The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-10-21

| Valencia Bay on the 5th day of August. After
335 miles of the cable had been laid, it parted IN
| consequence of an injudicious application OF the
brakes to the paying out machinery.
Though this first attempt TO lay the great
Ocean Telegraph was a disappointment, yet the
naorIe on 10th sides of the Atlantic had a firm
faith in the accomplishment of the enterprise at
some future period; and the directors OF the
Atlantic Telegraph Company, nothing daunted
by the first failure of their great enterprise, at
once commenced preparations for a SECOND Tx
petition, and no time has been fruitlessly spent
in carrying them out.
Accordingly, early in the fall OF 1907 the
Company held a series of meetings, at which
many notifications and Improvements, suggested
by the first unsuccessful attempt, were brought
under discussion. The result OF these con-
ferences, was a thorough revision of their former
plan, and the adoption of a new one, the leading
features of which were
1. Junction of the Telegraphic Cable in mid
ocean.
2. The provision of a greater length of Cable.
8. The selection of an earlier season OF the
year.
4. An improvement in the paying-out machin-
cry.
A second attempt having been determined
upon, the Niagara in the meantime visited New
York, and having undergone the necessary re-
pairs, was again detailed for this purpose. while
Majesty's Government again assigned the
Agamenncn to the service of the Company, and
issued orders to the paddle-wheel steamers palor-
Gus and Gordon TO accompany the expedition as
tenders. The Gordon acted subsequently as ten
der to the Niagara, and the Vdlo'Ous waited
upon the AgdnemnOn. In March, 1898, the
feet being in readiness, and the Company having
provided an additional supply of Telegraphic
Cable, nothing remained but to proceed with the
preparations for the sailing of the fleet. The
slowing of the cable on board the two vessels,
was then commenced at Keyham Docks. and was
conducted with great care. 1t was finished on
the 18th day Of May, at which time there was
about 1900 miles of cable on board each ship.
The shipment having been completed, the Niagara
and Aganernnon sailed for Queenstown, Ireland,
on Saturday, May Goth.
After a few days spent in experimental trips,
the Second Telegraphic Expedition sailed from
Plymouth for the rendezvous in mid-Ocean, on
Thursday, June 10. The Niagara and Agamem-
non were attended by Her Britanic Majesty's
steamers Goryon and Valorous.
The announcement of the departure of the
Expedition, revived the anxiety with which every
step of this grand enterprise has been received by
the public during the period of the first attempt:
Tidings from the feet were awaited in painful
suspense. Meanwhile, a stormier June than has
been known on the Atlantic for many years,
inspired fears for the result. Days passed away,
and still no news came. Weeks fed, and yet no
tidings were received until at last the unwelcome
news came, that the mishaps of wind and weather
had proved disastrous to the expedition. Three
distinct trials had been made, and all unsuccess-
fully. The vessels then returned to Queenstown,
the Niagara arriving on the 9Th of July, and the
Aganemnon one week later.
Immediately after the return of the Telegraphic
Fleet, the Directors of the Company in England
held a special meeting, to take into consideration
the expediency of making another attempt. A
sufficient amounet of cable still remaining perfect,
on board the Niagara and Agar emnon, and the
months of July and August being considered a
suitable season, another trial iUds resolred upon.
and the expedition sailed on the morning of Sum
day. the 18th of July last.
On the afternoon of Thurdav, August 9Th, the
startling intelligence reached this city, that the
SUBMARINE CABLE HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY LAID,
and that the line was in perfect working order.
The welcome news could scarcely be credited. I'M
til fully corroborated by subsequent dispatches.
The public has since been gratifed with full
extracts from the log. as kept during the pro-
gress of the laying of the cable, by Cyrus W.
Field. Esq. who has been the master-spirit of the
enterprise, and identified with it from the begin
ming. 1t is peculiarly gratifying to Americans,
that this enterprise was first conceived In this
country. In spite of all the objections urged
against it, a small company of New York CAPT.
talists persevered with a determination that was
proof against all Encouragement. Had they sue
cumbed, the world would in all probability have
been deprived of this great boon; for the numer-
Gus disasters and the enormous loss of capital,
would have prevented q renewal of the enterprise,
until a very distant future.
The work is done. 1t is no wonder that popu-
lar enthusiasm has been raised to fever heat by
this achievement, as glorious as it is unexpected
one destined to result in incalculable benefits
to all mankInd.-N. II. Register.