The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-07-26
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH-OFFICIA RE-
PORT OF CAPTAIN HUDS0N-ANOTHER
ATTEMPT TO BE MADE
U. s. STEAM FRIGATE NTAGADA,

U. 5. STEAM FR1GArE NIAGARA,
Queenstown, (lreland,) July Sth, 1858.
Sm:-l am somewhat mortified and disappointed
to report the arrival of the Niagara at this port on
the 9TH instant after three unsuccessful attempts at
laying down the teegraphic cable
My last dispatch, of the 10th ult., informed YOU
that the squadron were off Plymouth harbor bound
to the appointed rendezvous for uniting and run
ming out the telegraphic cable
During the first three four days of our passage
we had calms and light variable winds; the follow
ing eight days almost continuous gales from the
west to the S. W. and the greater part of the time
heavy sea- when tle weather again moderated and
vessels, which had separated during the gales
met together at the rendezvous the 18th, the
Agamemnon having shifted about hundred
miles of the upper portion Of the cable on her main
hold tier during the gale, which portion they were
engaged in running to the gun-deck when fell in
with them.
On the 2Gth Saturday we commenced our oper-
atl0ns by securing the Niagara and Agamemnon to-
gether, stern to, with hawsers splicing the cable
and easing it down gradually with two hundred
fathoms paid out from each ship; the hawser let 20
by signal and the ships separated retrospective
courses at the rate of three-fourths of mile the
hour. When we had paid out two miles and forty
fathoms, shown by our indicator, the cable being
hauled in the wrong direction through the excite
ment or carelessness of one of the stationed by
it, caught and parted in the Niagaras machinery
heavy fog and mist had set in soon after the ships
separated. We were fortunate enough, however,
to get together again in short time. Splice lower
down the cable and separate from each other be-
fore stated. The Niagara's speed at starting was
short of one mile the hour and gradually increased
to two knots six tathoms up to o'clock, p NJ, and
the cable being paid out threeand-a half knots per
hour; and from that hour till midnight a uniform
speed maintained of three-and- ahalf miles the
hour, and the cable was paid out, shown by the
indicator of four -and-a-half miles the hour.
Our machinery was working well as we could
desire, cable running from the coils and going
it with ease and regularity, when to our great
IN n
on the 9th, (Sunday,) the electricians reported
that there had been no signals from the Agamem-
non for the last ten minutes. We kept going on
slowly, as previously agreed upon until LAO, :,
lin the mean time the electricians tested the cable
in the ship and reported the continuity and nsula-
tiOns perfect when the ships headway entire
ly stopped and We commenced heaving in with the
machinery. The cable parted at 4.56, a. NJ, and
we lost on this occasion, measured by the indica
tor AZ miles 300 tathOms of cable, and started for
the rendezvous, where on Monday, the 28th, the
Agamemnon and Niagara were secured together
the splice made lowered down, and the ships sena-
rated, has been already described, at 7.30, p. m
Our speed for the first hour was only three-quarters
Of a mile; second hour, p miles, third hour, 3
miles; and the fourth hour 81 miles. From that
time until ten minutes after o'clock on Tuesday
evening, the 29th (when ceased to get signals
from the Agamemnon, and the engines showed
down. the speed of the ship had been four and
half miles the hour, and the cable paid out five
and half miles the hour, as shown by the indi-
Gator.
The engines were stopped at 10 P. NJ, and the
ship hung in a measure by the cable until twenty
minutes after midnight, when it parted the indica-
tor showing loss this occasion of l45 miles $50
fathoms of the cable. Our electricians again thor
oughly tested all the cable board ship, and found
the insulation and continuity all perfect and there
was but one opinion among those gentlemen, that
the cable parted at or near the Agamemnon, which
we shall ascertain when she arrives at this port to
fill up her coal
An arrangement had been made, when the ships
separated the 2Sh instant, that in the event of any
accident to the cable before either should have run
one hundred miles, to return to the rendez-
yous unite the cable, and make another effort To Law
it out: if beyond that distance the vessels were to
proceed to Queenstown, fill up with coal and again
renew our efforts.
In the Niagara we had all the coal that we
CURED for laying down our part of the cable
There were serious doubts, however if we ran fur
ther,, or any distance beyond the one named,
whether the Agamemnon's coal would hold out
without any expenditure in getting back TO the
rendezyous) and leave her enough to insure steam
ing back to Valentia Bay with the cable III he event
of no further casualty to it on the way tnere
Mr.. Everetts machinery has Paid out the caoie
with apparent ease and uniformity oil strain, ana
we find it admirably adapted to the work 1T has to
perform in all its parts.