Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-06-15

breaks to relieve it. This is accomplished
BY dynameter placed OF, the cable after IL
leaves the paying -out machine and before
iepasses over the wheel astern into the
Atlantic. This dynameter is only heavy
wheel resting on the rope, but fixed in an
upright frame, which allows it to slide
freely up and down and on this frame are
mar ked thelfgqres which show exactly the
strain 10 pounds on the cable. Thus, when
the strain is low, the cable slackeus, and
tAs dynameteF sinks low with il, when on
the contrary, the strain is great the oabIs
Is drawn "tsut," and on it the dynameter
rises to its tull height. Wheu it sinks too
low, the cabelis generally running away
TOO tastI and the breaks have to be applied
TO check It; when, on the contrary, it rises
rapidly the tension is dangerous, and the
.orakes have, 70 be almost opened to relieve
It, The simplicity of the arrangement tor
opening and shutting the brakes is the most
beautiful of all. Opposite the dynameter
is placed a tiller- wheel, and the man in
chargsof this never let's 1t go nor slackens
his attention for an instant, but Watches
the rise and fall Of the Jdynameter aa
sailor at the wheel watches his compass
a single movement of this Wheel to the
right puts the brakes on, a turn to the left
opens them. A good and experienced
brakeman will generally contrive to avoid
either extreme. of a. high or low strain.
though there are few duties connected with
the hyiog of submafine cables which are
more anxious and more responsible while
they last than those Connected with the
management of the brakes. The whole
machine yesterday worked beautifully, and
with SO little friction that when the brakes
were removed q weight of 200 lbs, was
sufficient to draw the cable through it.
In order to guard against any possible
sources of accident, every preparation has
been made in case of the worst, and, in ths
event of very bad weather, for cutting the
cable adrift and buoyipgit. For this purl
pose wire rope Of great strength and no
less than five miles long, having distinc.
tive mark at every one hundred fathoms
will be taken ip the Great Eastern. This,
OF course, is only carried in case of despe.
rate eVentualities arising, aud in the earn
est hope that not an inch of 1t will ever be
required. II, unfortunately, its services
should be wanted, the cable would be firm!
" made fast 70 its extremity and 30 mapy
hundred fathoms of the wire rope accord.
ing to the. depthjo of water the cable was In
measured out. To the other end of the
rope an immense buoy would be attached,
and the whole then cut adrift and left TO
itselt TIL better weather. In the experi-
mental cruises which were undertaken be-
lore tue starting OF the last Atlantic expe.
oitlon this attempt at buoying the cable
was. often tried in the deep water of the
Bay OF Biscay, but never with any great
successs, andiu very deep water itWould
be most forforn hope indeed to try it at
all. q = - : : :
After going all over the works yesterday,
aud inspecting all the apparatus, the visi.
tors left the buildings shortly before six
o'oloekS and were entertained by theTdirec-
tors of the Telegraph ,eompany at albanl
qnet at the Ship at Greenwich. when "Suc.
cess to the Atlantic Telegraph" was drunk
with the utmost enthusiasm. -