Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-08-27
The Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph.


The following from the london Daily NeEs
gives some information with regard to the pre-
| cautions which are now being taken on both
the AgameHoa and Niagara, in laying the
great telegraph cable -
The outer coating of the greater part of the
cable consists of coil of eighteen strands of
even-thrcad iron wire, rs protection to the
eutta nercha core containing the telegraph
wires. from friction or other injury until it has
been safely deposited on the bed Of the deep
Atlar tic But those portions of the cable
which will have TO be onted when the vessels
part company may possibly be subjected to an
extra strain as the first unbroken link of it
sinks between the sterns of the two vessels to
find its ultimate resting place and TO meet
this possible contingency, ten miles length of
this central portion Of the cable has been pro-
tected with u sheath Of lS (iustead of from
wires, and is supposed to be capable of sus-
tanning a strain of twelve tuns. The machin-
cry made hy Messrs. De Bergue Co. includes
paving ont sheayes or drums of five feet in di-
ametcr, having grooves corresponding to the
thickness of the cable, with friction drum at
tacbed to them revolving three times as fast
as they do and with breakage power to check
or retard the motion of the sheaveS at pleas
ure. From the hold of each, the cable, pass
inc over four of these sheaves to few feet
above the poop deck, will be dropped into the
sea over a fifth sheave, placed above the stern.
The exact amount of strain will be constantly
indicated by an instrument for the purpose
under the eve of the breaksman. At the sides
of the vessel will hang down into the water
new electrical logs, principally due to ingenui-
tv of Mr. Charles Bright. the Atlantic Com
ny's chief engineer These immersed logs
have yanes and wheels revolving at q rate pro-
pOrtioned to the passage of the ship through the
water, and making all electric circuit which is
broken at each revolution. An electric wire,
from the log to the deck, records there every
revolution of the log, and consequently the
| exact speed of the ship. 1t must not be sup
| posed when the ships part company that CON-
municatioa will he lost between those on board
! the vessels The electricians have hold Of
either extremity Of the coils Of the cable, and
will interchange signals constantly, so that each
vessel will be aware of the others fate, ana of
every incident that may help or retard the
| progress Of submersion, unless some unfortu-
nate emergency should snap the link When
the topmasts Of the ships have sunk beneath
! The horizon, aud they are lost to view by the
! look out men, the inter-oceanic current of elec-
trcity will give Instant record of all that pass
| rs, ultll the lenghtenlng line OF the cable has
/ cen spun out from shore to shore. A bell Oh
| board each vessel will sound every second, as
each portion Of the cable is paid out ; and its
silence will probably be the first indication of
any mishap arising from friction or oEer-tension
of the cable The vessels will have apparatus
Oh hoard, so that in any such emergencies they
can be backed, the cable recoiled until the
| faulty place is found, when piece will be cut
ont and the perfect portions reunited with as
little delay as possible. In case of storm
apparatus has been provided to allow for any
extraordinary strain that may occur, and, If
nace s.ry, for cutting the cable without letting
the outer end of it slip to the bottom of the
ocean, wheEce it might never be recovered.
In such an emergency there are Jorge reels of
auXii ~ cable Of great strength, which could
be at ache ! to the end and these auxiliary
cables can be suspended from huge foat-shaped
buoys on the surface Of the water, capable c.
resisting very considerable strain till al aar-
ger has passed.