Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-06-26

knowing the interested motives with which
the writer's of several Of these communica-
tions have put forth their peculiar views,
deem 1T unnecessary to enter into any special
controversy with them on the subject. 1t
may be well believed that the Directors
have not decided upon matter so all-im-
portant to success, without availing them
selves of the most eminent talent and expert
cnce which the could command The prac-
tical history of submarine telegraphs dates
from the successful submersion of the cable
between Dover and Calais, in 1851, and ad-
vantage has been taken of whatever instruc-
tion this history could furnish or suggest.
Oi the submarine cables heretofore laid
down, without enumerating others, it may
be interesting to mention that the one be-
tween Dover and Calais weighs six tons to
the mile the wire laid from Narna to
Bllaclava, and used during the late war
less than three hundred weight to the mile,
while the weight of the cable decided on for
the Atlantic Telegraph, is between nineteen
hundred weight and one ton to the mile
This cable, to use the words of DR.. White
house, 'is the results of many months Of
thought, experiment and trial. Hundreds
of specimens have been made, comprising
every variety of form, size. and structure,
and capabilities and the result has been
the adoption of this, which we know 70
possess all the properties rec"'
these in far higher 4 .,red. md
that haA -egree than any cable
yet been laid. Its fexibility is
such as to make it as manageable as a small
line and its strength lsuch that it will
bear, in water ov er, six miles of its own
weight suspended vertically" The con-
Quoting medium consists not of one single
straight copper wire, but of seven wires Of
copper of the best quality twisted round
each other spirally and capable of undergo
ing great tension without injury. This
conductor is then enveloped in three sepa-
rate coverings of gutta percha of the best
quality, forming the core of the cable round
which tarred hemp is wrapped, and over
this, the outside covering, consisting of
eighteen strands of the best quality of iron
wire each stand composed of seven dis
tlnct wires, twisted spirally, in the most
approved manner, by machinery specially
adapted to the purpose. The attempt to
insulate more than one conducting wire or
medium would not only have increased the
chances of failure Of all Of them. but would
have necessitated the adoption of a proper
tionally heavier and more cumbrous cable
The tensile power of the outer or wire COW
ering of the cable being very much less
than that OF the conductor within it. the
latter Is consequently prote cted from any
such strain as can possibly rupture it or
endanger its insulation without an entire
fracture of the Gable.
The construction of the Cable is being
superintended with the closest vigilance
by DR.. Whtehouse, who stands in the first
rank of men in the science of electricity.
and by Mr.. Bright, the Chief Engineer of
the Company, who has had great practical
experience in Electric Ielegraphs. With
these gentlemen, under whom several trusty
are employed day and
night, Professor Morse and Professor
Thompson of Glasgow for some time past
have been in constant communication, af-
fording further guarantee of the faithful
performance of the work.
sCBNERsloN AND PRAcriCABILITY OF TELE-
GRAPHING THROUGH THE CABLE.
The submersion of the cable will be eff
fected about the end of July, or early in
August, that period of the year which in
the uuiNJ,l vApviiouOo Of si.ipmastvls tas
shewn IN the valuable Storm and Rain
Charts, recently published by Lieutenant
Maury, embracing the observations Of
3Gj,292 days. proves the North Atlantic
to be in its quietest mood. Two large steam
ships will each of them take on board one
half, or about thirteen hundred miles of the
cable, and accompanied by steamers for the
purpose fplloting and assisting, will pro-
coed to point in the ocean, midway be-
tween Ireland and Newfoundland, and there
joining the two ends of the cable, and tcst-
ing the security of the junction, will COM
mence the process of submersiOn one part
of the expedition proceeding towards Va
lentia Bay, Ireland, and the other towards
Trinity Bay, in Newfoundland /; meanwhile
constantly communicating with each other
through the entire length of the cable.
1t has been assumed that there will be a
great strain on the cable in paying it out
To obviate the possibility of any injurious
strain, and in order to pay out the cable in
a ratio of speed greater than that of the
ship, machinery peculiarly fitted for the
purpose has been provided, together with
appliances for measuring the relative speed
of the ship and cable, and for indicating
with precision, at all times, the force Of the
strain The large size of the ships to be
employed and their comparative freedom
from the agitation to which smaller vessels
would be subjected the peculiar strength
and he1ibility of the cable the coiling of it
on board so as to prevent twisting and
kinking in paying out ; with other appli-
ances, to which | need not here particularly
refer, leave little room for doubt in the
minds of those best entitled to form an
opinion on the subject, that the cable can
and will be laid down without fracture or
injury.
1t has been demonstrated by Professor
Morse, that on moderate computation, as
many as IA 400 words can be telegraphed
over the Atlantic Gable in every 2i hours !,
and improvements have lately been made
and satisfactorily tested, which it is conf
IDENTIFY believed, will render it practicable to
transmit at least 80 900 words in the same
time. From the difference in longitude of
the centres in commerce of the two Ilemis-
pheres, as well as from the amount of busi-
ness confidently anticipated, it will be nee
essary to keep the Telegraph in constant
operation day and night. Now, assuming
300 working days in the year, this would,
at the price charged per word from London
to New York, yield, after making all rea-
sonable deductions and all allowances to
other lines, q net profit sufficient to satisfy
the most sanguine expectations.
Owing to the skill and experience brought
to bear on the enterprise and the confidence
entertained in the practical men under
whose supervision it is being carried out,
Insurance Companies of high standing are
willing to insure the laying of the cable -
That the laying of the cable will be perse-
vcrcd in until successfully accomplished,
there can be no question for the exclusive
privileges and guarantees themselves,
which the Companies have obtained are, in
the opinion of those most competent to
Judge, OF more value than the whole capital
required to manufacture tho cable and to
submerge it in the Sea.
! cannot conclude without gratefully re-
terring to the warm interest which both
the United States and British Govern
ments have taken in the promotion Of the
success of the enterprise and, more par
ticularly in addition to the liberal pecuni
airy and other encouragement extended to it
the placing at the service of the Company
the best steamships in the navies of the two
countries, for the laying down the cable.
CYRUS W. FIELD