing q defect ih the cao'c' Us '"o '''''o