The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-04-22

The Maguetic Telegraph Company be-
tween New York and Washington, having
connections rssching to New 0rleans, has
just laid two English triple wire cables across
the Susquehanns, opposite Havrs de Grace,
forthe purpose Of securing permanent and
uninterrupted connection Of the wires Of that
point. The cables were laid in about an
hour and half, and eight thousand feet OF
cable were used for the purpose. The meth
cd of lay ing submarine cables across rivers
is nearly The same as laying them across
seas, though, in the latter case, the risk and
difficulties are much greater. Mr. Butt, who
laid the telegraph cable across the Bsiiieh
channel and between Sardinia and Africa,
recsutly read a paper before the British Roy
al Institute. giving his exPesisnoe in suoh
undertakings. In laying the cable from Pied.
mont to the Island of Corsica, a large steam
er was used with the cable in the hold. Sud.
denly the cable commenced running out
with an impeiuosity that endangered the lives
OF the workmen. Two miles of wire were
run out before this was checked. When at
length checked, It was found that the insula-
lion of the line had been impaired, and the
injured portion had 10 be recovered from the
sea and cut out--a difficult and laborious op-
Grafton. The cause of the accident was the
great weight of the length of cable in sus-
pension whe n passing over deep hole in
The bottom of the sea. In another attempt
10 lay cable from Sardinia 10 Africa The
vessel became unmanageable, lost her course,
and there was not sufficient cable to reach
the land. The cable was severed when
about twenly.six miles had been paid out,
and the remainder saved for another trial.
On the second trial, when about sixty miles
had beer paid out, another sudden and a'arm-
ing run of the cable occurred. The insula-
tion of the cable was again impaired, and as
the injured part could not be recovered from
the sea, it was decided 10 sever the cable
and return 10 Sardinia, 10 recover it from the
other end. Two more attempts were made
to, complete the laying of the cable, but in
one case The vessel was driven out of her
course, and in the other the cable was sever
ed by violent plunge Of the vessel in a
storm. The enterprise yet remains unac-
oomplished. 1t is said that depths of nearly
two miles were encountered.
But even after the cable is laid, there is
risk of accident impairing its usefulness.-
The London Artisan, of February, describes
an accident which -eee...ed- =. Ale Dey el
submarine cable, by which communication
with the Continent was temporarily cut off.
A ship of 100 tons, driven by gale of wind
dragged her anchor, and came npon the Os-
lend Telegraph cable, which, after holding
the ship some time, gave way. The ship
was driven forward with violence, but sud.
denly was brought up head TO wind BY the
Calais cable, which held her for about an
hour, when the second cable gave way, and
both lines were afterwards found unworka.
BILE. The experiment of laying cable
across the Atlantic, which is now about to
be tried, is the greatest undertaking of the
kind ever attempted, and will be attended
with corresponding difficulties and DANGER
The first experiments may not succeed, bu
eventually there is but little doubt that the
genius and perseverance Of man will ac'
complish the task.--Ledger.