American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-09-11
ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICAS MAILS.
EXPLANATION OF THE CAUSE
OF THE BREAKING OF THE
ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.

ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.
Our files by the America at Boston
contain some matters of interest which
we append:
BREAKING OF THE TELEGRApEjcABLn.
Ihe following is the first dispatch
announcing the loss of the telegraph
cable: .r....
-VALENTrA, ,Wednesday.-An acct
dent OF some description has occurred
to the Atlantic cable. Up to o'clock
in the morning Of yesterday, (Tuesday,)
constant signals and messages had been
received, in one of which, received
some twenty hours previously, it was
stated that the vessel had arrived in
two mile depth. At 4 A. NJ, Irish
timc,) the electric signals SUDDENLY cea-
sed. On testing her insulation, there
was found to be total loss; and from
the indications ofresistancc, coils would
seem to have occurred at distance of
from $50 to 400 miles from Valentia.
NALENTIA, Aug. 13.--Hcr Males
tvs steamship Cyclops has returned.
The Atlantic cable has been injured,
and a length about 800 miles is lost for
the present. A considerable portion
of this, however, may yet be recover
ed. .. f..' =. .
The following dispatch, taken from
the London Times of the 18th, gives a
brief account of the breaking of the
cable:
PLYMoUTH, Aug. 14.-3svcning.-
The United States steam frigate Mag
ara, Captain Hudson, from the Allan
tic, followed by the Susquehanna, Cap
tain Sands, and Her Majcsty's screw
steamship Agamemnon. Master Com.
mandcr Noddall, entered the Sound this
afternoon on their return from their
unsuccessful effort to lay the telegraph
cable. On board the Niagara they
report that at the time of the sever
ancc, quarter to fonr o clock On Tues
day Morning, 3e5 nautical or bout $50
statute miles had been laid, at dis
lance of 260 to $50 miles in a direct
course from Valentia. The wind was
southcrly, there was some sea, and the
ship was going from three to four knots,
and the cable paying out five to sis,
and sometimes seven knots.
AS the quantity Of slack thus OK
pended was greater than expected at
starting, and more that could be affor-
ded, the retard strain was therefore in
creased to pressure Of 5000 pounds,
and the cable broke.
The extra expenditure of slack com.
menced on Monday evening, when a
strong breeze and heavy swell prevail
ed, and powerful undercurrent was
experienced. This current forced the
wire from the ship at considerable
angle.
When the brerk was applied with
increased power the stern of the Mag
ara was down in the trough of the sea,
and the extra strain created by her ris-
ing was the immediate cause of the ca
ble's parting.
The Susquehanna was mile f'thc
Niagara's starboard beam; the Aga
mcmnon, the Cyclops and the Leopard
were within hailing distance.
Soundings were found by the Cy-
clops at 900 fathoms. Alright they
kept a course L. S. E., under easy
steam; on Wednesday morning at ten
o'clock bore up for Plymouth Sound.
The general opinion is that the season
is too far advanced for another effort
now, but every confidence is expressed
in the ultimate success of the underta-
king. The machinery now aboard the
Niagara is considered too heavy for the
purpose. 1t is stated that the wheels
ceased to rcyolvo when the pressure
was applied on Tuesday morning.