The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-08-02
The Atlantic Cable.
spEcuLaTIoSs AND sueGrsnoss.

~--~~s
Capt. G.. Edge, Of the British Navy,
writes to the London Times IN rela-
ton to the Atlantic telegraph as fol-
lows:
The question has frequently been
put to me: "Do you not think the
atlantic cable is likely to meet emf
nences in the sea between which it
might EN- Tin suspended; or to pass
over steep cliffs Of rocks, by which,.
either fro n its weightor from chafng,
it mis BIT be rendered unserviceable ~
TO tn of these questions I would
answer, it is possible; for might IL
lnstrate soundings on different parts
gf the westerncoast Of Ireland where
the, lead has, suddenly dropped from.
three fathoms into twenty, from eight
into eighty, and from forty into Sc
ventylfour. Now, such uneven depths
would produce the results surmised,
but believe the track marked out
for The site of the cable will be pretty,
clear from such Irregularities Of bot
tom, as this portion OF the coast of
Ireland was very minutely surveyed
by myself, both prior, and subseqent-
ly to the laying Of the frst telegraph
cable. / would, however, suggest,
as precaution to preserve the cable
in its position in comparatively shall
low water, that mornings be laid
down in about sixty fathoms, extend.
ing to the southwest and northwest,
between which the Great Eastern
should pass, dropping the electric
cable midway, where boat should
be placed to secure the ends Of the
hempenscables, the two nlooring ca.
bles being previously united-the op.
serationiof connecting the telegraph
wire would be but few minutes
work, when all should be allowed to
sink. toithe bottom This position
would be insthe meridian Of the Froze
rocks (outer Blasket) longitude 10
deg. Al min west, latitude 81 deg.
So min. north, a central position be.
tween the Baskets and Skellig
rocks. . 1870 - 49, 60
!, The value I attach to the mornings
is to allow the telegraph cable suffici-
ent time OF permanence to become
undecided in various substances
through whichsit may have to pass,
which from inspection of the charts
find to be principally fine muddy sand.
The hempen cables Of mooring would
in course of time decay, butstill their
strength and durability would be suf,
aficient for the purpose intended. l@a
4 think such preparation necessa
'ry, for we know that one Of the great
ocean currents sets in from the south
west. impinging on the southwestern
coast of Ireland. This, in addition
to the constant southwest gales Of
winter, might by possibility have a
tendency to.roll the cable over, and
bring it intofoul ground in The vicin,
ity Of the Baskets. Fl, @ a45a
f'q This spot, then, Of sixty fathoms
would rlecome % fulcrum, or fixed
point in the cable, to the westward Of
which the water would gradually III
crease in depth, and place the tele
graph wire beyond all influence OF
tides, or from effect of long contin
! ued winter gales. I have thus, sir,
as briefly as possible, feeling a yer,
considerable amount Of interest in tht
present undertaking, probably from
old associations with the first attempt
placed a suggestion your hands
which. perhaps, might be entertained
by those having much at stake, ane
who might, when tits too late, gregre
that some such idea as the presen
had not been takeninto consideration
pogl have the honor to be, sir, you
obedient servant, Ct a'H I =
Y ADoIpHus 9. EDYr, Captain Z, N,
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