The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-24

TEW YORK HERALD, TIE
Ths Atlantic Telegraph Enterpxise.
We publish elsewhere the concluding portion
of our account Of the preparations for the
eecond attempt to lay the telegraph cable eorsss
the Atlantic, and Of the circumstances under
which the company Perseveres in its original
design. Should the enterprise prove success
full, this narrative will at once become history
Of the highest Importance; should it fail, the
story will still remain faithful picture of one
of the most persevering and ingenious efforts
ever made by the hand of man.
1t is to be presumed that the Atlantic Tele-
graph feet may be heard from by the first of
next month. Should all 60 right, by or about
that day 1t is possible that a message may be
transmitted from London to New York; even If
some accident has happened, if the cable has
broken after the vessels have reached soundings
of two hundred fathoms, or il, after paying out
certain quantity Of cable, electrical communi-
cation ceased, the vessels may still arrive
about LIST July, at their respective destinations
the one in Newfoundland, the other in Ire
land. Within week or ten days the chances
are that the public will know the truth-what-
ever that may prove to be.
The reasons for supposing that the expe-
riment will be more successful this year
than it was last may be briefly stated.
The entire machinery for laying the cable
was then defective-brakes, indicators and
wheels; all were not what was needed; they
were put on board the ships in hurry, without
trial, and naturally failed in their purpose when
put to the test. This year the entire machi-
nery-the fruit of experience and combined
mechanical skill-has been made with the ut
most care, and has been thoroughly tried in the
Bay of Biscay. Every part is pronounced to be
perfect. Last year the operation was under the
charge of Mr.. Bright, whose capacity for the
task is generally questioned, and to whose NAL
adroitness the failure Of last year was ascribed
This year Mr.. Bright has charge of but half the
operation. he superintends on board the Aga
memnon; Mr.. Everett has charge on board the
Niagara. Last year, with 30 little caution was
the work undertaken, that had the cable been
laid it is almost certain that no one would have
year this part of the question has been fully
tested; and though DR.. Whitehouse's expert
ments have not been particularly successful
Mr.. Hughes, with his process, has been enabled
to send three, and-as we learn from another
source-as many as seven words through the
entire length of cable in minute. In word,
men, machinery and methods have all been i'm
proved during the twelvemonth which has
elapsed since they last endeavored to unite the
two continents; it is fair to conclude that their
chances of success are better.
At the same time, and while every mans
wishes and hopes for the success of the enter
prise are 60 strong as to almost render it pain
full to listen to any suggestion of doubt or diff
Guilty, ii is but right that few grave obstacles
should be kept in view.
The first great doubt which attends the en-.
terprise relates to the transmissibility of the
electrical fluid through two thousand miles of
submerged wire. 1t is proved that the spark
can be transmitted through this length of wire
on land; but will it travel as well when this
wire is at the bottom of the sea? This can
only be ascertained by experiment. Previous
experiments-as, for instance, the success Of the
submarine wires In the Black Sea and the Medi-
terranean-a afford no reliable criterion for an
experiment with a wire five and ten times as
long as those used in these cases. The principle
can only be ELECTED from practice.
The danger of breaking the wire is very
great No submarine wire has ever yet been
laid successfully without some such accident
unless the wire to Newfoundland, which was
was broken several times before il was laid.
And it was ominous that on the recent trial trip
Of the Atlantic telegraph feet in the Bay of
Biscay, the wire snapped very quickly. True
II was piece of old cable, known to DO weak;
II is to be hoped that no parts Of the cable To
be used this year are in the same condition, and
that no oxidation has been suffered to take
place. 1t is also to be hoped that Mr.. Bright
the late engineer Of the expedition, and now
the engineer Of the operations on board the
Agamemnon, viii conduct his operations and
organize his force in such manner as not TO
lay himself open TO charge Of having twice
defeated the aims Of the expedition by his in
capacity.
AT any rate, few days will now decide. If
the operation fails it lies over for another
year-perbaps for another company. That il
will be persevered in, in spite of failures how
ever frequent and accidents however deplora-
ble-until IL is an accomplished fact-there is
no more room to doubt than that the sun shines
overhead.
FREE HYDRAsrs.-A "Citizen Taxpayer"