The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-11
WA che Asi.stlc T.sexr aph Pay,


Now thst all uncertainty as to the etfectud
Isying Of the submarine telegraph ia dispelled.
the next great question asked on all sides is (:
Can It be operated with 80 much rapidity as to
make 1t a pay ing institution So fer az expert
ments have gone that problem still remains IN
solved. But the difficulties that haye been
already overcome give assurance that whatever
prs ent difficulties may present themselves to
the instantaneous transmission of messages
from continent to continent, they viii be in like
manner successfully grappied with aud over
ccme.
While the cable that was discharged from the
Niagara and Agamemnon after the failure Of
the first attempt was lying at Keyham, an ex-
pensive series of experiments was tried to as
certain the velocity with which words could be
transmitted tbroughit. These experiments were
conducted by Mr.. Whitehouse, the electrician Of
the company, at an expense, we believe, Of
some 100000. The result was not very en-
coursglDg to the prospects of the company.
1t appeared that but seventeen words in
eighteen minutes-or, cay word q minute
ccu'd be effectually transmitted. By the appli-
cation, however, of Hughes instrument, that
rate of transmission was quadrupled. Suisse
quently, according to report then published
in the London Times, Mr.. Whitehouse succeeded
in sending five words per minute through 1900
miles of cable, and expected that eight words
could be transmitted with ease and certainty.
Whether the result 30 stated to have been at
tanned, or that expected to be attained, was or
will be actually realized, is somewhat doubtful.
We incline to the belief that there has been
considerable exaggeration INDUCED INF some
where in regard to these experiments. We do
not think that Mr.. Whitehouse ever succeeded
in sending five words per minute through the
cable at Keyham; and it is question whether
the submersion of the cable at the bottom of
the Atlantic ocean will expedite or retard the
passage of the electric current.
On this will depend the answer to the ques.
ton: Will the Atlantic telegraph pay?
II the average rate of transmission by the
English instruments should not exceed one word
per minute then it could not at the tariff pro-
posed be very profitable concern. Assuming
that the line was kept constantly operated for
the whole twenty -four hours of day, and that
the tariff of prices was dollar per word charg-
ing for address, date, &C., the gross receipts
would only amount to 81, 440 per day, or little
over half million year. But as it would not
be likely to do more than half that amount of
business, the receipts would probably reach no
higher than quarter of q million year, which
would leave only some $4,000 above the in
terest of the capital invested to 60 toward ga.
laries, expenses, wear and tear, &c. SO that at
that rate of transmission and that tariff the line
would be very far from proving remunerative
to its stockholders.
II, however, by the use of the Hughes or
come other instrument yet to be invented, the
rate Of transmission should be as high as five
words per minute, the gross annual receipts, at
full work, would be two millions and half
year, and at half work q million and quarter
or, not charging for address or date, say mil
lion dollars year. 1t Is needless to say how
immense the profits to the stockholders would
be, even at the lower Of these two computations
when it is recollected that there are but two
Offices to be kept up and that there will be no
expense arising out of repairs The maximum
rate of transmission over the submarine line be-
tween Europe and Africa is only four words per
minute and that rate can be attained by but
one operator. With the rest, the rate is from
two and half to three words per minute
Should it turn out that from the immense
pressure on the cable, or from the use of inefli-
cient instruments, but one word per minute can
be transmitted over the Atlantic telegraph,
then the company might see itself compelled
to fix the tariff at four or Eve dol
lars q word-no definite arrangement
having been yet made on that point.
Let messages be transmitted, however, at the
rate Of five words per minute, and the receipts
Of one year will be equal to thlrty-three per
cent Of the capital Of the company.
We presume that one of the next movements
in connection with the subject will be the ex-
tension Of the line from Trinity Bay TO New
York, by the most direct route over land and
under water, or else the laying of another line
direct to this city from Europe. The necessities
of commerce will soon lead to such q move
ment; and we hope that Mr.. Field will be one
of the first TO give the matter bis attention.